Objects of My Affection: A Novel by Jill Smolinski (Touchstone, $24.99, 307 pages)
It is very easy to be drawn into this little story with a big message. The narrator, Lucy Bloom, could be any single mom you know. She cares deeply about her teenage son who has become a drug user. As is her pattern in life, Lucy springs to action a little too late. She sells her house to pay for his drug rehab stay in Florida. Lucy, who wrote a book about organizing (Things Are Not People), happens to be out of work. In a move to keep herself fed, she takes on the job of clearing the home of a hoarder. The hoarder is approaching her 65th birthday and wants to put her home in order before the birthdate arrives. Lucy has about eight weeks to accomplish the daunting task.
Both Lucy and the hoarder are mothers who have vastly differing views of life. Each has a son and the sons seem to be similar in their self-centeredness. While this novel is poignant from the perspective of each of the main characters, it also carries the message that being a mother does not mean losing yourself. This reviewer found the message encouraging for parents. It seems to say that realizing you own role in life as well as those around you is very important for each of us.
Author Jill Smolinski’s narrator, Lucy Bloom, is best summed up as self-effacing, yet not a total loser. Lucy’s newly-found skills learned the hard way while clearing out the jam-packed house, include the value of recognizing true friendship and going after what matters most to her. There is enough drama and suspense to keep the reader engaged and the dialogue is snappy without becoming a parody of the sensitive characters that populate this tale.
Highly recommended.
Ruta Arellano
A review copy was provided by the publisher. “Simultaneously breezy yet thought provoking, this is a fun read that stays with you.” Sarah Pekkanen, author of These Girls and The Opposite of Me.
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