Chatting Books Online Day 239. Today's recommended book is Doll-Baby by Laura Lane McNeal.
I first heard about this book when some ladies came into the shop one weekend and after seeing all of the very Southern novels we carry one of them asked if we had Doll-Baby. I had not heard of this book at all so I asked her to tell me a bit about it. It sounded fascinating so I tried to order it but it was not currently available. The next day the same group of ladies came back into the shop and one of them had this book for me, they had seen a used copy at another shop while exploring our fair town and decided I needed to read it. So I did and I thoroughly enjoyed it but still wasn't able to order it. Periodically I have checked with our main distributor but until recently have not been able to find it available - and then guess what? It was suddenly available - and in paperback!
The book in set in Civil Rights era 1960's New Orleans . The characters are at the same time both endearing and eccentric ( I did say it was set in New Orleans, right?). Ibby Belle ends up being dropped off in New Orleans to live with Fannie, her grandmother, who has spent some time here and there in the local mental health facility; Fannie's housekeeper Queenie, and Queenie's daughter Doll. In this deeply evocative, quinticenitially Southern, coming-of-age novel you will find plenty of mystery, deception, drama and most of all love. Much of the book is set in Fannie's time-worn and ill-kept Queen Anne Victorian home which is crumbling down around them on Prytania Street (a street I know quite well as a matter of fact). Take a ride down the River Road with us and meet this engaging cast of characters in this flavorful debut novel by Laura Lane McNeal.
We currently carry the book in paperback. It is 352 pages and sells for $17.00 a copy.
To purchase a copy come see us at the shop during business hours or you can call or message me to have a copy shipped to you -Now mask up , stay positive and test negative!
