Saturday, April 26, 2008

Women In Hats-Judy Sheehan

Women In Hats
Judy Sheehan
Ballantine, May 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780345480088

Bridie Hart is a show business legend as America’s most beloved TV mom even if her show has been off the air for fifteen years. Everyone adores except her adult daughter Leigh Majors, theatre director, who wants as little to do with her famous mom as possible. She hides her connection to her late famous father and older sister. Leigh is irate with her spouse playwright Michael, who agrees that his mother-in-law would be perfect for a role in a play he wrote.

Bridie being Bridie tries to take over the production because she fears her offspring is incapable of performing the production and so does not want her to fail. Leigh is attracted to the stage manager, James and considers acting on her desire. Instead she confesses to Michael why he hurt her when he accepted Bridie for a part and her thoughts towards a fling, but she agrees that her mom deserves one more time in the spotlight.

This warm family drama focuses on the dysfunctional relationship between mother and daughter. The story line is filled with poignancy as Bridie tries to take over out of fear for her offspring while Leigh needs to succeed or fail on her own. Mindful of the song “Teach Your Children” by Sills, Crosby, Nash and Young, WOMEN IN HATS is an enjoyable contemporary tale.

Harriet Klausner

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