the Miss America Family [Import] [Paperback]

Julianna baggott (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Washington Square (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099427990
• ISBN-13: 978-0099427995
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,317,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Critically acclaimed, bestselling author, Julianna Baggott -- who also writes under the pen names Bridget Asher (The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted) and N.E. Bode (The Anybodies) -- has published 17 books, including novels for adults, younger readers, and collections of poetry. Her latest novel, PURE, is the first of a trilogy; film rights have sold to Fox2000 -- www.pure-book.com. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Best American Poetry, Best Creative Nonfiction, Real Simple, on NPR.org, as well as read on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" and "Here and Now." Her novels have been book-pick selections by People Magazine's summer reading, Washington Post book-of-the-week, a Booksense selection, a Boston Herald Book Club selection, and a Kirkus Best Books of the Year list. Her novels have been published in over 50 overseas editions. She's a professor in the Creative Writing Program at Florida State University and the founder of the nonprofit Kids in Need - Books in Deed. For more, visit www.juliannabaggott.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seemingly simple but emotionally complex story, May 18, 2002

By 

Linda Linguvic (New York City) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Miss America Family : A Novel (Hardcover)

I love the quirky original characters Julianna Baggott creates. There's Pixie, a former Miss New Jersey who is now a dentist's wife. And there's Ezra, her 16-year-old web-toed son from her first marriage. Both have a keen eye for sharp observation, and view their world through a darkly comedic prism that cuts to the quick. I found myself chuckling as well as cringing as the images the author creates come fast and hard, creating a roller coaster of emotions in a seemingly simple but emotionally complex story that leaves little breathing space.

This is a coming-of-age story for both mother and son. She has to confront the demons of her past; he has to come to terms with his gay father and the act of violence that his mother perpetrates against her new husband. Her memories haunt her; his are the basis for his new awakenings. As the book goes on, we learn more and more about the family and Pixie's mother, whose eccentricities are forgiven when her own past secret act of courage is unearthed. All this is set in the wasteland of suburbia, and every detail of description is unique, offbeat and fresh.

I totally enjoyed this book and the probing insights that go way beneath the surface. Ms. Baggott has a gift of using humor and pathos with brutal honesty. It makes for good reading.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Girl Talk!, November 5, 2002

By 

Timothy Gager "some call me Tim" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Miss America Family : A Novel (Hardcover)

I found myself comparing this novel to the works of two of my favorite authors. The book is very well written and the scenes and situations that Ms. Baggott shows us could have been introduced to us by John Irving or Joseph Heller. The story itself, reminded me of the conflicted facade of Norman Rockwell's paintings. In his art, he gives us scenes from Main Street USA, that are no longer representitive our country today.

To do this Ms. Baggott presents us a dysfunctional woman named Pixie Kitchey, from a sad/tragic upbringing, trying to win her way, (in beauty pagents), toward the great American or shall I say, The Miss America Family. Pixie's goal is to build an all-american life and all-american family. A family with perfect smiles, perfect picket fences and perfect names. One-hundred percent white bread normal in contrast to her own upbringing. Of course, events happen, and the realization that you can't change people has to occur in Pixie's mind in order for her to come to the conclusion of what normalcy truly is.

The story is told from two points of view. One is from the perspective of the ex-beauty queen (Pixie) and the other is from the perspective of her awkward teenage son. Ms. Baggott is able to successfully speak in the son's voice and the reader is treated to her version of Boy Talk. The son, Ezra, gets to experience the great american crush/rejection that all boys go through. First love, first sexual experience and first separation from love is the most difficult. Ezra also gives the reader a nice perspective from the outside, looking into his mother's life.

Why is Miss America Family better than Girl Talk? I loved Girl Talk....I gave it four stars here at Amazon. I found myself liking Miss America Family even more. The plot successfully twists and turns, keeping the reading interested in both narratives as well as all story lines. I am not a fan of the quirky character or quirky tale which authors often use to spice a book up. In this novel the characters are quirky, but REAL, and the situations within are believably interesting and far-out, often sad and hysterical. I totally enjoyed this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rememberible, July 6, 2005

By 

Susan Henson "Summer Reader" (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Miss America Family (Paperback)

I picked this book up at work... and started reading, and it just drew me in... it was a little slow from time to time, but it was so deep, and moving, and i really enjoyed it, and the people in it. It was sad, and moving, and touching, and funny. I reccommend it...