15 April 2011

Imprint Friday: Deep Down True by Juliette Fay

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Pamela Dorman Books. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.

Juliette Fay's second novel, Deep Down True, is grounded in an all-too-common life-changing event for contemporary women: divorce. Fay, however, doesn't stop there; instead she uses that base as a springboard to explore a variety of difficult modern issues. Here's the publisher's summary:

Newly divorced Dana Stellgarten has always been unfailingly nice--even to telemarketers--but now her temper is wearing thin. Money is tight, her kids are reeling from their dad's departure, and her Goth teenage niece has just landed on her doorstep. As she enters the slipstream of post-divorce romance and is befriended by the town queen bee, Dana finds that the tension between being true to yourself and being liked doesn't end in middle school . . . and that sometimes it takes a real friend to help you embrace adulthood in all its flawed complexity.
I am particularly interested in the idea that no matter how old we get, no matter our personal achievements, it can be so easy for women to find themselves reverting back to seventh-grade behavior. You see it in church groups, in local housing associations, at high school reunions, and even in social media communities.

Fay touches on other themes that will be sure to prompt discussions at book clubs and with your friends. Among these topics are eating disorders, the wisdom of always saying yes when one is asked to help, and the complex relationship separated parents have with each other and with their children.

Here are some other views on Deep Down True:
  • Swapna at S. Krishna's Books says: "Fay does an excellent job incorporating . . . important discussion points into the story and treats them very realistically. In fact, that is a word that perfectly describes this entire book--realistic."
  • Natalie at Book, Line, and Sinker notes: "I found myself wholly engrossed with Juliette Fay’s writing--honest and devoid of gimmicks. A book that could easily be categorized as ‘chick-lit’ becomes much more under Fay’s direction. Her prose is simple yet elegant."
  • Norah Piehl writing for Bookreporter says: "What seems on the surface to be a fairly lightweight, breezy sort of novel actually tackles a host of serious issues in a remarkably thoughtful fashion."
To learn more about Juliette Fay, visit her website where you can read an excerpt and view the book trailer. The publisher's website includes an author interview and discussion questions for the novel.

Pamela Dorman Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Pamela Dorman's introductory letter, posted here on December 3, 2010.

Deep Down True at Powell's
Deep Down True at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by Viking / Pamela Dorman Books, February 2011
ISBN-13: 9780143118510

12 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea 4/15/11, 6:35 AM  

I like the sound of this one, and it certainly sounds like a least a few quirky characters which I always love in a story. Great pick

Anonymous,  4/15/11, 7:55 AM  

I have a copy of this one packed away and now am even more anxious to pull it out and read it in the fall. I agree that sometimes high school or middle school never ends. Why are women like that at times? Something to ponder. Thanks for the highlight!

Swapna 4/15/11, 9:05 AM  

Thanks for linking to me! The "high school for life" idea really interested me as well.

Uniflame 4/15/11, 9:16 AM  

I wouldn't really know about the middle and high school feeling of being liked and popular. I always stayed true to myself really. It was not a choice that I made consciously, I just realized this later on that I always did. Of course this meant being an outsider. I wonder about this book :) I will look into it and see if I would like it. Thanks for bringing the book to my attention :)

Julie P. 4/15/11, 9:24 AM  

I really liked this one too! I could definitely relate to the "bullying" issues and the pressure to be perfect in today's society.

Martha@Hey, I want to read that 4/15/11, 9:32 AM  

This sounds like such a good book. While I belonged to a wonderful PTA group I have seen such bullying in other PTA's. It's a sad and fascinating thing about women. I'm adding this to my wish list. Plus, another beautiful cover.

Sandy Nawrot 4/15/11, 11:11 AM  

That attitude is alive and well out there, even in middle age, isn't it? It's all about those insecurities people have. I think this sounds wonderful, and touches on topics that are relevant to all of us.

bermudaonion 4/15/11, 4:01 PM  

I've had this on my wish list ever since Julie reviewed it.

Dorte H 4/16/11, 3:43 PM  

This one sounds interesting, and sadly it is so true that women can be horribly catty towards each other. Though I like most of my female colleagues, I enjoy having lots of male company too :D

Jenners 4/16/11, 9:50 PM  

Sadly that rings true that we never really seem to escape our 7th grade selves.

Ruth 4/18/11, 11:42 PM  

I added this to my TBR list. I guess I can relate to divorced women since I am one. Thanks for your review.

BookGeek 4/21/11, 1:15 PM  

I don't know if I could relate to the divorce part but I know for certain I can relate to the "unfailingly nice" part. I'll have to read this.

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