review - what comes after crazy
“What Comes After Crazy”
By Sandi Kahn Shelton
(Crown)
Mother of two Maz Lombard isn’t quite single, but she might as well be, what with her husband Lenny disappearing to Santa Fe after his affair with the community day care worker. Unfortunately, dating is more complicated than it once was. Not only does her fortune telling mother, Madame Lucille, call in the middle of her date with Dan, a new doctor in town, to offer the sage advice of “Darlin’ – SLEEP WITH HIM! You need it!”, her elder daughter, Hope, sternly informs Maz’s new love interest that her father is coming back.
After this debacle, Maz decides her life is far too crazy to let anyone in – and she thinks she’s proven right when Lenny unexpectedly returns to town, followed shortly thereafter by the impulsive Madame Lucille and HER newest husband. Of course, ‘anyone’ doesn’t include the 28-year-old boyfriend of the marriage-ruining day care worker – a romantic move which Maz’s best friend Hannah heartily disapproves of. While Maz tries to shake free of her mother’s psychological hold on her past and present, ten-year-old Hope (suddenly a burgeoning fortune teller herself), is drawn in by Madame Lucille; and when Lenny becomes involved and decides to take charge, the already strained relationship between Hope and Maz seems to fall apart. Surprisingly, that’s what makes the rest of Maz’s crazy life finally come together.
“What Comes After Crazy” may resemble chick lit with its ‘single’ woman premise and its slick cover, but inside the pages is a novel that evokes “She’s Come Undone” over Bridget Jones. While it occasionally falters, with a few exasperatingly one-note characters and a plot twist or two that even a questionable fortune teller such as Madame Lucille could foresee, the story remains engaging, if a bit surreal. Despite the unusual and sometimes predictable cast of characters peppering her life, Maz herself is complicated and layered protagonist, and Shelton’s insight into the tenuous relationship between preteen Hope and her mother rings particularly true.
“What Comes After Crazy” may delve a bit deeper than your usual poolside read, but is just as easy to pick up and has as many laughs as a breezy summer novel. It’s the perfect book to pick up for spring break - and then lend to your mother when you’re done.
By Sandi Kahn Shelton
(Crown)
Mother of two Maz Lombard isn’t quite single, but she might as well be, what with her husband Lenny disappearing to Santa Fe after his affair with the community day care worker. Unfortunately, dating is more complicated than it once was. Not only does her fortune telling mother, Madame Lucille, call in the middle of her date with Dan, a new doctor in town, to offer the sage advice of “Darlin’ – SLEEP WITH HIM! You need it!”, her elder daughter, Hope, sternly informs Maz’s new love interest that her father is coming back.
After this debacle, Maz decides her life is far too crazy to let anyone in – and she thinks she’s proven right when Lenny unexpectedly returns to town, followed shortly thereafter by the impulsive Madame Lucille and HER newest husband. Of course, ‘anyone’ doesn’t include the 28-year-old boyfriend of the marriage-ruining day care worker – a romantic move which Maz’s best friend Hannah heartily disapproves of. While Maz tries to shake free of her mother’s psychological hold on her past and present, ten-year-old Hope (suddenly a burgeoning fortune teller herself), is drawn in by Madame Lucille; and when Lenny becomes involved and decides to take charge, the already strained relationship between Hope and Maz seems to fall apart. Surprisingly, that’s what makes the rest of Maz’s crazy life finally come together.
“What Comes After Crazy” may resemble chick lit with its ‘single’ woman premise and its slick cover, but inside the pages is a novel that evokes “She’s Come Undone” over Bridget Jones. While it occasionally falters, with a few exasperatingly one-note characters and a plot twist or two that even a questionable fortune teller such as Madame Lucille could foresee, the story remains engaging, if a bit surreal. Despite the unusual and sometimes predictable cast of characters peppering her life, Maz herself is complicated and layered protagonist, and Shelton’s insight into the tenuous relationship between preteen Hope and her mother rings particularly true.
“What Comes After Crazy” may delve a bit deeper than your usual poolside read, but is just as easy to pick up and has as many laughs as a breezy summer novel. It’s the perfect book to pick up for spring break - and then lend to your mother when you’re done.
posted by Ann at 7:41 AM
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