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Under the Rainbow
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
12 posts | 13 read | 20 to read
The arrival of a group on a social mission upends the lives and beliefs of residents and outsiders alike, in this wry, embracing novel. In the small town of Big Burr, Kansas, ministers warn that "Satan was the first to demand equal rights," a lesbian-owned bed and breakfast mysteriously burns to the ground, and casually bigoted social media posts are the norm. But when a national nonprofit labels Big Burr "the most homophobic town in America" and sends in a task force in a Real World-style experiment - as residents for two years, they'll attempt to broaden hearts and minds - no one is truly prepared for the other. Avery desperately wants to fit in with her new high school classmates, but with her "lesbian crusader" mom running the task force, she's terrified that it's only a matter of time until she's outed. Across town, Linda tries to escape her grief over her son's death by befriending the arrivals, who know mercifully little about her past. But to Christine, profoundly attached to the carefully orchestrated rhythms of Big Burr life, they are not only a threat but a call to action. As tensions roil the town, cratering relationships and forcing closely guarded secrets into the light, local and interloper alike are forced to consider what it really means to belong. Told with warmth and wit, in a chorus of unexpected voices, Under the Rainbow is a poignant articulation of our complicated humanity that reminds us we are more alike than we'd like to admit.
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HeatherBookNerd
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Pickpick

When Big Burr, Kansas is named the most homophobic town in the country, a group of LGBT activists set out to live there for two years with the hope of educating and encouraging acceptance in the community. Each chapter of the book showcases a different townsperson‘s experience, giving a view of the many ways the characters are affected by the changes - the good and the bad. An interesting way to tell the story. Liked it a lot.

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Victoriahoperose
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Pickpick

This was definitely not what I expected, but it was excellent and a book I think everyone should read. It really shows a side to the struggles of the LGBTQ community that is dark, but important to see. Each chapter was a different character and perspective and I thought this was done perfectly. I was hoping for more at the end. It felt a little rushed, but overall, I thought this was really well written and interesting.

34 likes1 stack add
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ManyWordsLater
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
Pickpick

This book was wonderful. The story is about the town. So it‘s told by different members of the community to provide a fuller picture. Although no one was that surprising of a character. (Except maybe Elise)

nice easy read.

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ManyWordsLater
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Spring colors from my library books. Excited for all the outdoor reading in the near future.

#socialdistance #spring #covid19 #getvaccinated #stopthespread #wearamask #publichealth

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Jen2
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this book!!!!

71 likes1 stack add
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BookishMarginalia
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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The guardian of the #BookHaul - #TrickyCat #CatsofLitsy

gradcat Lovely! 💕 4y
BookNAround Tricky Cat is so gorgeous. 4y
tracey38 Beautiful cat! 4y
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Skeebies05 He and my Lycan are twinsies!! 🐱 4y
Leftcoastzen 😻 4y
rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 4y
Bette ❤️🐱 what a beauty 4y
ShelleyBooksie Stunning!! 4y
Gissy So cute and pretty!😻❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4y
136 likes9 comments
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shaynarae
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Pickpick

This was a sweet book. An LGBTQ task force comes to the most homophobic town in the US for 2 years, and each chapter is narrated by a different character in that town. It‘s a bit too flat to seem real for me, but the exploration of the impact of sexuality and gender roles in social situations was worthwhile. #catsoflitsy

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LiteraryinLawrence
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Pickpick

This had an interesting premise with strong writing, and I would read the next book this author writes. The book itself could have been better though. I wish it had focused more on one or just a few key characters from the town because it felt a little disconnected. The good thing is that the author makes you care about each person narrating, but then you might only hear what happens to them in passing in a future chapter, or not at all.

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Well-ReadNeck
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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Delightful community focused novel about a town named the most homophobic in America. A group of LGBTQ activists move in. #arc #edelweiss

83 likes2 stack adds
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ReadingEnvy
Under the Rainbow | Celia Laskey
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When Big Burr, Kansas is named the most homophobic place in America, a group of activists moves in to try to make a difference. The novel starts from the perspective of one of their children, and moves from there to others in the town and in the group. Laskey captures the pressures of small town life and the destructive nature of homophobia, but also the beauty of embracing your true self or learning to accept your neighbor. ⤵️

ReadingEnvy My only slight quibble was as a reader, connecting with a narrator and then losing the internal perspective of their story. I still feel concerned for Avery and Zach, and want to know what happened with that billboard lady! 4y
krausr That‘s what I am enjoying about it the most — the varied perspectives. I feel like I am learning not only about the people, but the town as a whole. 4y
ReadingEnvy @krausr I feel like the author connected me to them which made me want to stay with them, good writing. 4y
LiteraryinLawrence @ReadingEnvy I just finished this, and the shifting of perspective was my one complaint as well. It sort of felt like a strong collection of related short stories rather than a cohesive novel. Any of the stories could have been fleshed out into an entire book because the writing was really good! 4y
ReadingEnvy @LiteraryinLititz I agree. I would definitely read the author:s next book. 4y
61 likes3 stack adds5 comments