In the last year, I have really come to love reading. I never thought I would admit that, but I find it relaxing to pick up a book and escape into the character's lives. I am still working on trying to get my husband to pick up leisure reading, but I guess after reading thousands of pages of medical books, I probably wouldn't want to read a book in my spare time either. A friend of mine loaned me "She's Come Undone" not that long ago. Reading the back of the book, I didn't think I'd like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. This book is far from a "feel good" novel, but was one that I couldn't put down.
"She's Come Undone"
(Reviewed by Judi Clark MAY 29, 1998)"Mine is a story of craving; an unreliable account of lusts and troubles that began, somehow, in 1956 on the day our free television was delivered." So begins the story of Dolores Price, the unconventional heroine of this novel.
Dolores Price is very sassy, yet as we get to know her we discover she is a warm and humane person. We experience her interpretation of the world around her as she comes of age, her mother's descent into mental illness, the consequences of her parents divorce, and of being raped at the age of 13. Subsequently she swells to 263 pounds and eventually is checked into a mental institution. To be honest, if I was reading this summary I would be turned off by the story line (and I haven't included every awful thing that happens to her). But don't be. Dolores is a really marvelous character and Lamb does a fine job of getting us into her head with just enough humor to keep us from descending into the depths of depression. Moreover, he does an astonishing job writing from a female perspective. This is an early Oprah Book Club selection, so accept the fact that the central character has experienced physical, sexual and/or mental abuse. It also means that it is a well written book.
Source: http://www.mostlyfiction.com/contemp/lamb.htm
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