Author: Jen Lancaster
Review:
Here I go again provides a new twist on the time travel to fix your life
genre. Too often we see the protagonist recognize that somewhere along the
way they really screwed up their life. Than through some mystical means
they are able to return to the days it all went wrong, make changes, and
then all is well. Think Peggy Sue Got Married or even Back to the Future.
Jen Lancaster’s twist is quite unique and well told. The heroine, Lissy
Ryder, is quite a self-centered, thoroughly distasteful individual; and
everyone at her 20th High School reunion has no problem sharing that with
her. Playing on the Whitesnake song name, she is able to return to her
high school “glory” days and relive it one more time. Hopefully a little
better this time.
So we have the classic tale of repentance and redemption, but with a twist.
The story explores how we are all interconnected with those we share this
planet with, and how what is best for us isn’t necessarily best for all.
Ultimately the message is we need to fix ourselves where we are, right now,
and not waste our time looking for a shortcut. It won’t be easy, but it
will be worth it.
On the downside, it seems to me a lot of the book was a Hollywood infused
masturbatory fantasy about what popular girls are really like; at least how
they think. My experience is most super popular people (or a
self-contained clique, like jocks for example) really do not think about,
or care about those outside of their group. Most of their teasing,
bullying, and physicality is directed to within the group than without it.
It is when someone on the outside tries to get to the inside and is
rebuffed, they perpetuate the belief that the group is out to get them. Be
that in thought or deed. Thus all behavior exhibited by the group becomes
a self-fulfilling prophecy to their belief it is all about them. (Please
note there are always exceptions as the occasional sociopath can turn up
anywhere).
Side Note: I listen to this book on CD as I drove to and from work. The
author decided to read the book herself (probably because most of her
previous work has been memoirs, so more appropriate), so good on her for
trying. But unfortunately outside her own voice she was sorely lacking the
vocal acting skills to pull off the various characters and accents. It
took me several discs to not be too bothered by it. It would have helped
tremendously if she had hired this job out.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 978-0-4512-3672-2
Copyright: 2013
Pages: 320
Quick Review: 3 Stars out of 5
Why I Read It: I was looking for a funny book that was just a story (non
mystery/thriller) to listen to on my commute to and from work.
Where I Obtained the Book: At my local library
Synopsis: Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high
school, Lissy Ryder doesn't understand why her glory days ended. Back then,
she was worshipped...beloved...feared. Present day, not so much. She's been
pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband, and kicked
out of her condo. Now, at thirty-seven, she's struggling to start a
business out of her parents' garage and sleeping under the hair-band
posters in her old bedroom.
Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her
present is miserable because of her past. But it's not like she can go back
in time and change who she was...or can she?
Author Biography: Jen Lancaster is the author of her own memoirs including:
as Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such A Pretty Fat,
Pretty in Plaid, My Fair Lazy, and the newest: Jeneration X.
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
No comments:
Post a Comment