The World Against Her Skin

The World Against her Skin is an extraordinary work, written by a mature, highly published author. John Thorndike defines his book as a “Son’s Novel,” a hybrid memoir/novel or “biographical novel.” It is his endeavor to know his mother, as he openly states in his “Author’s Note, “I want to know ever......more

Having read "The Last of his Mind" this book completes the story of both parents. A tragedy and yet a celebration of his mother's life, The World Against Her Skin tied back to the factual elements of John's prior book about his dad and then adds wonderful twists and turns. I loved reading about the......more

I connected with the author through a shared appreciation of the author of Living Poor, Moritz Thomsen. He also reviewed Thomsen’s book Bad News from a Black Coast, and it was so good I asked to include it in a novel I’m working on about the influence of Moritz Thomsen on other writers, and he agree......more

The World Against Her Skin is an absorbing, thought-provoking work inspired by author John Thorndike’s need to learn more about his mother—the woman who, motivated by passionate sensual desire, left his father when John was still an adolescent. His search has resulted in a work that explores the bou......more

In this book , the passion, the addictions, the depression, the different generations, the sexual and love relationships are reallistically and subtly described, with never any judgment. We love how deep Thorndike digs into the characters, how he tells us about the highs and lows, searching with us f......more