Dandelions in a Jelly Jar (The Lake Emily Series #2)

When the TV Show "party of five" was on the air I didn't much like it. I though the characters were annoying and I couldn't believe how many horrible things could just keep happening to one family. Since most of their problems were a direct result of bad life choices I was continuely frustrated by them-- yet I watched the show every week and HAD to know what happened to them. Traci Dupree's...more

When the TV Show "party of five" was on the air I didn't much like it. I though the characters were annoying and I couldn't believe how many horrible things could just keep happening to one family. Since most of their problems were a direct result of bad life choices I was continuely frustrated by them-- yet I watched the show every week and HAD to know what happened to them. Traci Dupree's Lake Emily series is very much the same. The biggest difference I see though is that I do like the characters a little more than the poor Salinger's. Still, I have very little in common with these characters, in spite of that, I was very compelled to find out what happens to them in their small town where they all pray together, go to church every sunday, drink hot Chocolate in crisis and each chapter wraps up with every little problem working out, just like on an hour long TV show. Life in Lake Emily isn't particularly easy, and yet I didn't feel all that emotionally connected to their problems. The writing is good and as i said compelling, but there's still something missing- a real world angst, even bitterness is not there. While as comforting as that is to read, it leaves the novel slightly lacking. The novel left me feeling muted, like I was in a world of pastels, where vibrant reds and cobalt blues would just be too shocking, to realistic. If you're shell shocked from the death toll in 'Deathly Hallow's' I recommend a visit to the Lake Emily Series, starting with 'A Can of Peas'. You'll find comfort and a gentle read, but no alcohol. (July 2007)   hide