New York times

     One of the lovely things about having this website is that, because they know my taste pretty well, people tell me about books they think I'd like. Today's popped through the letterbox courtesy of Adele. She'd read it and thought it would appeal to me and most kindly sent it on, and I'm indebted to her because it was a great read.

     There are two less than favourable reviews of Anna Quindlen's Rise and Shine on the book's Amazon page, but I don't share those opinions and I enjoyed it immensely. It's the story of two sisters, Meghan (the elder) is the star of America's most popular morning television show, "Rise and Shine", and as such is one of the most famous women in the US. She leads a charmed life, apparently, happily married to Evan and devoted to their teenage son, Leo, but then a verbal indiscretion on-air changes everything.

    The story of the consequences of that error of judgement is told by Meghan's sister Bridget, single, a social worker with a women's aid charity who sees the other side of New York - poverty, crime, deprivation and injustice - in contrast to Meghan's privileged and secure world. Bridget is content to live in Meghan's shadow, being a second mother to Leo when Meghan can't be there, and quietly getting on with her life, but she's acutely aware of the difference between herself and her sister saying at one point, "She's the colour picture; I'm the sepia version".

    The book is smart, clever, full of sassy New York humour and social nuance, but it has more to it than that. The sisters' close and mutually dependent relationship is finely drawn, there are meaty supporting roles in the shape of Bridget's lover, the tough cop Irving, and her wonderfully-named assistant, Tequila, and there's a perceptive picture of the two sides of the city, with NY itself becoming almost another character. To go back to those Amazon reviews, I don't agree that this book is superficial, or boring or bland, but I'd be keen to hear what anyone else who's read it thinks. Meanwhile, thankyou again Adele!

Comments

[adele geras]

PAH! is what I say to those crabby Amazon reviewers. It's a smashing read: well written, unputdownable and full of wit and likeable characters. I reckon most people would enjoy it, but there's always someone out there ready to throw a spanner in the works. Or to be charitable, they have different taste, I guess. Anna Q has written very good books before. Her BLACK AND BLUE is about violence against women and is also one to seek out.
Happy to have been able to send it to Cornflower!

[Peg]

I read Black and Blue several years ago and it is not a book you could say you 'enjoyed', but I did like her treatment of the subject! I went to my library and they have it in CD nonmusic already, so I will be listening to it as I knit. Thanks for the suggestion.
Happy Christmas to all at your home!

[Wanda]

This sounds like a book to add to my reading list.

[carole]

I read this a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it, apart from one tiny detail - Megan spelt with 'h' in it. It's only because I have only ever encountered the name without it before and whilst an insignificant thing, sometimes the wrong name can put me off a book. I apologise to anyone reading this comment who shares this unusual-to-me spelling!!
I sometimes read comments after I have read a book, especially if I have enjoyed it, but ignore unfavourable ones as misguided!! After all, the reader is always right!

[Nan]

Santa whispered to me that he is putting a book of hers in my stocking. :<) It is called Good Dog, Stay. I fully expect to cry but I like AQ so much that Santa thought I could take it. The cover is a photo of an older Lab. I have read only one of her fiction books, but I love her nonfiction essays.

And Carole, it may be an American thing, Meghan spelled with the "h" - I've seen it that way quite a bit. Not so many Megan babies now, but it was pretty popular a while back.

[Peter the flautist]

Megan is the Welsh diminutive of Margaret but only recently (20th C) popular. There are a whole series of "incorrect" spellings including Meghan, Meagen etc. It is derived from the English name Megge. It has been recently very popular in the USA (e.g. 11th most popular name for females born in 1990 according to the Social Security Administration)

[carole]

There were two girls called Megan in my 10 year old daughter's class, and quite a few more spread through the school, so quite popular, at least in Surrey. As we are in France now, there are none!!

[Peter the flautist]

Inspired by Carole's comment, which I took as a challenge, I did some searching. According to data from the Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques, at the begining of 2006 1654 French citizens had the first name Megan. Peak year of popularity for new registrations was 1995.

Dark Puss

[tara]

I also enjoyed this book. Quindlan is a favorite author of mine, I particularly recommned One True Thing.

[carole]

I stand corrected!
With a Marjorie and a Pauline in Sophie's class, it is like going back a generation!