Kris Radish presents a detailed composition about the very essence of being a woman in the tumultuous world today. Radish, who often speaks across the country on her writing and women's and feminist issues, sings the praises of the enlightened bonds that can form in the lives of women in this emotion packed novel.
Radish introduces us to the recently departed Annie G. Freeman, a brazen spirit taken out of the game of life too early. Annie, a woman who chased after life, left a streak upon the hearts of all she touched, in particular, five unique women for whom she would leave a dying request from beyond the grave. Annie asks that the five women take her ashes to be scattered at different locations across the country.
The author takes us on an odyssey from magical desert rainbows to crystal, topaz oceans and through the souls of each woman struggling with the loss of her friend. The five middle aged women, who have never met before now, end up thrown together in an adventure of discovery, death, living, and rebirth. The unexpected journey, all planned by Annie before her death, is filled with secrets, struggle, joy, and celebration.
The author seamlessly escorts you through transformations that each woman takes. Radish tugs at your heartstrings then has you laughing at the escapades of these seemingly reserved women, who throw caution to the wind to honor the last wish of a beloved friend. In the process, they learn that death can bring out intrigue and a deeper meaning to life. What starts off as an apprehension-filled trip among strangers, turns into a mission by a tight knit gang of women stomping through life loudly, as stark revelations are made.
Radish does a superb job of bonding the reader with each distinguished character as they write their thoughts down in a funeral notebook.
"How lucky you were to be here, Annie. How lucky am I to have known you so that I can now be here too. Thinking, I am thinking, about the unopened gifts of life. About how some people try so hard to give us gifts----not the physical ones----but the real gifts----you know, time and energy and love and all of that-----and how sometimes we ignore them and what a mistake that was. You were always remarkably generous with your gifts, Annie. Thank you."
This novel is not about dying, but the process of grieving, healing and moving forward. It is a book about women helping each other find their true selves and see life in a new and precious light. If you join the traveling funeral you may very well identify with one of these fabulous women and discover a secret of your own.
455 words
ISBN: 0553382640
Pages: 331
Publisher: Bantam Dell/February 2006
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Comments: 18
This sounds great. I usually shy away from "chick" books, but you have made me want to search this out.
Definitely not a book I'm going to read, but a VERY good review. Good luck with the contest and my ten.