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"Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman Neverwhere is the story of Richard Mayhew, a young London businessman with a good heart and an ordinary life, which is changed forever when he is plunged through the cracks of reality into a world of shadows and darkness—the Neverwhere. Learn more | See related books
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If Secondhand Smoke proved Patty Friedmann reigning Queen of Black Humor, her new novel, Side Effects, A New Orleans Love Story, presents her as the South's Queen of Compassion. I just met three vibrant new characters whose divisive racial, class and educational backgrounds should have them at each other's throats. Instead, these drugstore pharmacy employees, Ciana, Vendetta, and Lennon, bond together to solve a family murder. Each voice is an original; each character speaks in dialogue grounded in New Orleans. Their talk is street poetry, as unique to this city of soul as Mardi Grai or Jazz Fest. Like reading good poetry, I found myself backing up to savor the spoken syllables a second time. This is splendid reading, a driving narrative, not five stars so much as a small galaxy.
Deborah Reed
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My favorite beach read this summer!!!! I fell in love with the characters and the pharmacy stories interwoven into the story were so funny I'm sure they were based on real life patients. Not sure if Patty ever worked in a pharmacy, but she got all of the nuances of the work enviorment, the family atmosphere and the co-dependency of the pharmacy staff with each other (and their patients).
The evolution of integrating all ethnicities into a work enviorment in today's day and time were also very true to life and interesting in this story as the main character (a white pharmacist) has her eye on her pharmacy student (a black man). The pharmacist is also best friends with her black technician and doesn't think twice about pitching in to become part of her family drama in repayment of all of the wisdom her employee/friend has given her with her own family drama usually initated by her upper crust sister-in-law upon the mysterious death of her mother.
[...]
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As a long-time fan of Patty Friedmann, I've always enjoyed her acerbic wit, dark take on the human condition, sharp, sharp ear, and finely observed details. But never did I suspect she might have an interest in love! Crazy ladies are her specialty, but the hero of this one is not only sane (except when it comes to her handsome co-worker, Lennon Israel), she's somebody you'd just like to...hug. All 200 gorgeous pounds of her. I wonder if this is technically a romance--I've never actually read one--but I doubt it because word on the street is that romances are supposed to be formulaic and this is anything but. But what a terrific love story--uncontrived, complicated by life rather than plot, and alive with the aforementioned fine details. You actually GET why these two people are attracted to each other. Hint: It's not because they both look like movie stars, although each is convinced the other could probably be one. And need I mention half the fun is in the local color and nutty families of the lovers? (Friedmann trademarks.) Plus, there's a dynamite twist at the end.
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Patty Freidman creates a terrific sense of place and hew characters are a delight. Shy Ciana, gentle Lennon, feisty Vendetta. As they are colleagues in a pharmacy who are also friends, we see how thei lives are interwoven in unexpected ways. This book is imbued with compassion and generosity of spirit even though some of the characters are less than likeable. The death of Ciana's mother is a catalyst for change in all their lives.
I found this as engaging as chick lit but it has a more literary feel. It is so well written and Freidmam has a lovely turn of phrase. Highly recommended.
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I loved the characters and the story line. The humanity displayed in the book, the guile and meanness of some of the characters contrasted with the sweetness and humility of others, was compelling.
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The novel has wonderfully defined characters I haven't encountered much, perhaps at all, in fiction. The interactions among the three protagonists, who all work in a pharmacy and hilariously struggle with the pretensions and stereotypes characteristic of people of a certain class, are funny and moving. Friedmann has some beautiful passages here, funny dialogue, and spot on descriptions of the city.
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I loved the feel of New Orleans with the language and colorful descriptions. Many successful people still suffer from terrible things that family members have done or said to them. These characters are so real with their flaws and their gifts. Even when they know who has damaged them the most family relationships remain important. The three pharmacists are a positive family that helps them survive their natural families. You can still love family members even if they are not very likeable. The love story is on so many levels and the new couple is the next page.
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I love the writings of Patty Friedmann. They are always entertaining, thought provoking, and well written. I have purchased several throughout the years as gifts for family and friends - always positive feedback!
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