Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Rayo/HarperCollins
Release Date: June 2004
ISBN: 0-06-054687-5
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
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Genre: Fiction – Chick Lit
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Kristin Johnson
Reviewer Notes: Reviewer, Kristin Johnson just released her second book, CHRISTMAS COOKIES ARE FOR GIVING, co-written with Mimi Cummins, in October 2003. Her third book, ORDINARY MIRACLES: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey, co-written with Sir Rupert A.L. Perrin, M.D., is now available from PublishAmerica.
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Unsettling
By Lynda Sandoval


      The First Wives Club and Waiting to Exhale meets “Real Women Have Curves,” “Stand By Me,” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” It’s “Life Lessons for my Latina Girls,” with life lessons for us all mixed in a curandera’s brew of magic, friendship, family, and truth.

       Four women struggle against the images they’ve built up. For Officer Lucy Olivera, the image of herself as a bride is seen in her bridal shower, in which all the women of her family, none of whom are married to their original husbands, give her his-and-her toasters. For poor-girl-makes-good Cristina Aragon, who tries to be as aristocratic as her married name, the image of a society wife of a former sports star clashes with the Winona Ryder-esque mug shot she gets when she shoplifts to express frustration at her mother-in-law’s relentless criticism. For Annette Martinez, the image of the perfect mom clashes with her yearning for something more. And for Mercedes “Mercy” Félan, the image of a successful Oprah/Rosie/Martha magazine editor (the novel gets in a few digs at the double standard for women) and publisher, who emerged from a background with a mother who constantly abused, clashes with the “Hard Copy” image of a hard-driving, “Merciless” boss dumped by her boyfriend for a character named Sunshine Sanderson (“Is that a real name?” Cristina sneers.) All of these women fear being exposed, and believe themselves cowards.

       Who can break the illusions that lead to Mercy and Cristina at each other’s throats, and Lucy doing a “Runaway Bride” turn after her wedding? Meet Matilda “Tilly” Tafoya, a Native American/Latina Wizard of Oz. So the four amigas are off to see the wizard in a decidedly non-“Thelma and Louise” spree that includes saving a pregnant girl from abuse (Mercedes), stopping a robbery (Cristina), confronting bears and a daughter’s lesbian love (Annette), and rediscovering love (Lucy). When they get to the Wizard—er, Tilly—will she give them a heart, the nerve, the brains, and the freedom to get home to Kansas and, in Lucy’s case, back to the altar? Don’t settle for any novel but Unsettling.