Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio is a deeply resonant, beautifully written exploration of motherhood, individuality, and the complexities of family life. In Hildy Halverson, Giorgio has created a character who embodies both strength and vulnerability as she navigates her journey as a mother, wife, and woman. Hildy’s decision to raise a family, despite societal pressures to pursue a groundbreaking career in science, is both courageous and tender, showcasing the beauty and sacrifice inherent in motherhood.
The novel’s structure, where each child is introduced through Hildy's quiet words of encouragement—“You can be whatever you want to be, and whatever you want to be will be great”—provides a touching glimpse into each child’s unique path. Giorgio skillfully weaves these narratives with insight and empathy, capturing the intricate ways in which Hildy’s influence shapes her children, even as she aims to give them freedom to choose their own destinies.
An undercurrent of sorrow weaves through the story with the loss of Hildy’s sixth child, adding depth to the novel’s emotional landscape. This grief, subtly explored and ever-present, enhances the story's authenticity, illustrating the myriad ways loss can shape and shadow a family. Giorgio captures the many faces of motherhood—joy, exhaustion, fulfillment, and heartache—creating a rich, relatable, and powerful narrative.
Don't Let Me Keep You is an emotional novel that readers will savor and remember long after the final page. It’s a testament to the enduring impact of a mother’s love, the quiet yet profound influence of family, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go.
More About Don't Let Me Keep You
Motherhood is a symphony, from the first movement, through crescendo after crescendo, to the finale.
Hildy Halverson, a genius in math and science, is pushed by her parents to step into a male-dominated field and change the world for women. But Hildy, enamored of the scientific force of the human body, and her own body’s ability to create and sustain life, decides to go against contemporary expectations. She marries young and raises a houseful of kids.
Hildy wants her children to choose their own life paths. As each child is born, she tells them, “You can be whatever you want to be, and whatever you want to be will be great.” Despite her efforts to not influence her children, Hildy does so, often in unexpected ways. Each child is introduced in that first private moment between Hildy and her new baby. This is followed by a chapter revealing that child’s life, years later. Woven throughout is an underlying grief over the death of the sixth baby soon after birth. That grief is more pervasive than any of them expect.
In this ambitious novel, the struggles and joys, fatigue and exhilaration of motherhood, are captured in the full panorama of family life. Hildy lovingly raises her children, then lets them go, finding herself along the way.
Publisher: Black Rose Publishing (October 3, 2024)
Print length: 230 pages
Reviews
Don’t Let Me Keep You is a lyrical meditation on motherhood seven times over, gestating, unfurling with rhythmic, poignant prose. Over decades we see each of the Halversons through the eyes of the others, bringing into sharp focus how differently each member can experience the same family. The way children protect their mothers, the way mothers remain children themselves, and what a mess we can still make of things despite our best intentions. That we can choose to love each other regardless of who we turn out to be, no matter what.
–Maggie Ginsberg, author of Still True
Don’t Let Me Keep You follows a math prodigy’s unconventional and slightly obsessive journey through motherhood. Giorgio’s dynamic characters and complex emotional bonds turn this family saga into a propulsive page turner wherein motherhood as a career is an empowering choice. At once gritty, heartbreaking, and hopeful, Don’t Let Me Keep You shows the fallibility of the human condition through the haunting eyes of a mother’s love as she struggles with the age-old question, Am I a good mother?
--Marisa Rae Dondlinger, author of Open and Come And Get Me
The thing I love about Kathie Giorgio's books are the surprises. Her books are not like anyone's. They are fresh, unique, and wonderful. Don't Let Me Keep You is all that and more. This is a story about motherhood, childhood and family. Belonging, expectations, and the enduring power of love. Of course, because this is Kathie's novel, there is poetry, and vignettes. A cast of characters worth knowing. And many opportunities to reflect on our lives as parents and children. I highly recommend Don't Let Me Keep You.
--Karen E. Osborne, Author of True Grace and Reckonings
With delightful finesse, author Kathie Giorgio weaves a flawless web of family love that weathers plenty of storms, but still comes out shimmering.
--Mary Ann Noe, author of Water the Color of Slate
Purchase a copy of Don’t Let Me Keep You on:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Me-Keep-You/dp/1685134882
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-let-me-keep-you-kathie-giorgio/1145428066
Black Rose Publishing: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/womens/p/dontletmekeepyou
You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211567748-don-t-let-me-keep-you
About Author Kathie Giorgio
Kathie Giorgio is the author of a total of fifteen books: eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry collections. She’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association, the Silver Pen Award for Literary Excellence, the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, and the Eric Hoffer Award In Fiction. Her poem “Light” won runner-up in the 2021 Rosebud Magazine Poetry Prize, and her work has also been incorporated into many visual art and musical events. Kathie is the director and founder of AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop LLC, an international creative writing studio.
Follow Kathie at:
Website: http://www.kathiegiorgio.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathiegiorgioauthor/
X/Twitter: @KathieGiorgio
Instagram: @kathiegio1
Follow Kathie's WOW! Blog Tour
October 21st @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Kathie Giorgio's novel Don't Let Me Keep You. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
October 22nd @ Tracey Lampley
Kathie Giorgio reveals how she had 15 books published with traditional publishers in 14 years, including her latest Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://www.traceylampley.com/guest-author-interviews
October 24th @ What Is This Book About
Get a peek inside Don't Let Me Keep You with today's excerpt.
October 25th @ The Frugalista Mom
Rochie will be reviewing Kathie Giorgio's latest novel Don't Let Me Keep You.
October 26th @ A Wonderful World of Books
Author Kathie Giorgio writes about controversial books and the hurdles they face in today's post: You've Been Banned. Now What?
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
October 29th @ Michelle Cornish
Learn what Michelle thinks about Kathie Giorgio's latest novel: Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews
October 30th @ Create Write Now!
Is Writer's Block real? Learn what author Kathie Giorgio has to say today on CreateWriteNow!
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
October 31st @ The Frugalista Mom
In a complicated world, author Kathie Giorgio shares how she takes on controversial topics in her writing.
November 1st @ Michelle Cornish
Author Kathie Giorgio shares the challenges of writing through illness and crisis.
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
November 4th @ A Story Book World
What's on your TBR list for November? Learn more about Kathie Giorgio's latest novel Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
November 5th @ Chapter Break
Kathie Giorgio writes about the precarious balancing act of writing and raising children.
November 7th @ Knotty Needle
Still deciding on your November read? Check out today's review of Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
November 8th @ Word Magic
Author Kathie Giorgio shares her thoughts on writing as a business.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com
November 12th @ The Faerie Review
The spotlight is on Kathie Giorgio's latest novel, Don't Let Me Keep You.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com
November 13th @ Words by Webb
Jodi is reviewing Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
November 15th @ Choices
Author Kathie Giorgio writes about Depression: Putting One Foot in Front of the Other.
November 19th @ StoreyBook Reviews
Looking for a good book for the Thanksgiving holiday? Leslie is reviewing Don't Let Me Keep You by Kathie Giorgio.
https://www.storeybookreviews.com
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