Cindy M. (cindymcc) reviewed on + 44 more book reviews
"I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota." The opening lines draw the reader into a sometimes over-the-top novel that still manages to entertain and engender sympathy for its characters. The women - and many of the men - are colorful and sympathetic, and the description of Julia's Aunt Lydia, her yard, and her actions are a hoot. As long as she's not the next door neighbor in a cul-de-sac governed by strict homeowners' association rules (not that Aunt Lydia would EVER live in an environment like that), the reader can be amused by the 8 toilets in the yard, overflowing with flowers, and the 5 giant concrete pigs.
The first few chapters took a bit of patience, as the author painted Aunt Lydia so colorful and so much bigger-than-life, that it took a while to see her as a rational, dearly loved member of the community. And while I have written more about Lydia than Julia, Julia is a deeply sympathetic character with a funny streak.
So kick your shoes off, have a glass of wine on hand, sit back, and read. Don't be intimidated by the fact there may be a reader's guide at the end of your edition - while there is tragedy aplenty, the protagonists survive to live with joy and hope.
The first few chapters took a bit of patience, as the author painted Aunt Lydia so colorful and so much bigger-than-life, that it took a while to see her as a rational, dearly loved member of the community. And while I have written more about Lydia than Julia, Julia is a deeply sympathetic character with a funny streak.
So kick your shoes off, have a glass of wine on hand, sit back, and read. Don't be intimidated by the fact there may be a reader's guide at the end of your edition - while there is tragedy aplenty, the protagonists survive to live with joy and hope.
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