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Overview
In small towns between the North Carolina Piedmont and the coast the best scenery is often in the sky. On flat sweeps of red clay and scrub pine the days move monotonously, safely, but above, in the blink of an eye, dangerous clouds can boil out of all four corners of the sky...The flat slow land starts to shiver and anything can happen.
In such a storm, on Annie Peregrine's seventh birthday, her father gave her the airplane and minutes later drove out of her life. Thus begins an enchanting novel that bursts with energy from the first pages, and sweeps you off on a journey of unforgettable characters, hilarious encounters, and haunting secrets.
The Four Corners of the Sky is master storyteller Michael Malone's new novel of love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of families. Malone brings characters to life as only he can, exploring the questions that defy easy answers: Is love a choice or a calling? Why do the ties of family bind so tightly? And is forgiveness a gift to others...or a gift we give ourselves?
Praise for The Four Corners of the Sky
'There's humor and action aplenty, but Four Corners is also a warm-hearted look at how we love and forgive. Five hundred and forty-four pages never seemed so short."People magazine 4-Star Review
"Devoted Michael Malone fans have been waiting more than twenty years for another Handling Sin, perhaps the greatest road novel since Tom Jones. The wait is over..."
Bill Ott, editor-in-chief, Booklist
"Secrets and intrigues among the honeysuckle: a sun-washed yarn of the New South, affectionately told."
-Kirkus starred review
"The Four Corners of the Sky is the best thing I have read in years and you can imagine how much I read. Truly, I couldn't put it down. I loved it."
Kathy Ashton, The King's English Bookshop
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Synopsis
For the first time since Handling Sin, a riveting novel of love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of family, from master author Michael Malone.
The Washington Post - Michael Dirda
This is a fabulously entertaining novel. It's probably a trifle too long, the plot contains a number of improbabilities and it's easy enough to guess at least a couple of the revelations toward the book's end. But you know what? None of this matters. Michael Malone's prose—as smooth as a con man's patter—hooks you on the first page, and you're not going anywhere after that, except to your favorite reading chair or backyard hammock or vacation beach blanket. Malone possesses the only gift—according to Vladimir Nabokov—that a writer really needs: Shamantsvo, the ability to cast a spell, to enchant.
Editorials
Michael Dirda
This is a fabulously entertaining novel. It's probably a trifle too long, the plot contains a number of improbabilities and it's easy enough to guess at least a couple of the revelations toward the book's end. But you know what? None of this matters. Michael Malone's prose—as smooth as a con man's patter—hooks you on the first page, and you're not going anywhere after that, except to your favorite reading chair or backyard hammock or vacation beach blanket. Malone possesses the only gift—according to Vladimir Nabokov—that a writer really needs: Shamantsvo, the ability to cast a spell, to enchant.—The Washington Post
Publishers Weekly
A daredevil pilot heads out on a wild goose chase and learns to slow down and enjoy life in Malone's (The Last Noel) exuberant but ultimately unwieldy 10th novel. After years of accompanying her con artist father on his exploits, seven-year-old Annie is left on the family's North Carolina farm with her aunt Sam. Annie relishes the stability, but still craves excitement as she grows up, learning to fly the single-engine plane her father left her and becoming a navy fighter pilot. When her father calls years later, he claims that he's dying and needs her help with one last escapade. She agrees-in exchange for the name of the mother she's never known. Annie travels to St. Louis, Mo.; Miami; and Cuba in the service of her elusive father, meeting quirky eccentrics along the way, including her one true love. Bizarre coincidences, caricatured criminals and characters who spurt groan-worthy puns, classic movie lines and Shakespeare quotes in place of meaningful dialogue keep the novel teetering toward the absurd. The novel's ambitious blend of humor, mystery, adventure and sentimentality can be as exhausting as Annie's fast-paced flights. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Library Journal
Navy pilot Annie P. Goode comes home for her 26th birthday to her doting aunt and uncle in Emerald, NC, exactly where her con man father, Jack Peregrine, left her 19 years earlier. But Jack's urgent message that he's dying and needs Annie to fly his old Piper Warrior to St. Louis upends her life. Annie agrees, hoping finally to learn the name of her mother. In a week's time, Annie finds herself in St. Louis, Miami, and Havana, always a step behind Jack, as everyone seeks a golden, gem-encrusted "Queen of the Sea" statue (think The Maltese Falcon). Malone (The Last Noel) employs his trademark cast of characters and wry humor, including using titles of old movies for his 55 chapters. This long novel could have used some serious editing, and a love scene or two between Annie and her Sergeant Hart would have been a welcome relief from the extensive Peregrine family history and the overuse of the f word. Purchase where Malone has an established following.
—Rebecca Kelm
Kirkus Reviews
A long but satisfying tale of crime and death foretold that blends hints of The Great Santini, Top Gun and Fried Green Tomatoes with copious draughts of Shakespeare. Annie Peregrine Goode-a charged name, that-is a tough customer, but easy on the eyes. (Isn't that always the way?) So when a leering buffoon, rebuffed, steals a bit of tomato from her guacamole and makes Hannibal Lecter noises with it by way of expressing contempt, she is not at all above grabbing his wrist and "compressing nerves with an accuracy that the Navy had taught her." Well, the Navy is nothing if not thorough, and Annie, a flight instructor at Annapolis with a need for speed-beg pardon, a "passion for velocity"-in vehicles of every description, is prepared for just about any eventuality except for the sudden reappearance of her deadbeat dad, who gave her a model airplane when she was but a little girl and then split from their Carolina home. Malone (Theater Studies and English/Duke Univ.; The Last Noel, 2002, etc.) knows that the small-town South is a subject all unto itself, and no matter how eccentric the characters, they're wholly believable in that context-the kind who, say, board up windows in advance of a hurricane and then settle in for a film festival in the basement. ("Les Diaboliques. Clouzot. I've got a great print.") The amiably meandering narrative picks up speed-"Go, Annie P. Goode!"-when Dad reappears, now apparently dying. Peppering his pages with funny conversations, learned references to the Bard and keenly observed apercus about family life, memory, forgiveness and all the puzzling ways that love and friendship can twist and turn, Malone delivers a tale that takes a little long to tell but thatpays off nicely in the end. Secrets and intrigues among the honeysuckle: a sun-washed yarn of the New South, affectionately told.Armchair Interviews
This could be a fun book for a book group to dissect because of its variety of people, motives and of course the mystery and intrigue, which I won't spoil by discussing here. I would give it a strong positive recommendation.— Beth Cummings
Booklist
Devoted Michael Malone fans have been waiting more than 20 years for another Handling Sin, perhaps the greatest road novel since Tom Jones. The wait is over.BookLoons.com
The Four Corners of the Sky is a story, filled with adventure, love and family secrets, and starring larger than life characters. It is a very satisfying read.— Joan Burton
BookPage
"Malone's latest brims with humor and pathos-it's an engaging, multifaceted saga touting the power of love and family to overcome all, even a lifetime of apparent neglect."Books are My Only Friends
This is one for those who want a giant, crazy story in which to sink themselves.— Tripp Ritter
Booksie's Blog
Characterization is Malone's strong point, but there is plot and subplot aplenty. This book is recommended for anyone wanting a great read or interested in family relationships.— Sandie Kirkland
Carpe Libris Reviews
The Four Corners of the Sky is suspenseful, humorous, and filled with mystery... Michael Malone gives us a host of unforgettable characters, both dramatic and humorous, and a plot that will keep you guessing right up to the end.— Diane Kidman
Diary of an Eccentric
The Four Corners of the Sky touches upon what it means to be a family, learning to love and to forgive. Despite the book's length, I enjoyed the bit of mystery and watching the characters grow from their experiences. Malone is a talented writer...— Anna Horner
Grace's Book Blog
I was engaged in The Four Corners of the Sky from the moment I picked it up.— Grace Loiacano
Grumpy Dan's Journal
[A]n ambitious novel about family dynamics and the bonds that hold them together.— Dan Karpf
I Just Finished
There are so many exciting characters that take you along for the ride of your life... I loved the storyline and it was beautifully toldLibrary Queue
[T]his is fun read if you like action-thriller type books with some good character development thrown in.— Tricia Seguine
Lori's Book Den
I found the book a very entertaining read... filled with deceit, love, Navy, and the FBI! Be sure to check this one out when you can.— Lori Noe
Savvy Verse & Wit
[A] highly enjoyable ride... Readers will enjoy the plot twists and revelations.— Serena Cox-Augusto
The Review From Here
This is the type of novel that shouldn't be rushed, as each of the characters has so much to offer. The writing and development of the story is so unique and well done I will make sure to rush out and get more by this author. This book is highly recommended!— Tracee Gleichner
The Tome Traveller's Weblog
I thought the characters were interesting and the bonds of their relationships felt sweet and true. They were well rounded and flawed in various ways which made them all the more lovable.— Carey Anderson
You Don't Say
There are intrigues within intrigues, mysteries and family secrets, and the whole improbable set of twists and turns is, as in so many novels, a voyage of self-discovery for the heroine.— John McIntyre