Blame by Michelle Huneven (Book Group Selection for July)

291 pages
Published by Picador
$15.00

How can a book that starts out with the deaths of a mother and her daughter at the hands of an alcholic be a story of redemption and affirmation of life? Author Michelle Huneven tells the story of Patsy Maclemoore (college professor, convict, recovering alcholic)and her family and friends in a way that makes you wish they were real. Then, there's the richness of the plot. If you liked Olive Kitteridge for its character development, simple prose and descriptions of the local geography, this is for you....just switch-out Maine's rocky coast for the quiet, tree-lined streets of Pasadena. And if you haven't read Olive Kitteridge, you must! But also read Blame! Read both!

Reviewed by Susan