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We Are All Welcome Here Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,690 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"This was a very short novel and yet it packed a powerful message. It takes place in the South during the Civil Rights unrest of the 60s and that piece of history is woven through the story. The interesting characters consist of a mom in an iron lung, due to contacting polio when she was pregnant with her now 13 year old daughter. A very unconventional family, but probably more of a true family than most people have in their own homes. The fact that it is based on a real person makes it pack more of a wallop."
— Su (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
We Are All Welcome Here Listener Reviews
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" This book is fantastic. It is based on the true story of a woman who contracted polio while pregnant and gave birth to her daughter in an iron lung. She was paralyzed from the neck down! the story is told from her daughter's point of view during her 13th summer down south in 1954 Mississippi. I've always had a thing foir Elizabeth Berg's writiing, and this is a great one! "
— Allison, 2/18/2014 -
" Loved this book. Well written, tackles issues of disability and race in the early 60's. A less treacly The Help. "
— Cambria, 2/12/2014 -
" This story was basic with average characters. I have read many of Berg's books and would not recommend this one. "
— Collette, 2/5/2014 -
" I like Elizabeth Berg's books in general, but this one disappointed because of its fairy tale ending. Too slick, too easy. Still a good book and enjoyable to read. "
— Lois, 1/28/2014 -
" I ususally really like Elizabeth Berg, but this one was a disappointment. Didn't love the characters and the ending was just too trite. Elvis shows up and saves the day? I couldn't buy it. "
— Kirstin, 1/16/2014 -
" Nice book to read in one day. Very good story with good message "
— Shellie, 1/14/2014 -
" This book has the backdrop of the civil rights movement in the South in the 1960s. The characters are unforgetable. I do wish it had included more of the history of the day though. "
— Bob, 12/13/2013 -
" Not my favorite Elizabeth Berg, though she still gets some things about growing up just spot on. It was good, just not great. "
— Julie, 10/24/2013 -
" Very powerful, moving, and heart-wrenching story of a mother immobilized by an iron lung and her teenage daughter who has to grow up very fast in her circumstances. The mother-daughter relationship is amazing. Elizabeth Berg never lets me down. "
— ☮Karen, 10/22/2013 -
" Very good, touching story of a daughter and her mother trying to figure things out in their unusual situation. Liked the way it was written. "
— Alyssa, 10/18/2013 -
" SO GOOD! different kind of story, and really thought-provoking. "
— Chayse, 9/29/2013 -
" i really enjoyed this book. there was a sex scene in it and i thought it was very unnecessary but apart from that it is a great read. i love Elizabeth Berg's writing. i will definitely be picking up some more of her books. "
— Julie, 6/9/2013 -
" I liked the premise of the book. However, the ending was just a little to full of conveniences. I felt like that author got tired of writing and took a really cheap ending. It would have easily been a 4 star book but the ending left me with a sour taste in my mouth. "
— Elisa, 4/26/2013 -
" This book was hard to get through. The voice is very young, but the encounters and experiences are not, so it was a strange mix for me. It was a fast read that was tied up into a neat little package at the end, which means it falls into the category of an okay book, but an awful ending. "
— Katie, 4/22/2013 -
" another chic book, but worth reading. About love and friendship between a mother and daughter. "
— Sunny, 4/10/2013 -
" Despite the unlikely storyline, I could not put this book down. Berg's ability to use voice is strong in this piece, lending to a well-written story where I felt like I knew (and loved) the characters. "
— Michele, 12/14/2012 -
" A really sweet book that causes one to think and remember. "
— Hahnenkratt2, 10/3/2012 -
" Quite interesting story of a woman completely paralyzed due to polio who is still managing to raise her daughter. "
— Betsy, 8/3/2012 -
" This was a very compelling book until the end. I felt like the author tried to hard to tie everything up neatly in the last chapter or two. It's still worth reading. The characters are well done and the story is great. I just wish the ending had been a little stronger. "
— Heather, 6/25/2012 -
" I really loved this book. I have a soft spot for tough, wise women and this book has two great examples. Berg has a nice way with words that I appreciate - the dialog and narrative is true to life and relatable. "
— Kendra, 3/16/2012 -
" This book was great!! Highly recommended. "
— Lutsia76, 1/15/2012 -
" My first Elizabeth Berg. It made me a fan "
— Elizabeth, 12/25/2011 -
" A fast read. Took me back to the old days. "
— Haley, 12/7/2011 -
" I thought the story started too slowly. The story became more engaging through the middle of the story. "
— BM, 8/17/2011 -
" Similar to her other books which often including "coming of age" or family changes/difficulties, this one had some unique elements. "
— Angie, 7/23/2011 -
" Read for a f2f book club. I had some difficulty with the Elvis Presley ending, but I enjoyed the book. "
— Cheryl, 5/23/2011 -
" Elizabeth Berg is one of my favorite authors. "
— Sandy, 5/9/2011 -
" I liked the premise of the book. However, the ending was just a little to full of conveniences. I felt like that author got tired of writing and took a really cheap ending. It would have easily been a 4 star book but the ending left me with a sour taste in my mouth. "
— Elisa, 4/22/2011 -
" I liked this sweet story. "
— Deb, 4/20/2011 -
" Very thought provoking. Well written. "
— Kim, 4/15/2011 -
" I liked this book when I finished it. I liked the messages of altruism and positivity. However, after thinking about the book, the end was very "Hollywood.". Overall, I'm glad I read it because it was a quick, easy read. "
— Carrie, 4/3/2011 -
" I thought I had read all of EB's books but missed this one somehow. "
— Betsey, 3/30/2011 -
" Didn't want it to end. Can't wait to read more Berg. "
— Nicole, 3/16/2011 -
" Finished this book so fast. It was a super easy read but I didn't find it that superior. It was interesting no doubt but not my first love. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick easy read you don't have to think much about. "
— Danielle, 2/14/2011 -
" This is one of my favorites. A bit reminiscent of "The Secret Life of Bees". "
— Dayna, 1/29/2011 -
" Both incredibly difficult to read and incredibly beautiful, if you've ever been the primary caregiver for a family member. I cried copiously afterward, despite it not actually being sad. "
— Molly, 1/20/2011
About Elizabeth Berg
Elizabeth Berg is the author of many bestselling novels, including Open House, an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Durable Goods and Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year. She adapted The Pull of the Moon into a play that enjoyed sold-out performances in Chicago and Indianapolis. Her work has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and three of her novels have been turned into television movies. She is the founder of Writing Matters, a quality reading series dedicated to serving author, audience, and community.