Last Call (Thorndike Press Large Print Americana Series)

Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY ENTERTAINING
Review: A funny and charming love story that manages to address the current renewed interest in religion. Though Pedersen is not out to convert but rather to ask, can't we respect each other despite differing beliefs? One of the main characters is an outrageous Scot and he has all the best lines. But the women hold up their end in the wisdom department. Though Hayden's daughter Diana worries about him the way my daughters are starting to have concerns about me living on my own and therefore many of her lines made me laugh out loud. When Hayden says what a nice morning it is, Diana responds that it's the kind of weather people get sick in, because they're in and out of air-conditioning all day. The story is at heart a wonderful romance, but to leave it as such would not nearly do justice to "Last Call." It contains comedy, philosophy, great characters, enchanting descriptions of Brooklyn and Manhattan, and plenty of good old-fashioned storytelling. Also an incredible ending, which I won't spoil. But DON'T read ahead!

Rating:
Summary: Escape Into A Great Story
Review: Just sit back with a snack and enjoy some wonderful characters and a great romp through Brooklyn and Manhattan. No, there isn't much chance of all these events happening in real life, but it's a wonderfully absorbing and romantic tale. And Pedersen has managed to incorporate lots of things that we do deal with in daily life -- single motherhood, religious differences, aging parents, and of course the search for love and meaning. As with BEGINNER'S LUCK she does a terrific job presenting all these dilemmas with action, humor, and great dialogue, but there they are nonetheless. For me the book was particularly relevant when it came to the difficulty of a woman trying to be both mother and father to a son and also the questions surrounding assisted suicide. Just don't read the end first, or the epilogue (an amazing piece of writing!!). This has to become a movie, but I hope they don't ruin it.

Rating:
Summary: Funny & Original
Review: Terrific characters, great dialogue, original story. I read this book in two days and didn't want it to end, though the last few chapters were excellent. It's rare that you come across a new plotline in fiction, but this definitely succeeds in originality. Could it happen in real life? Maybe, but probably not. However that's why I read fiction and go to movies. My guess is that this book will remain on the favorites shelf at the bookstore for a long time. If you're a staunch Catholic then some of it may seem offensive, but by the time you reach the end you realize it's not at all, just questioning our faith the way most people do in real life.