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Turnip Blues
As two seventy-five year old friends, Mrs. Kuzo and Mrs. Lemack, drive from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to visit the grave of blues-artist Bessie Smith, Mrs. Kuzo reflects on her life and is haunted by the death of her twin sister Annie
- GenresFiction
221 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 22, 2016
Although I didn't like several of the characters in this book (Mrs. Kuzo's kids, her mother, her brother, and several of the men), I loved the narrator and her best friend (Mrs. Lemack), the two ladies who make the road trip to honor Bessie Smith's grave. My sister has lived in Pittsburgh for many years, so I have some familiarity with the city, its Slavic ethnic population, and its steelworker subculture. I was also brought up Catholic and could relate so well to the characters' relationship with the parish and its priest. Parts of this book made me laugh so hard, my stomach hurt and I had tears streaming down my face. Here are two examples:
How good Gus looked was only half the attraction. The other half was the funeral home. I'm accustomed to places velvet drapes and sticky plastic sofas and temperatures set so low you lose feeling in your hands and feet, then get to wondering who's really dead, you or the customer.
And even funnier:
Father Serge was ten minutes late. I couldn't decide whether to lay claim to him at once or give the other old ladies - who'd arrived after me - front seats. Problem with going last was I might wait hours. The gals around here love the confessional. I've seen them take sandwiches, juice boxes, needlepoint, and knitting inside. Then march out two hours later with the better part of a baby sweater over their arm. I've always kept it short, five minutes at most, time enough to describe how I cursed Mrs. Kosavitch or wished I was dead. I'm a boring sinner.
I found this book purely by chance while browsing at a used book store to kill time. This is one of my favorite life experiences - the serendipity of finding a really fun book through the pure, random process of browsing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm sending it to my Pittsburgh sister to read. Although it's not her usual cup of tea, I hope it makes her laugh, too.
How good Gus looked was only half the attraction. The other half was the funeral home. I'm accustomed to places velvet drapes and sticky plastic sofas and temperatures set so low you lose feeling in your hands and feet, then get to wondering who's really dead, you or the customer.
And even funnier:
Father Serge was ten minutes late. I couldn't decide whether to lay claim to him at once or give the other old ladies - who'd arrived after me - front seats. Problem with going last was I might wait hours. The gals around here love the confessional. I've seen them take sandwiches, juice boxes, needlepoint, and knitting inside. Then march out two hours later with the better part of a baby sweater over their arm. I've always kept it short, five minutes at most, time enough to describe how I cursed Mrs. Kosavitch or wished I was dead. I'm a boring sinner.
I found this book purely by chance while browsing at a used book store to kill time. This is one of my favorite life experiences - the serendipity of finding a really fun book through the pure, random process of browsing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm sending it to my Pittsburgh sister to read. Although it's not her usual cup of tea, I hope it makes her laugh, too.
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May 30, 20122nd selection CML - Hilliard Branch Book Group - October 2000.
Turnip Blues is the story of a journey for two 75-year-old women, Mrs. Kuzo and Mrs. Lemack, on a road trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to visit Bessie Smith's grave.
During the trip, Mrs. Kuzo reflects on her life, while Mrs. Lemack keeps life interesting.
Though not a book you would find on the bestseller list, I completely loved the characters and the story. Many years later, I still recall my connection with them while I read.
I even wrote Helen Campbell about how much our group enjoyed her novel, and received a wonderful letter back from the author.
Turnip Blues is the story of a journey for two 75-year-old women, Mrs. Kuzo and Mrs. Lemack, on a road trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to visit Bessie Smith's grave.
During the trip, Mrs. Kuzo reflects on her life, while Mrs. Lemack keeps life interesting.
Though not a book you would find on the bestseller list, I completely loved the characters and the story. Many years later, I still recall my connection with them while I read.
I even wrote Helen Campbell about how much our group enjoyed her novel, and received a wonderful letter back from the author.
March 13, 2009
The strength of friendship and the willingness of a friend to go far beyond the expected to help a friend achieve a dream.
February 7, 2020
The main character , Marsha, narrated her life’s story through the lens of her reminiscences as she and her friend took a road trip. The narrative goes back and forth over time, with some funny scenes and descriptions that had me laughing. But there are a lot of nasty people in the book too.
The turnips show up every once in awhile as a dish served as part of a family meal. Since these families were all dysfunctional in one way or another, I imagine that’s where the expression “turnip blues” came from.
The turnips show up every once in awhile as a dish served as part of a family meal. Since these families were all dysfunctional in one way or another, I imagine that’s where the expression “turnip blues” came from.
June 18, 2021
Mrs. Lemack wants to visit Bessie Smith's grave in Philadelphia and get her friend Mrs. Kuzo to drive with her from Pittsburgh. During the trip Mrs. Kuzo reflects about her life and dysfunctional family. Interspersed are her interactions with her somewhat wacky car mate. Many of her family members are not very likeable. It's amazing that Mrs. Kuzo is as sane as she is. It was an OK read but not a favorite.
June 16, 2008
Fun and easy read
September 19, 2008
A sweet story about old friends. Not particularly deep, but a good travel or beach read.
March 11, 2009
This was another heartwarming book about growing old and saying the heck with it!
April 3, 2009
Fun book to read.
February 23, 2013
Fantastic - and Helen is a friend of mine (so I may be a bit partial!).
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews