Customer Reviews

Sudden Moves (Mira)

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

 

 

Maybe it's because I enjoyed "Fresh Air" very much, but I found this sequel to be very disappointing. The characters, with the exception of Lucinda, were largely static. Renee's change of character was completely unbelievable, and the plot device involved with her was lifted wholesale from one of Ms. Allen's other books. Gin hasn't changed at all, Katanya and her family appeared as "walk-ons." Although I did enjoy seeing Lucinda's transformation and budding romance, she is ALWAYS right and the people she disagrees with are ALWAYS wrong. It's really annoying. Eli also seemed to be too good to be true. Jason (Soupboy) was a lot of fun, but, again, his character seemed recycled from other books, especially Dream Train and Claudia's Shadow. Since I am complaining about recycling characters, I also noticed that this is the third time Ms. Allen has named the mother in her story "Lily."

Maybe it's just because I've read so many of her other books, but this one seemed formulaic and repetitive to me. The moving attempt to integrate 9/11 into the plot raised it from one to two stars.

Sudden Moves (Mira) This book grabs your attention within the first pages. The author is descriptive but not ad nauseum. You feel the emotion as you are reading. You can just about see what is happening like you are there watching or as if you are that person. This is a MUST READ which you won't want to end. You will need a day or so of mourning when it ends because you lived in the book and now you are back in your own reality.

This is, arguably, the finest yet of Allen's books. The characters are beautifully drawn, very real. The setting is now familiar after our introduction to the cast in Fresh Air. And the writing is deceptively simple but lyrical and powerfully effective. It is a joy to see Lucinda coming back into the world, her humor and her scrappy integrity intact. Soupboy has grown into an entirely believable boy and his interaction with Lucinda has great authenticity. 9/11 is documented, moment by moment, so that it not only revives our recall of that day but it also personalizes the event as few pieces of writing could. This is a wonderful book, a must-read book. If you haven't read Fresh Air, get it and begin with it, then follow up with this rare thing: a genuinely riveting sequel.

After a miraculous recovery from agoraphobia, Lucinda Hunter goes in search of her family. She knew who her mother was, a famous actress. It was the noteriety of Lily's life that had the opposite effect of driving her child to isolation. Her father was someone unknown except for a photo. In the days of her late parents' love, a mixed race marriage was a shocking thing, unheard of, so the love was hidden. The pictures of the white beauty with her handsome, black husband were a rare treasure for their daughter. Now, Lucinda goes in search of her father's people.

At first, they meet her with suspicion and distrust, but when they realize she is not out for any gain but love, Lucinda gets past the barriers to their hearts. The years between 1997 and 2002 have their ups and downs; she creates a unique move review column co written with a child. She finds new friends, new challenges. All that changes in a moment, when fear and uncertainty literally explode. September 11 brings out the worst emotions, fear, anger, pain, grief. We watch Lucinda's family cope as they wait to hear who survived, try to remember where people are supposed to have been when the world stopped. The shock you thought you had gotten over will be brought back in the final chapters of this book, so well does the author paint it.

*** Not all books are easy to categorize, and this is one of that type. At times, it is folksy and warm. There is humor, a hint of intrigue, and yes, grief. It is realistic, and despite the sorrow, able to end on a high note. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore of Huntress Reviews.

This book had me totally engrossed start to finish. Lucinda Hunter truly is amazing and a very strong woman. She connects to so many people, from having a wonderful relationship with her deceased father's family to two younger people and their families, then meets Eli, who becomes very important in her life after 30 years of not being intimate with anyone. As a sequel to "Fresh Air", "Sudden Moves" is one of Ms. Vale-Allen's better writings. I hope she never stops her wonderful gift of writing.

This is the sequel to "Fresh Air," taking place about three years after Katanya, a lonely little girl visiting from New York City, first made her accidental friendship with the reclusive Lucinda. After initially bonding with the girl, her mother and grandmother, Lucinda has retained a strong friendship with all three women, as well as Renee, the troubled neighbor who had initially invited Katanya to Connecticut.

In this story, Katanya's mother, who has struggled to improve her life for years, finally finishes her degree and gets a job at the World Trade Center...just before 9/11.

The aftermath leaves the teenaged Katanya full of anger and confusion at the world around her, often misplaced toward those who love her most.

While the general premise sounds promising, and Allen's writing is like visiting with old friends, the sad truth is that this isn't any more plausible than the first book. It's hard to imagine that a woman who's been a recluse for the better part of her adult life would suddenly "snap out of it," simply because she was inspired by a lively child. Likewise, it's also hard to believe that Lucinda's attentions - both tangible and not - wouldn't be at least a tiny bit resented by the girl's mother and grandmother, who've been struggling to raise her own their own.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the venture into this little world, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read. Just don't set too much by the reality, or lack thereof...

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It makes you forget you are reading a book and makes you become one of the characters in the book. Makes you laugh out loud and cry all on the same page. Lucinda is so loving and caring, it makes you wish she would take you in her arms and never let you go. While reading the book you find yourself actually feeling the hugs, the laughter, the tears. Lucinda loves you no matter what and no matter who you are. Boy wouldn't it be great if everyone had a Lucinda in their lives. I can't say enough great things about this book. A must read. Great job.

After twenty-seven years of living is isolation in Connecticut, Lucinda Hunter has somewhat come out of her bubble for FRESH AIR thanks to precocious Harlem resident Katanya Taylor. Lucinda has found her lost family on her father's side and has returned to script writing for her best friend under the pseudonym of Ella van Dyne and even won an Oscar. She watches her young pal Soupboy, who helps her critique movies. Lucinda even has a boyfriend Dr. Eli Carter.

The world seems perfect though Lucinda remains reticent with strangers and loathes public appearance even avoiding receipt of her Academy Award. Though she lives a few hours to the north, 9/11 hits her as deeply as it hammered most Americans. Especially impacted is Soupboy whose father died in the tragedy. Now she must help her bud cope while his mother acts crazier by the minute.

The sequel to FRESH AIR, SUDDEN MOVES continues the saga of Lucinda coming out of her shell though 9/11 is both a setback and an impetus for her. The story line is a delightful character study as the audience observes the crippling shyness that has kept her prisoner still exists, but her courage somewhat overcomes her fears. Though there is not any villains besides her aunt and her neighbor in a minor almost non threatening sense, readers will feel deeply the impact of the 9/11 tragedy on the survivors.

Harriet Klausner