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Iola O
Iola Boggs escapes a small-minded village and is proud to become a non-combat pilot during World War II. Iola meets Jim Lewis, who never served in the war but contributed in his own way to the war effort. They marry in post-war Philadelphia and raise a family against the backdrop of the paranoid era of McCarthyism. Their differences and a need for fulfillment propels them away from each other. Illicit liaisons and grief bring them life-changing insights.
270 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2019
About the author
G.M. Monks
1 book48 followersG. M. Monks recently moved to Pennsylvania from California where she grew up. Her work has been published in Birdland Journal, The Hunger, Vine Leaves Literary Journal, The RavensPerch, Kaaterskill Basin Literary Journal, Kansas City Voices, Alehouse, and elsewhere. Awards with publication include: one of two finalists in the 2020 Breakwater Review Fiction Contest, and runner-up in the 2016 Big Wonderful Press Funny Poem contest. She was a finalist in the Arts and Letters 2020 Unclassifiables Fiction Contest and she received an honorable mention in the 2016 New Millennium Writings Award competition. Bedazzled Ink published her debut novel and nominated it for the 2020 PEN/Hemingway Award for New Fiction and the Commonwealth Club of California First Work of Fiction prize. For more about her, please visit gmmonks.blog.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 21, 2019
G.M. Monks will be having a launch party at Bounty Books in Vacaville on April 13th from noon to 3pm.
The author has shared with us some of her book. I believe this is going to be a fantastic read, and she has quite the sense of humor. This book is about self discovery, resilience, and diversity.
The author has shared with us some of her book. I believe this is going to be a fantastic read, and she has quite the sense of humor. This book is about self discovery, resilience, and diversity.
January 7, 2020
Iola Boggs is a rare and appealing character, spirited and spunky. She not only longs to escape a confining narrow minded home and culture, but she pulls it off – she escapes the South and becomes a pilot during World War II. But once the war is over she is replaced by male pilots and has to face a world with limited options for women. The novel tells the story of her search for herself in the context of a marriage to Jim Lewis, a man who likewise doesn’t fit the mold. They marry in post-war Philadelphia and raise a family in the restrictive and politically conservative McCarthy era. Although they care for each other, their differences of politics and personality pull them away from each other as each searches separately for fulfillment. The story is told in alternating points of view, and both characters are well drawn, though it is Iola who will most win your heart. G. M. Monk writes with economy and grace, and has a distinct, witty, and unique voice. Iola O is a remarkable and rewarding read.
January 2, 2021
‘A girl flying a plane? That’s pure crazy.’ – Resilience and persistence
California author G.M. Monks is a recognized author of stories, both fiction and creative nonfiction, and poems that have received publication and honors in several significant anthologies. IOLA O is her debut novel publication.
The author addresses, and incorporates into her fine writing, several concepts that are currently in primary focus: feminism and #HerTime and gender studies. Couple these with her sensitive recreation of life in America in the 1950s – that period when those topics were in nascent form - and the result is a novel that is not only highly entertaining as a story, but also a stimulus to reflect on where we’ve been and where we are now.
Providing backdrop scenery and mood establishment for the tale that follows, Monks opens the novel in 1931, in a small Tennessee town as we meet Iola Boggs, the central heroine: ‘The house was calm for no one else was awake, Out the window, the dawn’s light had just touched the treetops. But my mind was a mile way where there was a whole different world. Nothing could discourage me. Not if ordered to remove a dead rat form the woodpile, not if berated, not if I got only bread and water for breakfast. Having a need was exciting because I knew I could fill it as soon as I dealt with the obstacles – if I let go of my pride.’ In that brief preface, the stature of the mature Iola is suggested and her story flows freely as the novel expands on her life.
Capturing the main foci of the book, the summary provided succeeds: ‘Iola Boggs escapes a small-minded village and is proud that she becomes a non-combat pilot during World War II. Iola meets Jim Lewis, who helps the war effort at home. They marry in post-war Philadelphia and raise a family against the backdrop of the paranoid era of Joseph McCarthy. Their differences, plus a need for fulfillment, propels them away from each other. Illicit liaisons and grief bring them life-changing insights. Part historical, part family saga, Iola’s story is of resilience, diversity, and self-discovery.’
The solid growth of Iola Boggs includes her ‘marriage of convenience’ with Jim Lewis, a closeted gay man, and the bond between them is secured by their three children. The manner in which Jim is presented is as accurate and sensitive as the author’s portrait of Iola, and throughout the novel the story is related from each primary character’s perspective and perception.
The result – a polished novel of depth and insight into motive and goals and self-discovery and resilience. This is a very impressive debut novel from a gifted writer. Recommended.
California author G.M. Monks is a recognized author of stories, both fiction and creative nonfiction, and poems that have received publication and honors in several significant anthologies. IOLA O is her debut novel publication.
The author addresses, and incorporates into her fine writing, several concepts that are currently in primary focus: feminism and #HerTime and gender studies. Couple these with her sensitive recreation of life in America in the 1950s – that period when those topics were in nascent form - and the result is a novel that is not only highly entertaining as a story, but also a stimulus to reflect on where we’ve been and where we are now.
Providing backdrop scenery and mood establishment for the tale that follows, Monks opens the novel in 1931, in a small Tennessee town as we meet Iola Boggs, the central heroine: ‘The house was calm for no one else was awake, Out the window, the dawn’s light had just touched the treetops. But my mind was a mile way where there was a whole different world. Nothing could discourage me. Not if ordered to remove a dead rat form the woodpile, not if berated, not if I got only bread and water for breakfast. Having a need was exciting because I knew I could fill it as soon as I dealt with the obstacles – if I let go of my pride.’ In that brief preface, the stature of the mature Iola is suggested and her story flows freely as the novel expands on her life.
Capturing the main foci of the book, the summary provided succeeds: ‘Iola Boggs escapes a small-minded village and is proud that she becomes a non-combat pilot during World War II. Iola meets Jim Lewis, who helps the war effort at home. They marry in post-war Philadelphia and raise a family against the backdrop of the paranoid era of Joseph McCarthy. Their differences, plus a need for fulfillment, propels them away from each other. Illicit liaisons and grief bring them life-changing insights. Part historical, part family saga, Iola’s story is of resilience, diversity, and self-discovery.’
The solid growth of Iola Boggs includes her ‘marriage of convenience’ with Jim Lewis, a closeted gay man, and the bond between them is secured by their three children. The manner in which Jim is presented is as accurate and sensitive as the author’s portrait of Iola, and throughout the novel the story is related from each primary character’s perspective and perception.
The result – a polished novel of depth and insight into motive and goals and self-discovery and resilience. This is a very impressive debut novel from a gifted writer. Recommended.
January 13, 2021
Iola escapes small-town life to live her dream of becoming a pilot, but after she is laid off at the end of the Second World War her life follows a more conventional path, expected of women during the 1950s. When she meets Jim - a closeted homosexual - they marry and have children, but as life happens they drift apart. Lola is focused on reliving her pilot dream and Jim struggles with living a lie.
The narrative switches between the two characters, which keeps the novel flowing. It’s witty, sad, upsetting, and hopeful. The strength in this novel really is with the characters, they are flawed, troubles, but so relatable. The love they have for each other - although not perhaps the love they were hoping for - is beautiful and real. A wonderfully written novel with echos of Jonathan Franzen.
The narrative switches between the two characters, which keeps the novel flowing. It’s witty, sad, upsetting, and hopeful. The strength in this novel really is with the characters, they are flawed, troubles, but so relatable. The love they have for each other - although not perhaps the love they were hoping for - is beautiful and real. A wonderfully written novel with echos of Jonathan Franzen.
February 17, 2021
Thought provoking.
February 17, 2021
Extraordinary and gripping story.
February 17, 2021
One of the best books for a rainy evening of reading!
February 17, 2021
Well written with a great story!
February 18, 2021
Most enjoyable book I’ve read in ages!
February 18, 2021
Extraordinary and spellbinding characters.
February 18, 2021
Extraordinary and enjoyable story.
February 18, 2021
Mind-blowing story!
February 18, 2021
Utterly beautiful story.
February 18, 2021
Exciting novel, wonderful plot.
February 18, 2021
Amazing characters.
February 18, 2021
Extraordinary and enjoyable plot.
February 18, 2021
Beautiful writing.
February 18, 2021
Amazing book for a rainy evening of reading.
March 28, 2020
The characters were difficult for me to identify with. The beginning left large gaps. The rest dragged in many places. The ending was satisfying and sweet
February 16, 2021
Captivating Story. Clever and unpredictable characters.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews