She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

I whipped this book off the library shelves in a huge rush. Only when I got home did I notice the stamp of disapproval: "Oh no, it's an Oprah Book Club book!" I've read two other books that carry that well-intentioned seal, and disliked both of them. Normally, I now give these books a wide miss. But I'm glad I didn't this time because She's Come Undone is a very entertaining light read.

We get to watch little Dolores Price growing up from the age of four, coping with a home life that is extremely fraught with difficulties, each one perfectly ordinary and plausible. This book looks at how the frailities of the parents are visited on the child, and what she plans to do about that as she grows into adulthood. In Dolores' case she begins by hiding in front of her TV set and eating herself into the size of a house. I'm impressed by the way Wally Lamb works in synchronous references to television shows Dolores watches over the years - the way she uses it as an alternative life, a mirror, and a point of reference for anchoring herself in the real world... I guess we all do that a little bit.

"My long straight hair was definitely my best feature. I ironed it every morning, whether I was going to school or not, reasoning that split ends were a small price to pay. I hung my head forward then flung it back, watching my hair fly, my hoop earrings sway, I sort of looked like Julie on 'The Mod Squad' in a way. I liked her style, the way she seemed bored with everyone. She'd been on Merv Griffin the week before my mother cut the plug. 'I don't see it as acting,' she'd told Merv. 'It's just...being.'"

It also may be worth mentioning that I wrote this review in a café and the young employee with the raggedy haircut was really enthusiastic when she saw this book on my table. She gives it a rave review.

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