Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(AP) - "Who Asked You?" (Viking), by Terry McMillan
Terry McMillan treads familiar territory in her latest novel, "Who Asked You?" Four sisters and their families struggle through life, love and real-world crises.
Once again, the author of "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" creates a memorable and realistic, if not entirely likable, cast of characters _ featuring strong women who also are wives and mothers. They face contemporary problems _ drug addiction, incarceration, Alzheimer's, homosexuality _ in imperfect ways. And that's what makes their stories so realistic and their personalities so empathetic.
At nearly 400 pages, "Who Asked You?" is a breeze to read despite the heavy themes. The sisters and their families become neighbors, almost friends, to readers, and it's hard to let them go as the book nears its conclusion.
As usual, McMillan's dialogue is spot on, and her understanding of pop culture infuses her story with unparalleled realism.
McMillan does nothing new here, but why should she? Her books tell richly textured, insightful and funny family stories. It's what she does best.
___
Online:
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
