Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Review of "Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA"

Phew! I got a review from one of the most notoriously harsh trade publications and it's positive. Not only that, but really got the book and did a good job encapsulating it. Here's what they said:




SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA
Three conflicted housewives in Applewood, Long Island, long for something more fulfilling than what their families and their membership in the local PTA offer.

The Applewood elementary school is going to be the set of a George Clooney movie. Lisa Slotnick, Maddie Schein and Ruth Moss team up to make sure preparations go smoothly. The women find themselves pitted against a buff and blonde nemesis, PTA president Suzanne, who wants all the glory for herself. This leads to madcap escapades and silly sniping amongst the women. All in good fun. The juicy bits concern the women's lives outside the PTA. Each is trapped in a prison of family obligation and sexual repression. Ruth, whose husband suffered a debilitating stroke, is carrying on a steamy affair with the school's guilt-laden superintendent. Maddie, who is convinced that her beloved husband is sleeping with his cousin, decides to get him back by hooking up with her former best male friend from college. And Lisa is struggling to come to terms with her abusive and alcoholic mother, who has asked to move in with the Slotnicks while she attends rehab nearby. As each woman grapples with her emotions, the trio becomes closer in their attempt to bring the movie project to fruition and to thwart the wretched Suzanne. Ultimately, though, they succeed in the larger task of helping each other realize their dreams.

Comical yet poignant read without too much melodrama.

--Kirkus Reviews

14 comments:

Myfanwy Collins said...

That's OUTstanding, Ellen, and only just the beginning of the great reviews to come.

Ms. Lori said...

Wowie! Fantastic! Congratulations!

Oooooh, can't wait to read this. I'll be sure to post a review on my blog, because, as we all know, I'm more important than Kirkus. ;-) ;-) ;-)

David Niall Wilson said...

That is impressive, because like you said, Kirkus is pretty unflinching, and usually a lot quicker to talk somethign down than to praise it. Congratulations? I'm uncertain if I'm glad that none of my books has yet gotten a Kirkus review...I've done really well in PW and LJ - I'll stay over there (lol)

D

Ellen said...

Myf, Lori, Dave, Leigh ... thank you!!! Means so much to me!

And Lori, of course you're more important than Kirkus. If I had an ARC left I'd send you one today.

RobinSlick said...

As I've already told you, this is freaking incredible and only the beginning....

Oh. I see Myf said that, too. Well, it's true!

xo

katrina said...

Excellent review, Ellen!!! I am salivating to get your book!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Ellen! And it's such a good thing to get reviews this early - booksellers really pay attention to them!

Ellen said...

Rob and Kat ... thanks so much! You make me feel GREAT.

Melanie ... That's good to know. Thanks!

Katie said...

Congratulations, Ellen! I can't wait to read your book!

KrisT said...

Fabulous and there will be many more to come!

Ellen said...

Thanks so much Katie and Kristy!

Jackie said...

Ellen! What a FABULOUS review! This book is going to take the industry by storm!

kathryn said...

Ellen, this is brilliant. Congrats! You're a star!!!! A star! A star! xxxx

Ellen said...

Jackie and Kathryn! Great to see you and thanks!!