Customer Reviews

Last Dance At Jitterbug Lounge

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Texas, Jack and Claire Crabtree are raising three children while successfully having built a pool-cleaning business. However, they have recently fought over everything; especially contentious is the house Jack built that he wants his family to move into while Claire is happy with their present home and refuses to dislocate their children (nine years old Zaidi and six years old twins Peyton and Presley) just because her husband believes bigger and newer mean better.

When his family informs Jack that his grandfather is in a coma, he goes home to Catawah, Oklahoma, a place he avoids like the plague because he is embarrassed by his roots. Claire, who has never met his side, accompanies him. Meeting his family is a stunner for Claire who learns a lot about what makes Jack tick as she realize she may love him but did not know Jack about him; maybe it is time she did.

There are two relationship dramas; obviously that of Jack and Claire, but also flashbacks that provide readers with insight into that of his grandparents, Bud and Geri. This technique enables the audience to compare the eras and to contrast the similarities and differences between the relationships. Fans will enjoy this poignant character study as Claire and readers learn first hand why Jack buried his roots and why big and new are better.

Harriet Klausner

Last Dance at Jitterbug Lounge is the best kept secret of the century. It should be #1 on the Best Seller list. If you are a veteran of WWII or know a family member who was, you will want to recommend this book. I was not a fan of WWII stories previously, however, this story has so many facets, it has the value of a well-polished diamond. How the author achieved writing this story through the eyes of a comatosed WWII veteran is beyond anything I have ever read. If you like stories that open your eyes to the psychology of character interaction, and creates a visual tapestry of the setting, be prepared to sit and read until you have finished the story. But after you're done, you will feel like part of your own family has just left you.

Highly recommend this book for older (WWII era readers) as well as, high school students who want to know (from the eyes of the character) what it feels like to be shot down over the shark-infested Pacific Ocean. Iraq veterans will also connect with the character who had to leave his (just married) wife behind, and who comes home only to live and relive the horrors of war everytime he tries to sleep.

I hope this story receives the respect that it deserves. It would make a wonderful movie.

The characters, Jack, Claire, Bud, J.D., Geri and all the rest are just ordinary people but somehow they transcend the mundane. They care for one another, and make you care, too. Thru out the book, there are hints of how it is going to end, but when that last dance comes, it will be hard not to shed a tear. I loved this book.

This was a terrific book!! All of Pam Morsi's books are great. Pam isfrom my home state of Oklahoma and really captures small town life andsmall town people. I highly recommend this book and all of her books.

Sentimental without being sappy - loved this book and it reminded me why I always buy books by Pamela Morsi. You won't be sorry if you need a little soul soothing.

This book is a sweet sentimental journey that had me turning the pages. I seemed to be more interested in the story of Bud and Geri more than the younger couple Claire and Jack. I liked that the characters were real people not the extremely rich of most novels today. The only thing I felt is the book might have dragged a little and could have ended about 20 pages sooner. Other than that this is a very moving and touching tale. Well worth reading.

This book was heartwarming, but kept you guessing so that you couldn't put it down.

Jack and Claire Crabtree were once happily married, but separate interests have each left them with the feeling that the other is no longer the one. Claire refuses to move into the brand new house Jack built for the family and she believes he spends too much time with a colleague. Then Jack is called back home to Oklahoma to see Bud, his sick grandfather. Claire follows.

In this story we are split between two separate stories and relationships. Bud and Geri Crabtree (Jack's grandparents) and Jack and Claire Crabtree. This is a story about getting back to your roots and finding out what really keeps a family together. I loved loved loved this story. Saying anything would give everything away so trust me. Characters were wonderful and the problems are something every couple can identify.

This is a wonderful book that explores the dynamics of relationships - husband and wife, parents and children, people and their work. It is enriched by the tale of a man who has struggled all his life with traumatic memories from WWII and the grief and guilt he carries over the death of his son. I enjoyed it tremendously and would recommend it to anyone, as I believe it would appeal to a man as well as a woman.

The Last Dance At Jitterbug Lounge is an intimate story of warm family relationships. It is intergenerational by showing time period from early Depression era to the present 21st century through the eyes of a grandfather and the grandson. It shows how easy it is to misunderstand each family members motives and actions and displays of affections.
I loved the strong caring male characters and the warm, supportive strong female characters.