A Piece of Normal: A Novel (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

One would think that an advice columnist for a local Connecticut shore newspaper would have a perfect life, being the person with the answers. But Lily Brown is stuck in a rut, living with her precocious four-year-old son, Simon, in the house where she grew up, her ex-husband Teddy living close by. The most excitement in her life happens when an attempt to color her hair turns into a disaster, until her long-lost sister, Dana, returns and turns her life upside down. Dana not only changes Lily's daily life but she also alters her perspective about the past, thanks, in part, to the revelation of family secrets. As her protagonist tries to learn that she cannot and does not have to control everyone around her and tries to enjoy the "fun" of a dysfunctional family life, Shelton delves into family relationships with humor and empathy, making this a pleasurable read. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Praise for sandi kahn shelton’s What Comes After Crazy

“Funny, funny, funny, from page one. You can’t help but root for the lovable Maz Lombard, who’s surrounded by an eccentric mother, a headstrong daughter, a deadbeat husband, and way too much whole-wheat flour. Sandi Kahn Shelton’s writing sparkles with humor and insight.” —Lolly Winston, author of Good Grief

“A zany, affecting first novel. . . . Plenty of laughs here.” —People

“A skillfully constructed, economically written novel that is funny, sad, and almost painfully accurate about human failings.” —Boston Globe

“A delightful beach book. . . . Funny/sad and frantic/romantic, but with serious undertones. . . . A great read.” —Hartford Courant

“I loved What Comes After Crazy. Smart, warm, and hilarious!” —Jennifer Crusie, author of Bet Me and Faking It


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400097320
• ISBN-13: 978-1400097326
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,049 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #13 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Divorce
  #42 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Sisters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wise and warm, funny and true, August 30, 2006

By	N. Hall (New England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Piece of Normal: A Novel (Hardcover)

I loved Shelton's first book, What Comes After Crazy, but this one is even better, a great book about getting unstuck when life threatens to freeze-frame you. The characters are fully realized, and it was a joy to have them in my life while I read this book. I found myself slowing down toward the end because I didn't want the book to be over. The only thing I wish were different is the cover--the publishers have made it look rather too chick-litty, when it's so much more than that.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tasty read, June 20, 2006

By	G. Thompson (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Piece of Normal: A Novel (Hardcover)

This book made me late for everything...I couldn't put it down to attend to my regular life! The author is a deft storyteller with a rich emotional clarity: She absolutely pinpoints every nuance of feeling in scene after scene. Plus she's extremely funny. Her lead character, Lily, is strong and smart (and clueless), and for some reason I love how she describes herself at one point: "slightly off-kilter, motor running full blast, but basically okay." I had a lot of fun with this book; I'd go anywhere the author takes me.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My new best friends, June 13, 2006

By	Writer and reader (Stamford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Piece of Normal: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is the kind of book that sucks you in so completely, that you are so sad when it ends, because you are not going to be able to visit with your "friends" anymore.