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NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MARIE CLAIRE AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING • “Poignant, funny and full of life, this is a balm for troubled times.”—People
Loretha Curry’s life is full. A little crowded sometimes, but full indeed. On the eve of her sixty-eighth birthday, she has a booming beauty-supply empire, a gaggle of lifelong friends, and a husband whose moves still surprise. True, she’s carrying a few more pounds than she should be, but Loretha is not one of those women who think her best days are behind her—and she’s determined to prove wrong her mother, her twin sister, and everyone else with that outdated view of aging wrong. It’s not all downhill from here.
But when an unexpected loss turns her world upside down, Loretha will have to summon all her strength, resourcefulness, and determination to keep on thriving, pursue joy, heal old wounds, and chart new paths. With a little help from her friends, of course.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 31, 2020 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593148167
- File size: 292475 KB
- Duration: 10:09:19
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from December 16, 2019
In McMillan’s lively, perceptive novel (following The Interruption of Everything), a woman relies on the support of her longtime friends to help her cope with the trials of aging and widowhood. Loretha Curry’s husband Carl whisks her away for a weekend getaway in Palm Springs, Calif., to celebrate her 68th birthday, only to die of a heart attack while they are staying at the resort. Loretha’s friends rally around her as she tries to recover from the devastating loss. Loretha also contends with her own health issues after her doctor diagnoses her with diabetes. Though Loretha is filled with loneliness after Carl’s death, the wit and candor of her friends lessens the blow as Loretha weathers the angst of a difficult relationship with her alcoholic daughter Jalecia and considers selling her beauty products business. News of Jalecia’s attempt to book herself into a seedy shelter leads Loretha to reckon with her own life choices (“being ambitious can backfire when you’re black, a woman, and a mother”). McMillan writes with a staggering depth of feeling, credibly capturing the characters’ emotions as she unpacks their interpersonal conflicts. This delightful novel balances inspiration for renewal with the hard facts of aging. Agent: Molly Friedrich, The Friedrich Agency -
This is conceivably Terry McMillan's best work. Listeners meet 68-year-old Loretha "Lo" Curry and her lifelong friends as they encourage each other, argue, and confront aging. When Lo's beloved husband dies unexpectedly--moments that are heartbreakingly rendered--she grieves while coping with her elderly mother, estranged sister, and troubled daughter. McMillan inhabits the mercurial Lo while her warm, conversational style portrays her friends when they dine monthly, sharing joys, sorrows, and problems. Her best creations are: Lo's feisty mother, who has a witty, sometimes sarcastic, remark for everyone, and Lo's kind and enthusiastic stepson, Kwame. Listeners will be moved by Lo's battle to diet, exercise, and cope with the unexpected. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
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