Elizabeth Berg, bestselling author of The Art of Mending and The Year of Pleasures, has a rare talent for revealing her characters’ hearts and minds in a manner that makes us empathize completely. Her new novel, We Are All Welcome Here, features three women, each struggling against overwhelming odds for her own kind of freedom.

It is the summer of 1964. In Tupelo, Mississippi, the town of Elvis’s birth, tensions are mounting over civil-rights demonstrations occurring ever more frequently–and violently–across the state. But in Paige Dunn’s small, ramshackle house, there are more immediate concerns. Challenged by the effects of the polio she contracted during her last month of pregnancy, Paige is nonetheless determined to live as normal a life as possible and to raise her daughter, Diana, in the way she sees fit–with the support of her tough-talking black caregiver, Peacie.

Diana is trying in her own fashion to live a normal life. As a fourteen-year-old, she wants to make money for clothes and magazines, to slough off the authority of her mother and Peacie, to figure out the puzzle that is boys, and to escape the oppressiveness she sees everywhere in her small town. What she can never escape, however, is the way her life is markedly different from others’. Nor can she escape her ongoing responsibility to assist in caring for her mother. Paige Dunn is attractive, charming, intelligent, and lively, but her needs are great–and relentless.

As the summer unfolds, hate and adversity will visit this modest home. Despite the difficulties thrust upon them, each of the women will find her own path to independence, understanding, and peace. And Diana’s mother, so mightily compromised, will end up giving her daughter an extraordinary gift few parents could match.

Upon first reading this wonderful story of Medical care, Psychology & Beauty I became saddened. I wondered how it could become more compelling? As got the teenager Dianna who had been born in her mother's Iron Lung, I noted she came to be the narrator. Her Mother, Paige could only move her head requiring the continual respirator and personal care day and night.

Her care-givers were Peacie a loving black woman during the day. Mrs Gruder at night along with Diana, who always awakened during the early hours to her Mother's voice. Every few weeks the Social Worker Susan, came by to check on Peacie, Paige & Diana. It was during those times that Peacie & Diana lied about who was taking care of Paige during the night.

Each person expressed their feelings of love and cocer for each other. I noted the author's use of psychology in the relationships of Diana & her friend, Suralee. They created plays about their neighbors, enemies and shop owners related to their parents.

Iris Johanson created a sub-plot of Civil Rights' marches which LaRue & Li'l Bit joined for voters' rights! Crucial times were all contrasted with the peacefulness of Paige, Peacie & Diana. Not long after this the family was forced to find new care-takers.

When I came to the surprise ending, Paige is able to enter College and graduate. There are hopeful scenes of "redemptive beauty" as Paige comes to "see the light everywhere!" In spite of all her obstacles she succeeds in seeing the inner beauty of life! With gratitude,
Retired Chaplan Fred W Hood

I picked this up off the discount table at the bookstore, was headed out for summer vacation and it looked like an interesting read for the beach. I have to say I don't normally read this author but the premise for this book sounded interesting to me. I was not dissappointed, really enjoyed the story and when I realized it was based loosely on a women's real past history, that just made it even more interesting. It was a quick read, which will leave you somewhat sad, and wondering how would I have dealt with something like this.

I love this book - and I haven't been a particular fan of Elizabeth Berg. Great on detail, but not a particularly good storyteller. However, someone gave this to me and I read it in two sittings. Absolutely riveting and (the best part)- the greatest ending ever (Don't peek!!!) Totally out of the blue and perfect. The character of the girl (the narrator) is the most "true to life" since Frankie in Carson McCuller's "Member of the Wedding." Wonderful, the best.

Wow - this book is just too sad. Not that I dislike sad books because there are many that are so beautifully tragic, but this story was so hard to endure because it was very dark and depressing. I felt so badly for the characters, especially knowing that they were loosely based on true people. Still, anytime I read an Elizabeth Berg book, I marvel at how very well-written they are, and this one is no exception. Attention to detail is inpeccible, as always, and the characters are drawn so well that the reader feels as though they are friends/neighbors.

Although fiction, the book was based on a real situation as suggested by a reader. I think knowing that lends credibility to the amazing strength of Paige's character. For me, the various relationships between the central characters made the book especially interesting because they exhibited such different types of love and commitment. For example, it was fairly obvious that Diana loved her mother and vice versa, yet the strong affection that Peacie and Diana had for each other was less obvious as they always appeared to be at odds. Also enjoyable were the escapades of Diana and her girlfriend Suralee as they put on plays for the community and experienced an evening with some local boys. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.