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Reviews
I think of two words as I read Cristina’s work: tribute and celebration. All that she writes is a tribute to, and celebration of, life. --
BSR
Powerful and poignant prose and poetry. The imagery is so vivid that I feel I’m sitting next to her as she tells stories that could be my stories. -- LMG
Brown Paper Bag is a real gift because it says things I’ve felt, but could not find words to say.
-- AP
I’ve never liked poetry because it’s too obscure. But the poems of Cristina Isaia are beautiful in their simplicity. Suddenly, I’m discovering that poetry can be pleasure.
--CMP
Poignant and engaging. She writes my stories in words I can’t express. LM
Breathtaking. Bravo. Thumbs up. You should be very proud. AW
I can’t put it down, and I’m only on page 50. This will be Christmas gifts! RW
I looked up from reading and saw my wife, son and daughter reading their copies. We each like different things. What an accomplishment. RR
It engages me, it draws me in. I can’t put it down. Fabulous! DG
You are an amazing writer JF
J-- was very kind to me and gave me a copy of your book last fall. I’ve enjoyed it, especially Sailing on the Tartan Ten (my first boat), and your poems! M T
Since my last e-msg I finally took delivery on your marvelous "Brown Paper Bag". For starters on a substantial discussion with you re: you and BPB, please know that reading BPB (and reading into it) has changed you for me, and has changed me for me too. (I suspect you are, in fact, a Tinkerbelle clone, capable of stardust!) BP
I’ve been thinking about this email for about a week, ever since I started reading your book. When I got your email announcing the “launch” of the book I immediately read the reviews/comments and was interested in the content, more because I “know” you than anything else. It’s always interesting to connect something like that with an actual person. As I mentioned to you, it was on my Santa list because again, I was curious…more about you and your writing and less about the story….that would just be an added bonus.
Well.
I don’t even know where to begin, especially since we barely know one another. First, I think I want to start with courage. I cannot believe how deeply personal the collection is… to throw it out there for all the world to see…. I think that is so brave and so amazing.
Second, the writing style is beautiful. I truly appreciate the lyricism of your writing. Of course with the poetry, but also with everything else. The flow captures and engages and there is a natural rhythm to your work that “fits”. I know it is constructed so that it can be opened anywhere and enjoyed. I see that, but my personality dictates that I must start at page one, and finish at the back cover. I was tempted to just jump into the bag, to see what that experience would be like, but I am so glad I didn’t do that. Though it isn’t a story in terms of Chapter 1,2, etc., the collection in totality most certainly tells a story and experiencing that story leads me to #3.
Third, I have never been as emotionally exhausted as I am when I read your book. I am a voracious reader, a fast reader, a consumptive reader. I sat down with what I thought to be a quick read and have yet to complete it… it was like living through it with you.
The next day, I sat down refreshed and interested in what was next. There were beautiful poems about love and life and hope and again, it was like someone most dear to me was being taken away from me. Your book is creating an incredible experience for me. Finally, after a few days of this, and still having the same reaction, I realized I needed to do some work on myself to figure out what was going on. Was I sad for you? Was I sad about the subject matter? Was I PMS-ing? What was going on?
I am extremely introspective, and your book triggered something in me that I needed to better understand. I did a lot of work on this over the past week and then sat down to share it with some people that are very close to me. I still have yet to finish your book, I can only read it in small increments but it’s okay.
Your book is a beautiful collection of hope and fear and loss and loneliness and connection and hope and power. It has been a tremendous gift to me and I cannot thank you enough…
It has had such a tremendous impact on me that I have purchased 7 additional copies for 7 women in my life that I think need to have this book. I have no expectation of their experience with the book or their reaction to it, but I feel very strongly that it is a message that I must share. These 7 women are friends, family, and a few things in between that are all over the globe. Seven letters and seven copies will be going out this weekend.
Thank you for such a beautiful gift. AF
I’ve never written a note to a published author before…
I received your special copy in its special brown paper bag in good order. Now I’ve read it “from start to end” as the back jacket suggests.
You moved me. I had no idea what to expect. I certainly did not expect to react with strong emotion. But you moved me.
Your pieces related to the passing of a brother, father and mother are particularly poignant. “To Say Goodbye,” “Red Sweater,” “Her Yellow Coat,” “Christmas Presence,” “That is Mary,”, “The Grandmother,” and “The Desk” brought tears.
“J--” lives in your writing. Your snapshots of the mother and dad capture my memories of my own parents, and aunts/uncles. I’m certain that those who inspire these pieces would be very, very proud of you. And the brother: proud of you too, but if I read correctly the sister’s relation to him, he would have appreciated your work on a deeper, special level.
Well done. You make me very proud JP
From Amazon Reviews By KM
BROWN PAPER BAG is an outstanding work of fiction that is poignant, humorous, and captivating. Cristina Isaia is a marvelous story teller who engages the reader from the first page. The story unfolds in a unique way through a collection of short stories, letters, poems, and other wonderful surprises. With each turn of a page, I became engaged in the lives of the characters as I discovered many shared experiences. Isaia is a master of imagery, and what first appears to be ordinary truly becomes extraordinary as I was transported into the story itself through graceful and descriptive language that engaged my spirit and imagination. This is a book I will share with others!
From Barnes & Nobles Reviews
March 28, 2008: What an incredible surprise! What I thought would be a nice little collection of prose and poetry, each piece independent of the other, turned out to be far more complex and entertaining. While each vignette or poem can stand on its own merit, they are actually linked along with the songs and, yes, even recipes. The scenes are so vividly written, one easily visualizes exactly what the author is describing. This is an excellent read for nature lovers and home bodies alike.
From Barnes & Nobles Reviews
February 02, 2008: A friend, knowing that my taste in literature is more expansive than 'macho', recommended this as something I might enjoy during my holiday travels. She was right. Isaia has a great knack and ability for painting word pictures of what many others have seen and lived through. If the reader is willing to be honest with
themselves the snapshots are not mauldin but real, personal,
insightful and cathartic.. The snippets of poetry and the recipes that she includes give give a lot of additional warmth and feeling to the life
moments she bares to us. I enjoyed reading her work and appreciate her ability to help me recall what should be some of the more memorial
moments in my life.
From Barnes & Nobles Reviews
December 3, 2007, 11:46 AM EST: A engaging and unfiltered review of the human emotions of
life, love and loss. This book will cause you to pause and reflect on your own journey, your own triumphs and your own grief in a way that inspires the soul.
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