Backward in High Heels (Hardcover)

~ Judith Kelman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The middle-aged woman's postdivorce rebirth plot is given a rejuvenating jolt by Kelman (Every Step You Take) in this uplifting bathtub read. Maggie Strickland's emotions shift from shock to grief to rage when she discovers her husband, Harold, an ethics professor, survived an office fire because he was not at work but instead was canoodling with a graduate student. Divorce proceedings soon follow, and though Maggie's children are sympathetic to her plight, they are too busy with their own lives to offer much support. But a chance encounter with Anthony "Wop" Sinclair, a grade-school classmate with an unfortunate nickname who has transformed into a megasuccessful entrepreneur, provides Maggie with welcome distraction. Anthony's marriage, too, is in trouble, and his interest and attraction flatter Maggie as Harold mounts an aggressive campaign to settle the divorce quickly. Just before the divorce becomes final, Maggie learns the reason behind Harold's urgency. The brisk pace, witty narrative and likable if exaggerated characters keep the reader turning pages until the expected happy ending. (Dec.)
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Review

"The one-liners come fast, especially the Yiddish put-downs from Maggie's over-the-top mother. Kelman's work is as tight and smart as ever." Kirkus Reviews "...uplifting bathtub read. The brisk pace, witty narrative and likable if exaggerated characters keep the reader turning pages until the expected happy ending." Publishers Weekly" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 249 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers; 1st World Ed edition (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727864432
• ISBN-13: 978-0727864437
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,969,466 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful blend of hilarity and poignancy., April 30, 2008

By	Mike - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backward in High Heels (Paperback)

This novel is a change of pace for Judith Kelman, who is renowned for her
novels of suspense. But readers who have had the privilege of reading
Kelman's other fiction will recognize her penchant for combining
humor and pathos. There are many laugh-out-loud funny one-liners
and scenes throughout. (The chapter titles alone are worth the price of
the book!) In between chuckles, readers will root for Maggie
as she gradually rediscovers and reinvents herself, despite the many
obstacles she must overcome.