This novel by Amy Bloom, her first since the wonderful book 'Away' came out, has all the quirks and charm that I have come to associate with her stories. This one is about a two-timing father who has two daughters by two different women. When his wife dies, his mistress drops his younger daughter Eva off at the wake and leaves her forever. The father is a weaker than weak character who married his wife for her money and has no idea how to take care of Iris, his older daughter, much less take on his other offspring. No matter, because Iris is able to manage both of them. Eva is brilliant and Iris has hutzpah and showmanship.
The bulk of the book is about how the two girls manage to grow up and make it in the world of post WWII, first in Hollywood and later on the east coast. The stories are not full of lightness and joy--they are bittersweet, which is the sort that Bloom tells best. This is a sweet quiet book which will hold you in it's palm and cradle you to the end.
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