Tag: Contemporary Novel

ECONOGAL > Contemporary Novel

Meg & Jo

Posted on by Econogal

Remake of a Book

Virginia Kantra’s Meg & Jo is a contemporary re-write of the classic Little Women. Same character names but key differences in the characters. Especially in the treatment of the parents. There are many other parts of the book that not just stray but totally ignore the original. So, why keep the character names? I am not sure. But I did enjoy the romance between Jo and Eric as well as the relationship between Meg and her husband. And if movies can have remakes, why not books?

Focus on Meg & Jo

True to the original, Kantra focuses on the oldest of the sisters. Meg is a young mother struggling to adjust to her new identity. Jo is working in New York City in the restaurant business. The contemporary relationship is quite strong. Both make sacrifices to support their mother through her crisis.

Beth & Amy

The younger two sisters play a much different role in the modernized Meg & Jo. For starters, Beth lives to adulthood. Her character is as heartwarming as expected. Plus, she is successful. And Amy’s character isn’t as spoiled (nor as developed by the author.)

Greatest Change

The treatment of the character of Meg & Jo’s father was quite original in interpretation. He leaves a lot to be desired in the contemporary version. Kantra does not portray him as a military hero. Instead, his commitment to the shell-shocked returning men from the Mideast destroys his marriage. He fails to support his wife in her time of need.

If there was a similar message in Little Women, I missed it each time I read the book.

Recommendation for Meg & Jo

I enjoyed reading this contemporary version of an old favorite. And I am quite happy I stumbled upon it on the “New” table at my hometown library. Perhaps the name served its’ purpose as I instantly recognized and connected with the title. However, this is not a linear remake. The theme varies from the original. Kantra emphasizes the concept that duty begins at home. I concur. Look for a copy in your library.

The Grace Kelly Dress Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

The Grace Kelly Dress

There are a handful of iconic dresses and the Grace Kelly wedding dress is one of them. So, when I spied a novel thus named, I couldn’t resist buying. The Brenda Janowitz story is a winner. The Grace Kelly Dress is a generational story following the entwined lives of women connected to a “copy” of the famous dress.

Rocky

Rocky, the granddaughter, is a millennial through and through. CEO of her own company, she is in complete control of everything-except her relationship with her mother.

She dyes her hair to fit her mood and it is the something blue for the wedding. Additionally, each major event in her life is celebrated with a new tattoo. She is marrying a man hated at first sight. Drew, the soon-to-be husband brings some baggage into the story, but there is obvious love and affection.

Rocky is at odds with her Mom on just about everything regarding the nuptials. They disagree on cake, venue, music and most of all on the dress. She simply hates the idea of wearing a dress, much less a frilly copy of the Grace Kelly Dress with what she sees as hideous sleeves. Janowitz does an exceptional job of surprising the reader with the “rest of the story.” The mother-daughter duo have a shared history of loss.

Joan

Joan represents the sandwich generation. As a reader, I alternated between love and hate for the character. She is the most complex protagonist. And the one to alter the dress in the eighties. She added Princess Diana sleeves!

There is excellent foreshadowing in the storyline of Joan. The author deliberately portrays Joan at the beginning as shallow. Of the three main characters, Joanie grows the most. Her own relationship with her mother is awkward and colored by personal loss. Yet, Joan shows the greatest strength and resilience.

The Original Owner

The third story line of The Grace Kelly Dress originates in Paris, France. Just a few years after Grace Kelly is married, a similar dress is commissioned for a bride-to-be. Diana Laurent fell in love at first sight. Orphaned seamstress Rose designs a dress incorporating elements of the Grace Kelly dress. And Rose falls for Diana’s brother Robert, at first sight.

As the novel develops, the original owner is depicted as in conflict with her own daughter and as a support to her granddaughter. Distance between generations lessons the angst.

The Grace Kelly Dress

In addition to the relationships between mothers and daughters, Janowitz reflects on the social difficulties of each generation. Each of the protagonists overcomes prejudices. The three threads accurately portray the time periods.

Millennials will instantly connect with Rocky. Hopefully, older readers, reminded by the difficulties of the past, will also relate to her struggles of expressing her own identity. The Joan’s of this world are in a unique position. They are the bridge between the past and the future. While their generation struggled with many issues, they are now at a midpoint in life. Still active in life’s challenges, but solidified in their own personality.

Finally, much respect is due to those of Grand Mère’s generation. Wisdom comes with age. Kudos to Janowitz for this portrayal. She provides great examples in both primary and secondary characters.

The Grace Kelly Dress is a wonderful read. Complex characters and issues create a novel that can be enjoyed or dissected. Or both. I strongly recommend this book. This will make the 2020 Top Ten list and may find itself under a Christmas tree or two.

 

The Grace Kelly Dress Book Cover