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Maybe it’s not fraud; it’s probably not a felony, either. But, going along with her husband’s latest adventure, a road trip on which she is to impersonate a visitor in several West Texas hospitals, makes Dorothy Faye Bell feel like a criminal. The trip’s events cause a storm of emotion which clears only after she finds a person she had forgotten, or never really knew, herself. Hers is a story of the search for purpose in midlife, spiced with West Texas characters and her own brand of humor.
Her part in Harold’s scheme is to justify parking their only dwelling, a twenty-eight foot travel trailer, on the hospitals’ visitor parking lots – free – by posing as a visitor. That’s no surprise – he always has some odd scheme underway. After thirty-three years of marriage, Dorothy Faye does what she thinks a good wife should. She quits her job as a care attendant, packs her New York Times Crossword Puzzles book and not much else, leaves their home of twenty years, and hits the road, smiling even when she’s irritated.
This tale of two West Texans’ journey in Summer, 2000 takes the reader into hospital waiting rooms and other unlikely places where some of the people she meets benefit from Dorothy Faye’s “visits.” The story traverses the dual arcs of Dorothy Faye’s and Harold’s quests. He searches for answers to his secret health concerns and she for a purpose other than being Harold’s wife. She finds her answers. And Harold continues being Harold.
Her part in Harold’s scheme is to justify parking their only dwelling, a twenty-eight foot travel trailer, on the hospitals’ visitor parking lots – free – by posing as a visitor. That’s no surprise – he always has some odd scheme underway. After thirty-three years of marriage, Dorothy Faye does what she thinks a good wife should. She quits her job as a care attendant, packs her New York Times Crossword Puzzles book and not much else, leaves their home of twenty years, and hits the road, smiling even when she’s irritated.
This tale of two West Texans’ journey in Summer, 2000 takes the reader into hospital waiting rooms and other unlikely places where some of the people she meets benefit from Dorothy Faye’s “visits.” The story traverses the dual arcs of Dorothy Faye’s and Harold’s quests. He searches for answers to his secret health concerns and she for a purpose other than being Harold’s wife. She finds her answers. And Harold continues being Harold.
286 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2012
245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 24, 2012
A great discovery! Characters are excellent and a heartwarming story. Look forward to more from this author.
September 26, 2012
It is now almost midnight. I read nonstop.
Since I come from West Texas myself, I can attest to the authenticity of the characters in this novel. They are the type of people who populate our own special part of the world. Since I am a long-married woman "of a certain age," I can also identify with the struggles that Dorothy Faye has dealing with the changes in her life and in the relationship with her husband Harold and in finding a purpose after the immediate challenges of job and mothering small children are in the past.
I also found it interesting that with recent emphasis on the many contributions introverts make to society, someone whose skill is listening should arrive at an appreciation of her talent so late in life.
Finally, let me add that this book is not just a superficial coming-of-middle-age novel with local color--it is extremely well-written. The dialogue is spot-on for this section of the country. The narration is complex, combining the protagonist's journal entries with standard third-person narration. The use of crossword puzzles is intricate and unique.
This novel is an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
Since I come from West Texas myself, I can attest to the authenticity of the characters in this novel. They are the type of people who populate our own special part of the world. Since I am a long-married woman "of a certain age," I can also identify with the struggles that Dorothy Faye has dealing with the changes in her life and in the relationship with her husband Harold and in finding a purpose after the immediate challenges of job and mothering small children are in the past.
I also found it interesting that with recent emphasis on the many contributions introverts make to society, someone whose skill is listening should arrive at an appreciation of her talent so late in life.
Finally, let me add that this book is not just a superficial coming-of-middle-age novel with local color--it is extremely well-written. The dialogue is spot-on for this section of the country. The narration is complex, combining the protagonist's journal entries with standard third-person narration. The use of crossword puzzles is intricate and unique.
This novel is an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
November 17, 2012
I absolutely LOVED this story. Dorothy Faye Bell and her husband Harold are off on one of Harold's great adventures. He has purchased a trailer (the half-wide) and has convinced his always-agreeable wife to sell most of their possessions and live full-time in the trailer. His camping spot of choice are hospital parking lots. He suggests Dorothy Faye spend her days visiting in the hospitals while he goes off with his brother-in-law O.D. Dorothy Faye goes along with Harold's ideas because that's what she does, but as the "adventure" continues she starts to question her identity and her ready aquiescence to all of his suggestions. The story is told through her narration and through her personal journal, and it's accompanied by her crossword puzzle books. As she spends her days visiting with various people she meets in hospital waiting rooms and cafeterias, she discovers her gifts and purpose in life. I had a hard time putting this one down, and I was really sorry when the book ended!
September 25, 2012
A great story with immensely likeable characters that seem more like friends by chapter 3. I enjoyed the journal perspective and the crossword theme-both made the lead character, Dorothy Faye, interesting and more complex than one would assume at first glance. Although the book is seemingly about their journey on the road, the greater journey lies in the character's emotions and the lessons they learn from each other. I eagerly finished this one quickly, wanting to know how it would all turn out. A pleasure to read.
September 24, 2012
A truly memorable story that is well written and unique in approach. Characters are interesting and dialogue does not disappoint. A treat for the reader looking for something a little out of the ordinary.
October 29, 2012
first i chuckled, then laughed aloud, and then pondered the mysterious alchemy of relationships and family. A good read.
April 1, 2013
I liked this book. It was a very easy read. I loved the characters. Nice work Teddy! I'm glad you and Cameron introduced it to me.
November 18, 2012
I read it in one day.
November 11, 2012
This is the intriguing, light-hearted story of a marriage after 33 years, as the two examine their lives-the roles they play, their individual visions for the future, and how they will fit together for the rest of their lives. The format is to alternate the narrative with Dorothy Faye’s journal, giving us both the omnipresence of third person account and the intimacy of first-person participation in Dorothy Faye’s soul-searching, worries and conflicts. She relates her story with frequent references to difficult clues in her ever-present crossword puzzle book as she ties the answers to happenings in her life.
I related to Dorothy Faye from the beginning. as she takes off with her husband on his latest wild idea—selling everything and wandering around in a 28-foot travel trailer. A troubled first marriage is alluded to as well as her determination to make this her second marriage work. She has dedicated herself to making the best of whatever life throws at her, and finding ways to make lemonade out of lemons sent her way. Her husband is a good man, but she is frustrated with his lack of communication and wondering why their sex life has disappeared. The radical shake-up of her life causes her to reexamine her choices and her assumptions about her marriage and what she and her husband want and need from each other.
I identified all too well with her anxious attempts to please everyone and let others make decisions for her, but enjoyed her resiliency. As the couple’s adventures unfold, Dorothy Faye finds new talents, independence and purpose in life. I especially enjoyed watching her relationship with her husband and extended family change into something much better for all involved.
Dorothy Faye remembers being told that everyone has a story and just needs someone to listen to them. Dorothy listens and in return finds herself being listened to. I enjoyed the book and recommend it. I received it as a Goodreads Giveaway, but the thoughts expressed are mine alone.
I related to Dorothy Faye from the beginning. as she takes off with her husband on his latest wild idea—selling everything and wandering around in a 28-foot travel trailer. A troubled first marriage is alluded to as well as her determination to make this her second marriage work. She has dedicated herself to making the best of whatever life throws at her, and finding ways to make lemonade out of lemons sent her way. Her husband is a good man, but she is frustrated with his lack of communication and wondering why their sex life has disappeared. The radical shake-up of her life causes her to reexamine her choices and her assumptions about her marriage and what she and her husband want and need from each other.
I identified all too well with her anxious attempts to please everyone and let others make decisions for her, but enjoyed her resiliency. As the couple’s adventures unfold, Dorothy Faye finds new talents, independence and purpose in life. I especially enjoyed watching her relationship with her husband and extended family change into something much better for all involved.
Dorothy Faye remembers being told that everyone has a story and just needs someone to listen to them. Dorothy listens and in return finds herself being listened to. I enjoyed the book and recommend it. I received it as a Goodreads Giveaway, but the thoughts expressed are mine alone.
November 26, 2012
The novel seemed to be set in the present, but a lot of details placed the storyline pretty well behind the times. I found it very hard to identify with the main character being so subservient to her husband and being so willing to spend most of her days waiting around for him to show up from his adventures on the road. Lots of things made the story seem dated--women's roles, the computer being a real novelty, etc.
The main character is presented as a wonderful selfless soul on a voyage of discovery, but at the end she is still the good little subservient wife whose husband handles all the major life decisions and all the things that might be too much for her pretty little head.
I thought the author was trying just a bit too hard with the tie-in to crosswords.
This story was just a little too cutesy for my tastes--so not my cup of tea.
I slogged my way through this, but won't come back for any other works by this author.
The main character is presented as a wonderful selfless soul on a voyage of discovery, but at the end she is still the good little subservient wife whose husband handles all the major life decisions and all the things that might be too much for her pretty little head.
I thought the author was trying just a bit too hard with the tie-in to crosswords.
This story was just a little too cutesy for my tastes--so not my cup of tea.
I slogged my way through this, but won't come back for any other works by this author.
September 17, 2014
I really liked this book. Ms. Jones made me feel like she was relating actual happenings in her life!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews