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The times they are a-changin’

July 6th, 2006 Mary K. - Central

I am a long-time fan of Elinor Lipman.  I like her dry sense of humor, her main characters and how she portrays their lives.  She usually tells her story from a woman’s point of view, often a young woman, as in The Inn at Lake Devine, one of my favorites. 

In her newest, My Latest Grievance, Lipman continues to follow that trend as she explores the world of a small woman’s college in the mid-seventies.  Frederica Hatch is the daughter of David and Aviva Hatch, both teachers at the school, both union activists (hence the title) and parents who attempt to include their daughter in all family decisions.  Their lives as houseparents in a dorm are fairly stable until the college hires Laura Lee French as a new housemother.  Laura Lee just happens to be David’s first wife, a fact unknown to Frederica until then.  She is surprised to learn that her totally honest and upfront parents have secrets.  Chaos ensues as Frederica befriends Laura Lee and then inserts her inquisitive and assertive self into various interactions.  This is a very entertaining and well written book and I highly recommend it.

Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction