Henny on the Couch [Paperback]

Rebecca Land Soodak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2012

Kara Caine Lawson has worked hard to become the woman she is-wife, mother and successful shop owner. Having survived a turbulent childhood, Kara understands that life could've just as easily gone another way . . . and even if she isn't gliding through the trials of lost library books, entitled customers and routine date nights, at least she's not sipping a Dewar's all day like her mother did.



But then Kara unexpectedly encounters paintings by her now-famous college boyfriend just as she's beginning to suspect that her daughter Henny's difficulties may be the sign of something serious, and all of her past decisions are thrown into dramatic relief.



Kara's narration, at turns heartbreaking and hilarious, captures the imperfect thoughts we have about ourselves and those around us. Rebecca Land Soodak's debut novel asks the difficult questions about the choices we make while revealing the minute details that end up defining our lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The protagonist of HENNY ON THE COUCH is a New York mother we can all identify with-bright, harried, striving, and hopeful. You want her to be your best friend. This is a book for any woman who's ever had dreams for herself or wondered what became of them." (Amy Sohn, author of Prospect Park West )

"Rarely has there been a novel that has dealt quite so honestly with the issues that assail urban women today. Unflinchingly honest and devoid of self-indulgence, Henny on the Couch is a compelling, brave, and beautiful novel." (Kaylie Jones, author of Lies My Mother Never Told Me )

"Soodak's first novel, about an affluent New York mom and her rocky relationship with her own mother, considers several mother-daughter parallels . . . Set against the backdrop of the Big Apple, which Kara clearly loves, the book examines Kara's life ... in writing that flows. . . [this] portrait of a privileged upper-class New York mom rings true." (Kirkus Reviews )

About the Author

Rebecca Land Soodak, a former psychotherapist, lives with her husband and four children in Manhattan and Litchfield County, CT. HENNY ON THE COUCH is her first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: 5 Spot; Original edition (March 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446574260
• ISBN-13: 978-0446574266
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,447,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rebecca Land Soodak has contributed to Salon, Big Apple Parent and About Our Kids. In August 2008, The New York Times ran an article about an ad/rant she posted on Craigslist in search for a Nanny. The piece was picked up by the Associated Press and covered in newspapers around the world.

A former Psychotherapist, Land Soodak is also a painter. She lives with her husband and four children in Manhattan and Litchfield, CT.

Henny on the Couch is Rebecca's debut novel.


http://rebeccalandsoodak.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, relatable book March 23, 2012

By Matt in DC

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This fantastic debut novel is a great read. With a deft touch, and without losing the thread of the narrative, the author takes the reader through three stages of the main character's life, exploring how childhood and early adult experiences shape who we are in middle age and how we live our lives. This book is absorbing, funny, moving and real. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun quick read August 1, 2012

By Love a good book

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I will agree, that I too, picked up the book and was hooked. Although I was looking for more out of the book as far as inspiration (as suggested on the cover) the book was well written and I could not put it down. I like that Kara is not perfect, and knows it, but tries to do what she thinks is right. Kara's words and inner thoughts are right on..... snarky....and quite funny. Oliver is nothing compared to what she has with her husband....I agree....so much so that I never really got Olivers' appeal.....I didn't even like his art although I never saw it......

This is a good book if you have a child with ADD or dyslexia or learning issues....it mirrored two of my friends experiences to the tee...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Mother Daughter Book Club.com July 27, 2012

By Cynthia Hudson

Format:Paperback

Kara's life in Manhattan roars at a dizzying pace. She feels she is always rushing to something--work, her children's activities, or an event with her husband. There's no time for her to think, just to do. Then, one day when she encounters paintings in a gallery from her former lover in college, she begins to question what she really feels is important as well as how she wants her future to unfold.

Henny on the Couch by Rebecca Land Soodak takes a look at how easy it is for us to go through every day in charge of the details and lose sight of the big picture we want to create with those details. Kara experiences what many moms do: she is generally happy with her life, yet she's also restless for something more. She started a successful business, but the work there doesn't make her happy. She always wonders if she's spending enough time with her children, particularly when her daughter Henny starts to have trouble in school. And her husband seems sure of where he wants to go, which is to grow his business and move the family to the West Coast, but Kara's not sure she wants to do that either. She wants to address the issue, but she doesn't know how to do that and stay married.

Underlying it all is Kara's own experience as a child, with a mother who was always disappointed that she wasn't talented enough to pursue her dream of singing professionally and drank to numb her sense of failure. When Kara meets Oliver, her old lover, again, and when her best friend makes a life change Kara doesn't approve of, she finally takes the time the think about what she really wants and how she wants her life to be going forward.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review.