2012
246 pages
Jeanne Ray's latest contemporary women's fiction novel has something to say about how we allow products to heal ourselves whether they are expensive drugs prescribed by our doctor or Botox-type enhancers that lift money from our wallet for temporary solutions.
Clover Hobart, a fifty-something wife and mother, wakes up one day and discovers she cannot find herself in the mirror after her morning shower. Her first disappearance lasts only a short time but she's concerned because her son says he can still see her. She thinks she might be losing her mind. When it happens again she locates a group of invisible women that meet at the local Sheraton Hotel. Clover learns that a combination of three medicines all made by Dexter-White, a pharmaceutical company, is what causes many women of a certain age to become invisible.
Through this group she begins to take action as the reporter she once was spurring others to get busy by exploring what they can accomplish as invisible women. Because of her new bravery she stops a man from harassing a woman outside the grocery store, she un-arms a robber in the midst of bank robbery, and she and another invisible woman ride the school bus to corral bully behavior. Eventually she takes on the Dexter-White.
This is a light-hearted look at how easy it is for older women to become invisible in society as what's young and hip steals focus. I enjoyed the characters, the topic, and I felt more empowered as I raised my fist in solidarity with them as they crafted a plan to bring down Dexter-White.. It is an easy read-it only took my three days to read the book. Ray is the author of Julie and Romeo.
A quote:
"No one is interested in us," Mrs. Robinson said. "When I look back on my life, I was invisible for so many years before I became invisible. I never did stand up for myself. If you don't stand up before you become invisible, what chance do you have of making people pay attention to you when you aren't there?"
"Amen to that," a voice said. (66)
Reviewed at Dear Author
1 comment:
I saw this one reviewed somewhere else yesterday...sounds interesting :)
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