December 11, 2006
In her first American release, London journalist Ironside slices
\t\t through the hullabaloo about reclaiming youth. On the cusp of 60, Marie begins
\t\t keeping a diary, and the approximately 18 months' worth of entries that make up
\t\t the narrative offer blunt appraisals of the state of the world, matters of
\t\t health and family, and the good and bad aspects of the Internet age (cut and
\t\t paste is good; booking travel online is bad). The major development is the
\t\t thrilling news Marie's going to be a grandmother, and plenty of smaller crises,
\t\t squabbles, life events and drama are contributed by her posse of goofball pals.
\t\t Widower Archie, whom Marie had a crush on when she was a teenager, is still
\t\t around, and Marie's friend Penny is on the brink of a fling with a man 30 years
\t\t her junior. After grandson Gene is born, Marie, of course, fawns over him,
\t\t though that happiness is mitigated by a friend's illness. Both humorous and
\t\t poignant, this will appeal to its target boomer demographic and should pull in
\t\t a few younger readers as well.
June 25, 2007
An inspired choice for narrator, Sian Phillips gives perfect voice to protagonist Marie Sharp in this insightful and entertaining audio. In a British accent that is elderly yet full of spitfire, Phillips conveys all the facets of Marie’s distinctive personality: strong-willed, opinionated, witty, by turns delightfully acerbic and unabashedly sentimental. Marie looks forward to turning 60, seeing it as a time to relax, potter about and enjoy her grandchild without feeling guilty about being unproductive—and she refuses to allow anyone to tell her otherwise. Listening to Phillips’s reading, one can see the flash of fire in Marie’s eyes as she tells off a pompous psychologist, the hint of remorse that always follows her outbursts (because she really is an old softie, despite her determination to be a curmudgeon) and her deep love of her friends and family. Phillips also creates believable voices for the large supporting cast, including a Polish housecleaner, a young French girl renting a room in Marie’s house, an elderly gay couple and a Cockney drug dealer. Simultaneous release with the Viking hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 11).