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Joody
Joody is a case study in Post-Dramatic Stress her drama, your stress. She is not a good mother; it isn't her fault she's allergic to responsibility. Her sister Janet may be a handy helper but that's only because she is dull, drab and predictable. Boring! Joody is ALIVE, emotional, provocative. It’s just a fact that men find her irresistible.
Joody's children, three half-siblings, may not be her highest priority (not even second) but she's given them life, hasn't she? Isn't that the ultimate gift? Aunt Janet buys them shoes, whoo hoo.
Four points of view on her sister, her young teen son, her son's absent-until-lately father plus her own reflection on a free spirit fettered by circumstance (kids). The crisis of Joody's fourth pregnancy pulls our narrators into view to sharpen our appreciation of a family in crisis illustrated by sisters in conflict.
Crisp dialog and witty prose put Joody on the page as well as voice Janet's exasperation with the gaps and lapses in the kids' care. She wants to believe Joody is careless, not dangerous, but at what point would she need to step in and take over? If it's now, she doesn't feel ready.
Aunt Janet has been the kids' ally, provider of comfort, bringer of fun. What she isn't is their mother. The facts of life are clear. Janet is single and childless. Nothing complicates her stepping forward to help, as far as Joody is concerned. Her goody-goody sister has time and money to spare. Too bad, so sad that their mother is an underpaid hostess at a restaurant (better known for its bar). Lucky for them they have a rich aunt.
Brent is the first man who left Joody pregnant. (OK, she didn't tell him she was pregnant when he broke up with her for cheating) ((which was a one-time mistake, really)). After all these years it isn't that he doesn't like Joody, the problem is he likes her too much. Looking at the boy now, there is no question he's the dad. It may have been stupid to waste years of his own life drinking and drugging, but it was a sin to deprive his child of support. How does he make up for that?
Bryce is the oldest child of a narcissistic mother, alarmed at her casual disregard for his sisters, captive target for her frustration. He’s teetering on a high-wire of he can’t tell Aunt Jan his mother threatens to kill herself because if he does tell she says she’ll take the girls with her. And leave him behind. Now, suddenly, he has a dad? Could Brent be even worse than his mother?
This is character-driven story telling; easy to read but hard to forget.
Joody's children, three half-siblings, may not be her highest priority (not even second) but she's given them life, hasn't she? Isn't that the ultimate gift? Aunt Janet buys them shoes, whoo hoo.
Four points of view on her sister, her young teen son, her son's absent-until-lately father plus her own reflection on a free spirit fettered by circumstance (kids). The crisis of Joody's fourth pregnancy pulls our narrators into view to sharpen our appreciation of a family in crisis illustrated by sisters in conflict.
Crisp dialog and witty prose put Joody on the page as well as voice Janet's exasperation with the gaps and lapses in the kids' care. She wants to believe Joody is careless, not dangerous, but at what point would she need to step in and take over? If it's now, she doesn't feel ready.
Aunt Janet has been the kids' ally, provider of comfort, bringer of fun. What she isn't is their mother. The facts of life are clear. Janet is single and childless. Nothing complicates her stepping forward to help, as far as Joody is concerned. Her goody-goody sister has time and money to spare. Too bad, so sad that their mother is an underpaid hostess at a restaurant (better known for its bar). Lucky for them they have a rich aunt.
Brent is the first man who left Joody pregnant. (OK, she didn't tell him she was pregnant when he broke up with her for cheating) ((which was a one-time mistake, really)). After all these years it isn't that he doesn't like Joody, the problem is he likes her too much. Looking at the boy now, there is no question he's the dad. It may have been stupid to waste years of his own life drinking and drugging, but it was a sin to deprive his child of support. How does he make up for that?
Bryce is the oldest child of a narcissistic mother, alarmed at her casual disregard for his sisters, captive target for her frustration. He’s teetering on a high-wire of he can’t tell Aunt Jan his mother threatens to kill herself because if he does tell she says she’ll take the girls with her. And leave him behind. Now, suddenly, he has a dad? Could Brent be even worse than his mother?
This is character-driven story telling; easy to read but hard to forget.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2011
162 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen K.
16 books19 followersKathleen K. has created a diverse library of Private Publications available through KathleenKBooks.com. THE LUNARIUM (One man's memories of the watchers and the watched) was NAMED TO KIRKUS REVIEWS' BEST OF 2013. Her eclectic collection features a mix of narrative fiction centered on family life, character study, literate erotica and a pair of counterculture fictional memoirs of Stoner.
Kirkus Reviews calls STAINLESS MARY “a witty and wise read, especially for fans of tough-minded heroines.” Kirkus Reviews is an independent reviewing service that Kathleen K. trusts for an honest expert opinion on all her books. Click here for her author page at KirkusReviews.com
Transplanted to the Pacific Northwest from the Great Lakes basin, she is a product of the small press-poetry culture with a background in alternative publishing. Her vivid use of language captures characters while life itself provides the twists and turns.
She has mastered make-believe. She makes you believe she's a tow truck driver who falls in love with a shattered family. She makes you believe she's a grocer with an after-hours fondness for pot and sex. She makes you believe she's an accountant hijacked in her car after work hearing the words: You, Drive North.
Kathleen K. drops readers into situations as diverse as the world of Honey B., Sexual Consultant, and of Baby Girl Battersea, fatherless heir to a family fortune in the clutches of her selfish uncle. These books are not linked by theme or genre, this is a rich collection of all-age and adults-only offerings comprising decades of production.
Sharp dialog, elegant prose and a sassy attitude give the audience credit for reading between, around and beyond the lines. Consistently praised for her ability to capture tone and emotion, Kathleen K. is a strong voice in contemporary fiction.
Becoming available for the first time in print and Kindle format, these Private Publications are varied in topic but easily identifiable as Words Arranged by Kathleen K.
Recognizing the varying tastes and tolerances in the reading world, there are two sites provided for reader comfort representing two sides of the emerging collection with eight of the twelve books available to buy.
KathleenK.com for family-life narrative fiction
KathleenK.xxx for sexotic counterculture publications
Kirkus Reviews calls STAINLESS MARY “a witty and wise read, especially for fans of tough-minded heroines.” Kirkus Reviews is an independent reviewing service that Kathleen K. trusts for an honest expert opinion on all her books. Click here for her author page at KirkusReviews.com
Transplanted to the Pacific Northwest from the Great Lakes basin, she is a product of the small press-poetry culture with a background in alternative publishing. Her vivid use of language captures characters while life itself provides the twists and turns.
She has mastered make-believe. She makes you believe she's a tow truck driver who falls in love with a shattered family. She makes you believe she's a grocer with an after-hours fondness for pot and sex. She makes you believe she's an accountant hijacked in her car after work hearing the words: You, Drive North.
Kathleen K. drops readers into situations as diverse as the world of Honey B., Sexual Consultant, and of Baby Girl Battersea, fatherless heir to a family fortune in the clutches of her selfish uncle. These books are not linked by theme or genre, this is a rich collection of all-age and adults-only offerings comprising decades of production.
Sharp dialog, elegant prose and a sassy attitude give the audience credit for reading between, around and beyond the lines. Consistently praised for her ability to capture tone and emotion, Kathleen K. is a strong voice in contemporary fiction.
Becoming available for the first time in print and Kindle format, these Private Publications are varied in topic but easily identifiable as Words Arranged by Kathleen K.
Recognizing the varying tastes and tolerances in the reading world, there are two sites provided for reader comfort representing two sides of the emerging collection with eight of the twelve books available to buy.
KathleenK.com for family-life narrative fiction
KathleenK.xxx for sexotic counterculture publications
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 29, 2015
Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.
This was an interesting read, that wasn't something I usually read. I can see some people finding things to relate to in this book. The dialogue in this book was on point. The tone in this book was capturing and something to enjoy. I would definitely read this book again. I would also recommend this book to people
This was an interesting read, that wasn't something I usually read. I can see some people finding things to relate to in this book. The dialogue in this book was on point. The tone in this book was capturing and something to enjoy. I would definitely read this book again. I would also recommend this book to people
January 23, 2015
JOODY is a case study in Post-Dramatic Stress Disorder. Her drama, your stress. She's the careless mother of three kids who clutter up her me-me universe. Her sister Janet is all about schedules and routine so she's welcome to supply good food and considered discipline while Joody pursues the life of ease she believes she deserves because everybody else has it so easy!
Four narrators bring to life a family in crisis through sisters in conflict. Janet knows it's not about her, or even about Joody: it's about the kids. A lifetime of watching her younger sister stir up other people's emotions hadn't prepared Janet to see that the kids weren't her sister's first prioirty, not even second. The first of the absent father-figures is drawn into view by the circumstances of Joody's fourth pregnancy. There's no more pretending Joody's ever going to grow up.
Joody's oldest is shepherd to his sisters, indentured to a selfish mother who hisses misery into his ear, she's furious she's been trapped by widowhood, left with two little kids who were no help to her at all then having a third when she already bored by the first two. This boy has grown up too fast, but he's not prepared to have his wish to one time meet his actual biological dad come true. His mom is nuts, in a familiar kind of way. What if this dad-guy was worse?
Finally, Joody lets us see it's not her fault, not really. She's allergic to responsibility, what's she supposed to do about that? She gave the kids life, a unique gift of existence only she could and did give, Janet bought them shoes, whoo hoo. Joody has big dreams
Crisp dialog, rich prose, capturing tone and emotion in an easy-reading format.
Four narrators bring to life a family in crisis through sisters in conflict. Janet knows it's not about her, or even about Joody: it's about the kids. A lifetime of watching her younger sister stir up other people's emotions hadn't prepared Janet to see that the kids weren't her sister's first prioirty, not even second. The first of the absent father-figures is drawn into view by the circumstances of Joody's fourth pregnancy. There's no more pretending Joody's ever going to grow up.
Joody's oldest is shepherd to his sisters, indentured to a selfish mother who hisses misery into his ear, she's furious she's been trapped by widowhood, left with two little kids who were no help to her at all then having a third when she already bored by the first two. This boy has grown up too fast, but he's not prepared to have his wish to one time meet his actual biological dad come true. His mom is nuts, in a familiar kind of way. What if this dad-guy was worse?
Finally, Joody lets us see it's not her fault, not really. She's allergic to responsibility, what's she supposed to do about that? She gave the kids life, a unique gift of existence only she could and did give, Janet bought them shoes, whoo hoo. Joody has big dreams
Crisp dialog, rich prose, capturing tone and emotion in an easy-reading format.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews