Can't wait for the next novel. Please keep writing Kelly.

Kelly Dwyer makes a perfect example of how life really is. She shows the troubles of a young women trying to overcome the fears of everyday life. With the help of a ragged winged angel, who offers litle hope, Laura must discover the meaning of life the hard way. Living with the guilt of assisting her father to his death, she attempts to make a new life in the city which appears to be farthest away on the map. This novel shows the much deeper and terrible truth of life. I have read it three times, and each time I get a better idea of how wicked the world really is and not as perfect as we wish it to be. I would recommend this novel to people who are just starting out on their own. I myself am only 16 and already I am more aware of the things in life that real and true because of this novel.

Kelly Dwyer has written what I consider to be one of the most luminous and beautifully written books thatI have ever read. Actually, I have read it four times and I plan to reread it many times. It is the story I wish I had written. With poetry, grace and soul, she writes of a traumatized young woman, Laura Neuman, and her search for her past, herself and her spirituality. I only wish she would write another book soon. I found this story to be so beautiful and so well written that I have recommended it and given it as a present to everyone I can.

Luke Flannigan had been a depressed individual, who struggled to cope with his role of being the central focus of his family, but he was wary and mentally tired. Ultimately, his demons defeated the accolades and respect, and Luke killed himself.

The death of Luke sends the rest of the extended family into an emotional catastrophe. His sister Kate, struggling with being the single mother of a teen, wonders whether she should marry her current date. Kate also begins to feel that the past needs burying alongside her beloved brother. She leans towards forgiving her sister for taking away her spouse. Her daughter Audrey is in shock because Luke had replaced her biological father. With Luke's death, everyone knows that the past needs revisiting so that the future can be free of guilt and recriminations.

SELF PORTRAIT WITH GHOSTS is a well-written family drama that dwells on the impact on the present from the ugly ghosts out of the past. Kelly Dwyer proves her talent by being able to scribe a beautiful tale that allows insight into the before and after effect of a suicide, especially the prime family person. The ending a wee bit unrealistic because years of resentment and anger, and the present need to grieve just does not abruptly vanish as easily as occurs within the novel. Still, Ms. Dwyer paints a brilliant family drama that should be must reading for everyone.

Harriet Klausner

Luke Flannigan had been a depressed individual, who struggled to cope with his role of being the central focus of his family, but he was wary and mentally tired. Ultimately, his demons defeated the accolades and respect, and Luke killed himself.

The death of Luke sends the rest of the extended family into an emotional catastrophe. His sister Kate, struggling with being the single mother of a teen, wonders whether she should marry her current date. Kate also begins to feel that the past needs burying alongside her beloved brother. She leans towards forgiving her sister for taking away her spouse. Her daughter Audrey is in shock because Luke had replaced her biological father. With Luke's death, everyone knows that the past needs revisiting so that the future can be free of guilt and recriminations.

SELF PORTRAIT WITH GHOSTS is a well-written family drama that dwells on the impact on the present from the ugly ghosts out of the past. Kelly Dwyer proves her talent by being able to scribe a beautiful tale that allows insight into the before and after effect of a suicide, especially the prime family person. The ending is a wee bit unrealistic because years of resentment and anger, and the present need to grieve, just does not abruptly vanish as easily as occurs within the novel. Still, Ms. Dwyer paints a brilliant family drama that should be must reading for everyone.

Harriet Klausner 12/6/98

Luke Flannigan had been a depressed individual, who struggled to cope with his role of being the central focus of his family, but he was wary and mentally tired. Ultimately, his demons defeated the accolades and respect, and Luke killed himself.

The death of Luke sends the rest of the extended family into an emotional catastrophe. His sister Kate, struggling with being the single mother of a teen, wonders whether she should marry her current date. Kate also begins to feel that the past needs burying alongside her beloved brother. She leans towards forgiving her sister for taking away her spouse. Her daughter Audrey is in shock because Luke had replaced her biological father. With Luke's death, everyone knows that the past needs revisiting so that the future can be free of guilt and recriminations.

SELF PORTRAIT WITH GHOSTS is a well-written family drama that dwells on the impact on the present from the ugly ghosts out of the past. Kelly Dwyer proves her talent by being able to scribe a beautiful tale that allows insight into the before and after effect of a suicide, especially the prime family person. The ending is a wee bit unrealistic because years of resentment and anger, and the present need to grieve, just does not abruptly vanish as easily as occurs within the novel. Still, Ms. Dwyer paints a brilliant family drama that should be must reading for everyone.

Harriet Klausner