This book is strong in
character and language.
Summary:
15 year old Theresa spends her summers babysitting for the wealthy
residents of Long Island along with her responsibilities for various
neighborhood waifs, and her visiting frail little cousin. Coming to terms with
the tumult in the households of her employers and fending off (or encouraging)
the attentions of males of many ages makes a seemingly idyllic summer a growing
experience for Theresa.
I would NOT recommend this book.
Why not?
This is the first Alice McDermott I had read, and I was disappointed. The
writing is masterly, the description of the long summer days and making fun for
all the children in her charge was well done, BUT many situations were
improbable, and I didn't feel drawn to the character enough to understand why
she did certain things. Not to give the plot away, but if she was really a
babysitter of such skill, would she have purposely hid the fact that her cousin had a
life-threatening illness? Why would anyone of any age be magnetically drawn to
a drunken 70-year old man known for womanizing and neglecting his small child?
It had me rolling my eyes in disbelief.
Other suggested reading:
Stick to Elizabeth Berg for believable young women who share their
bittersweet coming of age -- particularly
Durable Goods and
Joy School.
Employee Initials: SB
Review Date: January 2003
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