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Helena De Pasadena (2012)

by Lian Dolan(Favorite Author)

3.65 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Rai Editora

review 1: Fun, witty, a great summer read. I had never heard of Lian Dolan and the Satellite Sisters when I heard her speak at Sunriver Books in Oregon. She was hilarious! When she started talking about the book, I was hooked. It is set in Pasadena (I grew up nearby) and am familiar with The Huntington Library, The Rose Parade, and Vroman's Bookstore. I loved reading about these old haunts, but it gets even better - the main character was raised in Central Oregon (where I live now!). So all of her pokes at CO were just as funny as the S. California ones.Although the book is funny it also addresses serious themes and Dolan does a good job of blending these. I really enjoyed the characters (LOVE Patrick!) and had to keep reading to find out what would happen to all of them (finished i... moret in two days!).Highly recommend - perfect for reading by the pool, at the beach, or on the shore of the Deschutes (haha).Check out her podcasts too!
review 2: I hate-read this one. It is meant to be a satirical romance, but it fails on both attempts. Helen is a flawed character, but leaves this reader unsympathetic. She abandons her own sense of self for a man, and then her child, yet fails to see the fractures in her relationships. Pasadena is parodied, while there are some very wealthy residents, they are only a fraction of the population. And why is CalTech hardly mentioned? Helen and her girlfriends are judgmental and snarky hypocrites, but I guess sloppy snark is easier than thoughtful satire? BTW, in the end Helen moves to my neighborhood. Welcome? less

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