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Description edit
Overlay reveals the intriguing narrative of a strong child protagonist chronicling her childhood in the shadows of the 1970s Las Vegas casino era. Born into an ongoing cycle of alcoholism and abandonment amidst fallen adults, Marlayna develops a powerful sense of self-preservation as the... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
What is it that makes one person's life interesting to another? Could it be the reader's perceived shared experiences with the writer? A profound thankfulness for not having shared such experiences? A desire to know about a life not personally lived? A well-crafted, mesmerizing and... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
People edit
- Marlayna Glynn Brown: Marlayna realizes at a very young age that her family is 'different' and weaves a fascinating story of just how different they are.
- Sandy Glynn: Marlayna's mother is a stunning ex beauty queen, who as a result of her own neglected childhood never learns to stand up for herself or her children. Pond's Beauty Cream and a hot bath are her standard cure-alls to any of life's challenges.
- John Buddy Glynn: Marlayna's father was a title-holding bodybuilder from the Golden Era of Bodybuilding who developed a lifelong addiction to whisky and cigarettes.
- Russell Smith, aka Mr. Nice: Marlayna's first stepfather has a moniker that simply doesn't make a lick of sense.
- Billy Dean Parker, aka Dean Parker: Dean Parker should never have crawled from the Louisiana swamps from which he came. He stands as a perfect example of just how powerful a teacher Ms. Karma can be.
- Mr. Grafton: Add a description of this character.
- Suzy
- Matt
- Frankie
- Walt
- Rebel
- Laura
- Chuck
- Sandra
- Christine
- Aunt Ana
- Susie
- Angie
- Pat
- Michelle
- Sandy Smith
- Pat Lizotte
- Linda
- Leah Goldberg
- Karen
- Noel
- Mr. Mack
- Mr. Stabler
- Angel
- Big Ray
- Mrs. Stabler
- Gary
- Angela Sparks
- Tim
- Marge
- Cathryn
- Diana
- Phillip
- Aunt Micki
- Santa Claus
- Charlie
- Josie
- Wally
- Stephanie
- Arthur
- Denny
- Kevin Oliver
- Elijah
- Mrs. Mack
- Antoinette
- Nana
- Kim
- Danny
- Dawn
- Uncle John
- Pa
- Reggie
- Janet
- Frank Sinatra
- Stanley Atkins
- Robert
- Caroline
- Rick
- Lisette
- Julie
- John Juneman
- Mark
- Barbara Mandrell
- Mr. Clarence Piggott
- Donna
- Kenny Glynn
- Rainie
- Kiki
- Mr. Rodriguez
- Violet
- Katie
- Rhonda
- Don
- Mrs. Rodriguez
- Roberta
- Ruth
- Paul
- Alex
- Chris
- Lisa
Setting & Locations edit
1970s Las Vegas, Nevada
First Sentence edit
“I will never drink or smoke,” I announce to my mother, pausing for what is most certainly a dramatic effect.
Themes & Symbolism edit
- alcoholism, addiction: 1970s Las Vegas was a very transient community with a great deal of alcoholism and addiction of many kinds.
- Abuse: Marlayna details several dramatic cases of physical and sexual child abuse that she witnessed as a child.
- Coming of age: Marlayna fights for her right to age gracefully amidst the turmoil of her surroundings.
- Child neglect: Marlayna describes several cases of child neglect she witnessed around her in 1970s Las Vegas.
- Stepfather, stepdad, stepfatherhood: Marlayna tells tales of three stepfathers she had as a child.
- Loneliness: Loneliness threads its way throughout this entire story as Marlayna searches to find comfort in the families of others.
- Finding Inner Strength: Marlayna's trials are challenging and threaten to break her spirit, but are never quite damaging enough to accomplish those tasks. Marlayna gradually develops an inner reserve of strength and resilience which carries her beautifully through the darkness of her childhood. She stands as a strong example of how the power of hope and strength can carry one out of the darkness.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Marlayna Glynn Brown (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: CreateSpace
Country: United States
Publication Date: March 2012
ISBN: 1475200358
Page Count: 337
Publisher: CreateSpace
Country: United States
Publication Date: March 2012
ISBN: 1475200358
Page Count: 337
Subjects edit
Links to Supplemental Material edit
- You Tube link to short film People That do Something: People That do Something is a short film written and produced by Marlayna Glynn Brown. This six minute film is based upon a chapter from Overlay.
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