I’ve admired Francine Prose’s novels since I read Blue Angel, a cunning story of a college professor who becomes involved with a student. In Prose’s latest novel, My New American Life, a 26-year-old Albanian nanny’s story of coping with America becomes both a cultural critique and a twisted version of the immigrant experience. Lula is hired by a wealthy banker to baby-sit his teenage son. The banker’s wife, Ginger, has abandoned her husband and son and travels the world sending postcards and making middle-of-the-night phone calls from foreign countries. As in all the Francine Prose novels I’ve read, the plot twists and curls in unexpected ways. You might have a notion of where the story is going, but time and again, Prose proves you wrong. GRADE: B+
I’ve been wondering about Prose for years. Somehow I got her confused in my mind with another author. I’ll have to try one of her books.
You might want to start with BLUE ANGEL, Jeff. That’s the Francine Prose novel that hooked me.
She’s a terrific writer. Love that cover.
The cover on MY NEW AMERICAN LIFE is certainly eye-catching, Patti. I’ve liked every Francine Prose book that I’ve read, including her non-fiction.
They made a movie of her book HOUSEHOLD SAINTS, with Tracy Ullman, Vincent D’Onfrio, and Lili Taylor.
I’ll have to put HOUSEHOLD SAINTS in our NetFlix queue, Jeff.
I am very fond of her novel MARIE LEVEAU about the Voodoo priestess
Francine Prose’s characters tend toward uniqueness, Scott. You’d get a kick out of MY NEW AMERICAN LIFE.
OFF TOPIC – the Vance crime novel collection from Subterranean Press arrived today. Very nicely done! I’m looking forward to reading it. I wonder if they are planning on another collection of novels or short stories of his crime fiction? By the way, that’s a socko cover.
I hope Subterranean Books publishes more of Vance’s mysteries, Rick. DANGEROUS WAYS is a terrific collection: well designed, great cover, great production values. You’ll love it.