Monday, June 28, 2010

a second chance at youth.

I really enjoyed reading 29: A Novel by Adena Halpern. It was about a woman (Ellie) who had her 75th birthday and wished on a cake with only 29 candles ,(it was all that would fit) that she could spend one day being 29 again. Not exactly realistic, but extremely fun when her wish comes true and she wakes up as a HOT 29-year-old.

Halpern goes deep into Ellie's relationship with her 25-year-old granddaughter Lucy, who are very close, and share a lot in common even with such a vast age difference. They are both beautiful and love fashion, but what Ellie wants more than anything else is for Lucy to establish herself as a career woman BEFORE she settles down with man and starts a family. Ellie regrets marrying the first guy who showed interest (Howard), whom she is now wondering if she ever really loved. Halpern also takes us into the complicated relationship between Ellie and her daughter Barbara, who have communication barriers so high, they never took the time to understand one another.

Ellie feels as though she never really lived a full life, and is given a chance to live it differently for one day. What Ellie discovers about herself, her family and her friendships? I will leave you to find that out on your own.

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