Quindlen, Anna

• One True Thing (9)

  • Noted more for her newspaper columns (which I enjoyed), Quindlen has now branched out into novelist territory, and, boy, is this a great effort. At first, this story (of a young woman who must give up her career and lifestyle to return home and care for her dying mother) is amazingly depressing. It makes very potent points, but it is difficult to read. Later, though, an interesting plot twist leads to some exhilirating reading and a rather surprising and satisfying ending. You'll be doing yourself a favor if you pick this one up and give it a try.

• Object Lessons (6)

  • This is a story told mostly from the point of view of a 12-year-old girl growing up in the suburban Northeast portion of the US about 20-30 years ago. Given Quindlen's age and the very convincing characterizations and setting, I'd say this novel seems a bit autobiographical. Regardless, the plot itself isn't all that engaging, but I still found this worth reading. Sort of like following a diary. Her previous novel was much stronger.

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