Pamela Duncan

Reminiscent of Karen Spears Zacharias' work, this novel deals with three-going-on-four generations of women in a small North Carolina town, dealing with the changes in their lives, and with the things that don't change.

Ruth Ann Pratt is reasonably happy, alone in the neat little house salvaged from her divorce from the philandering A.J. Her mama Marvelle, and younger sister Cassandra live just down the road in an uneasy truce made wobblier by Marvelle's tendency to come unmoored in time and wander off. When Ruth Ann's wild daughter, Ashley, returns home from rehab pregnant and moves back in, things begin to change rapidly.… (mere)

Three generations of Moon women are the focus of this story set in North Carolina in the 1990's. Octogenarian Marvelle Moon is slowly losing her grip on reality as dementia begins its assault on her mind. Daughter Ruth Ann has just celebrated her 51st birthday and since divorcing her philandering husband AJ has enjoyed the solitude of her new life while her sister Cassandra, now in her mid-40's and dangerously overweight, wants nothing more than to escape her life and her obese body. Ruth Ann's daughter, 19-year-old Ashley, has spent her short life running away from home but now she is being released from a rehab facitlity, pregnant by a fellow rehab resident, with no place to go but home to mother. Suddently Ruth Ann's solitary life is upended by Ashley's return, Marvelle's sudden desire to move in with her, and the loss of a job she has worked for more than 30 years.

The bond that forms between Ashley and her aging grandmother is wonderful and sweet as the rebellious young girl comes to know the Moon women and their legacy. The two spend their days together cooking, doing jigsaw puzzles and watching Mavelle's 'stories' on the television. Cassandra runs her home daycare center cherishing the children she babysits as she longs for a husband and family of her own. Ruth Ann struggles with her love for these women as well as her resentment that they have brought such upheaval to her life. As Marvelle's mind slips away she recalls the distant past and a secret that would stun the Moon women if they only knew.

I really liked these women and therefore I enjoyed the story very much. My only problem with the book is that the author chose to write in colloquial 'Southern' grammar (brung, she give him a hateful look, he come around the table) which became a bit too much at times. The relationships between the 4 women is strong and touching and their characters are well-developed. Marvelle's secret is obvious about halfway through the book so its reveal was not much of a surprise. While the end scene in the hospital after Ashley gives birth is far-fetched it is believable within the circle of love between the Moon women.
… (mere)

Three generations of Moon women living in a small North Carolina town are trying to do the best they can in life. Grandmother Marvelle is trying to hang around long enough to pass on what she's learned to the next generation. Her wisdom is hard-earned and she knows the youngsters need it. Her daughters Ruth Ann and Cassandra are trying to figure out if the lives they are living are the lives they want. Ruth Ann's daughter Ashley is young but she's already old in experience. As the book opens, Ruth Ann is driving to Asheville to pick Ashley up from the rehab center where she's been staying. Ashley will be living with her now that she's been discharged. When they get back to their little town, Ashley drops the news that she's pregnant and Marvelle announces that she's moving in as well. Life is about to get interesting.

I loved this book. I met author Pamela Duncan at a book festival a few years ago and just chattered away at her. I never do that. I'm usually all tongue-tied at author signings and rarely get out more than "Please" and "Thank you." But it just felt like she was one of my kind of people and so I rattled on while she graciously listened.

This family of women felt like my family. We have a lot of women too and we love each other, irritate each other, get in each other's business, and cheer each other on. That's how these Moon women were. The story rotates between the four characters (Cassandra's part is small but she has a voice) and there was never a time when I wished I could get back to another storyline; I enjoyed them all. Each character is facing challenges that we can all relate to. I will admit that I wanted to reach in the pages and shake Ashley. "Will *shake* you *shake* PLEASE *vigorous shake* just *shake* wake *shake* up *shake* and *shake* let *shake* that *shake* sweet *shake* boy *shake* love *shake* you?!?!?" *tooth-rattling shake* I feel better for having written it out. She was stubborn beyond all reason.

Poor Cassandra. I wasn't entirely happy with her story, but there's a glimmer of hope for her. I'll have to dive into The Big Beautiful soon to see how she ends up.

For a book about strong women and their ties to each other, pick this one up. Is there higher praise than "These characters felt like my family?" I don't think so.… (mere)

Laurel Granger lived for her husband, Scott, then he left her for another woman. Depressed, rootless, and alone in Vegas, Laurel decides to head back home to Russell, North Carolina. Without telling her parents what happened, she moves in with them. Well, it becomes obvious that Laurel isn't going back to Vegas and she needs a job. The only place that will hire her is the plant (factory) where her mother has worked for umpteen years. Laurel isn't happy to be going to work there, but at least it's a desk job. She finds herself a part of a group of women who have been friends and helped and hated each other for years. With their help, she starts to finally heal and move on.

I had never even heard of author Pamela Duncan until I saw her speak at a book festival I attended last year. I loved her. I agreed with everything she said and felt like she could be me talking. Plus, Lee Smith, who wrote one of my favorite books ever, was her teacher. I bought all three of Ms. Duncan's books, had her sign them, and actually had a delightful, short conversation with her. (Me at most signings: "How are you? My name is Jennifer. Yes, it's spelled the normal way. Thank you.")

I couldn't really justify buying three books for myself, so I gave this one to my mom. She has worked in a plant for about as long as I remember. I need to ask her more about what she thought of it, but from the outside looking in, this book looked like it was spot on. My mom has spoken of the same women for years and years. They mostly love each other. Some days, they do get on each other's nerves. But they are always there at the weddings and the funerals and in sickness and in health. That's the complicated relationship the author captured in this book.

This was funny and sad and everything in between. I was hoping for Laurel to find a good man, and I picked out the one I wanted her to have very quickly. I was frustrated with her when she didn't see how perfect he was. I was rooting for Laurel's mama Pansy to pull out of her issues. My heart hurt for her in her past. I didn't like Pansy's mama at first, but in her brief chapters, I started to understand her as well.

I recommend this for a lovely celebration of the complexity of female relationships.… (mere)