Synopsis
Sarah, her estranged husband Luc, their son, and her sister Lisa, gather at the family chateau to see her dying father and the mother who is returning to the family she abandoned
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Reviews
This is a story of a misguided but well-intentioned family's rite of passage during a weekend at a chateau in the French countryside, ostensibly for a wedding. The tale, Shalit's first published in English, has three narrators: Sarah, a writer; Luc, her estranged, frustrated husband; and Jose, their adolescent son, who pretends to be a heroin addict to distract Sarah from her father Leo's impending death from cancer. Quirky characterization is Shalit's strongest suit, and she accomplishes it through the various minidramas that unfold in every corner of the house. Leo pines for the wife who left him, not knowing that she has come to France from Chicago to see the family. Though Shalit's observations about family relations or lack thereof are often funny, uplifting and wise, she does not fully explore her characters' deeper motivations, especially those of Sarah's free-spirited sister, Lisa, who remains peripheral despite being the title character. Though each narrative voice is distinct, the translation has these French protagonists use English-language expressions that seem out of character, such as "chatty as a parrot" or "looking chipper."
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Goodness knows, there's a passel of domestic furor and flurry within this novel's Jewish/French family, who are gathered for a wedding--but somehow the fuss and feathers have no more emotional depth than the plink-plunk of a rapid badminton volley. Leo, father of writer Sarah and Lisa, is apparently dying of cancer. But, now, along with his daughters and grandchildren--15 year-old Jos‚ and nine-year-old Miriam--he's attending the wedding of a relative of an old friend and fellow concentration camp inmate. Also around is Luc, estranged husband of Sarah; Luc is living with another woman. Absent is Jeanne, Leo's ex-wife, who left him over 30 years ago. The narrations of Jos‚ and Luc and Sarah alternate and reflect and comment. Why are Sarah and Luc on the outs? One's interest in this matter wanes as explanations increase, but it all has something to do with Sarah's lack of interest in Luc's work and his lack of interest in hers. Meanwhile, Jos‚ feels he needs to stir up things and pretends he's sneaking heroin; and Miriam, overhearing a conversation, thinks she's not really Luc's daughter and runs away. (Miriam's a precocious pain; she had once eaten rat poison when feeling rejected.) Then Luc is seen toying with a gun--and word comes that Jeanne is returning. How will Lisa take this, who's never forgiven the mother's she's never seen? Is Leo really dying? Throughout there are remarks about how thrillingly lively this family is. Certainly there's plenty of activity, but no player with any substance. French writer Shalit's fifth novel--and first US publication--is an accomplished soap-script that needs fleshing out. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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Lisa, Lisa
Seller: Ammareal, Morangis, France
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Softcover. Condition: Bon. Ancien livre de bibliothèque. Petite(s) trace(s) de pliure sur la couverture. Légères traces d'usure sur la couverture. Couverture différente. Edition 1992. Ammareal reverse jusqu'à 15% du prix net de cet article à des organisations caritatives. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Book Condition: Used, Good. Former library book. Slightly creased cover. Slight signs of wear on the cover. Different cover. Edition 1992. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this item's net price to charity organizations. Seller Inventory # D-434-682