Last Dance At Jitterbug Lounge (Paperback)

by Pamela Morsi (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
When his grandfather, Bud, suffers a stroke and remains in a coma, Jack Crabtree reluctantly leaves his successful San Antonio business for rural Oklahoma. As he and estranged wife Claire wait along with the rest of the clan, however, he rediscovers his heritage and the self he had submerged in his driven quest for financial and social primacy. Bud also narrates a significant portion of the story, allowing the reader to experience firsthand the reality of his early life, military service as a gunner in the Pacific during World War II, the resultant post-traumatic stress disorder, and the loss of his only son, Jack’s father, in Vietnam. Morsi has deftly interwoven reminiscences from the vanishing generation that survived the 1930s and 1940s to build new lives in the 1950s and beyond into a contemporary struggle between two people whose lives and goals have changed since they married. Time out from Jack and Claire’s usual hectic schedules, and enforced proximity to the values and support systems of earlier generations, may be their only hope for reconciliation. --Lynne Welch

Product Description
Jack and Claire Crabtree were once happily married, but separate interests have left each one dancing to their own tune. She refuses to move into the brand-new house he built for the family. He spends too much time at work with a colleague whom she considers a threat to any man's fidelity. When Jack is summoned back to Oklahoma to see his ailing grandpa Bud, Claire only makes the trip at the last minute.

Bud and Geri Crabtree danced through life together for seventy years as friends, lovers and devoted spouses. They always knew what mattered most in life—and the laughter and tears come naturally when their family gathers together. And if Jack and Claire can remember the bond they once shared, they might be able to rediscover what's wonderful about love.…

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Mira (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778325199
• ISBN-13: 978-0778325192
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,936 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ans will enjoy this poignant character study, May 6, 2008

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Novel of the Year!, September 7, 2008

By	Deb G. "nbct" (Virginia Beach, VA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Last Dance at the Jitterbug Lounge, June 1, 2008

By	Marcia Shaw (Cushing, OK USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.