Zetty
Zetty
Zetty is the powerful story of a mother lost to a rare form of Schizophrenia, and a daughter’s quest to find her. It begins in 1963 when Marjorie McGee suddenly disappears from her home, leaving nine-year-old Zetty motherless and confused. In alternating points of view, the story follows the lives of both mother and daughter as Marjorie’s mental illness progresses, and Zetty’s hope for her return diminishes. But at seventeen, Zetty wants answers. She finds herself in a circle of unconventional women—opinionated, endearing, courageous and keen-eyed women—who offer Zetty their heart and backbone. As unexpected friendships form, Zetty begins an emotional, psychological and spiritual journey in search of her mother—never imagining the joy and tragedy yet to come, the undeniable power of early childhood bonds, and the secret that will change their lives forever.
Awards for Zetty
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More about Zetty from Debra Whiting Alexander
Zetty was inspired by my maternal grandmother who died in a psychiatric hospital at the age of 41. It was important to me to shine a light on the stigma of mental illness through this story, especially in the 1960’s and 70’s when this novel takes place. My grandmother’s life experience was a powerful one; she suffered the consequences of a stigmatizing mental illness in the 1940’s. And even though the story isn’t about her, she was important inspiration that kept me going as I labored over this book for fourteen years! It was also important to me to write about the challenges of despair. Trauma is a part of life, but not all of it. The idea that joy can coexist alongside tragedy is a message we don’t often hear or believe. I wanted Zetty to address this idea and other points of view that empower us. That’s what keeps me uplifted and excited about writing.
My grandmother, Adelaide Gehl Peterson
(Photo collage created by Corinne Marie)
Praise for A River for Gemma
“A RIVER FOR GEMMA is a poignant and heartfelt story with a propulsive mystery flowing just underneath its surface. The beauty of its relationships makes you want to hold this family, and the people they love, close forever. Alexander created a world I did not want to leave. I couldn’t put this book down…”
~ Audrey Burges,
Award-winning author and humorist
“…. rich, rewarding and deliciously raucous, exploring the themes of mental health, faith and how loss is, indeed, the cost of love. Good books convince us of such deep truths, and Alexander succeeds in doing just that.”
~Bob Welch,
Award-winning journalist and author
“A RIVER FOR GEMMA brings us an unconventionally bright and daring heroine to challenge our ingrained perspectives on disability and capability. A much-needed story for our times, compassionate and well told.”
~Ellen Notbohm,
Award-winning author
“…Full of engaging characters, and beautiful descriptive Oregon scenery vividly capturing the changes in seasons, A RIVER FOR GEMMA is an uplifting, hopeful, and a delightfully escapist read.”
~Lainey Cameron,
Best-selling author
“A RIVER FOR GEMMA offers a hefty dose of drama and tension with a superb conclusion. With a thread of mystery, this story keeps readers turning pages.”
~Carmen Peone,
Award-winning author
“…Debra Whiting Alexander writes with a passionate, descriptive hand that exudes color and she defies pat categorization of her characters, instead celebrating their strengths…a breath of fresh air…a sterling story of love…recommended as inspirational reading for a wide audience.”
~D. Donovan,
Senior Reviewer
Midwest Book Review
“Rarely have we read a book which brought us to our feet, cheering for three very different, extremely brave characters. Each faces their own individual challenges—for different though valid reasons. Each stands on their own and the reader is better for knowing them. This is a truly exceptional book. Based on a scale of 1-5, A RIVER FOR GEMMA deserves an 8. Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Entertaining, Funny, Great World Building, Haunting, Inspirational, Page-Turner, Realistic, Tear-Jerker, Unpredictable, Wonderful Characters”.
~Kat Henry Doran,
Wild Women Reviews
What readers are saying:
"The story challenges stereotypes of both intellectual disability and female aging—two subjects whose time has come. Great job!”
“Once again, Alexander creates characters that remain with me….”
“…The universality of things that connect all of us as humans comes through vibrantly—the urge for parenthood and the resistance against being denied it, the right of everyone to experience love and sexuality…”
“Gorgeous, descriptive writing…”
Praise for Zetty
“Rilke, the 19th Century poet, once wrote of longing for the landscape of his mother’s face. Zetty brings us that longing and the joyous quenching as we journey with a young girl whose mother was stolen from her by mental illness. But Zetty learns that mothers can be stolen in many ways. In the midst of sorrow, Debra Whiting Alexander gives us laughter, singular characters, fresh images, wild friendships, wisdom and most of all, love. Zetty is a master piece of heartache and joy, the very stuff of life. Read with tissue at hand.”
—Jane Kirkpatrick
New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and award-winning author of All She Left Behind
“The funny and poignant journey of Zetty, a young girl aching for her mother, who circumstances have ripped away from her. Propelled into adulthood with an independent spirit and a fierce determination, she tries to unravel the mystery of what happened to the mother and family she lost. Alexander keeps the reader invested in Zetty’s story with humor and pathos—a real page-turner and a heartwarming story of a daughter’s love.”
—Janice Carr
Television Production Supervisor, “Santa Clarita Diet”
“This is a brave story—plumbing the existential life of the schizophrenic and the reality of those who love them. Alexander writes with the prowess of heart.”
—Danuta Pfeiffer
Eric Hoffer Finalist and award-winning author for Chiseled, A Memoir of identity, Duplicity and Divine Wine
“I can’t remember when I was so pleasantly surprised by a novel…Zetty unfolded like one of those Olympic gymnastics routines where some unknown is suddenly hitting every move and the crowd realizes they’re amidst something special. Frankly, I loved everything about this book: the story, the inspiration and the writing itself…I can’t sing the praises of Zetty loudly enough…a story that’s stayed with me long after I closed the back cover. Bravo, Zetty. Bravo, Alexander.”
—Bob Welch
Award-winning journalist for The Register-Guard and award-winning author of more than twenty books including, American Nightingale and Pebble in the Water
“SPELLBINDING. This writer has an incredible gift of description. Every detail can be seen, felt, and lived along with each of the characters. There is aspiration, heartbreak, friendship, longing, jubilation, and inspiration on every page of this novel. And I couldn’t wait to read each and every one of them to know what would happen next to all in Zetty’s world. This book is truly a treasure—deeply moving, enlightening, and exquisitely memorable.”
~ Rhoda Weber
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
What readers are saying:
“An Important and exquisitely written novel…”
“…beautifully composed…readers will fall in love and cry their eyes out. I did.”
“…original and strong…Zetty’s spirit truly touches my heart.”
“…The literary world is gaining a superb author…”
“…compelling, absorbing, and beautifully crafted story!”
“Zetty stays with you, long after you put it down.”
“This is a story that held me in its grip all the way through…”
“…a great read that becomes a part of you.”
“…a wise and uplifting story that I didn’t want to end.”
“…Beautifully written with sensitivity…This is a wonderful story about human resilience, compassion and love…”
And more….