The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow
Release date: 2009 / 303 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): The circumstances of Molly Marx’s death may be suspicious, but she hasn’t lost her joie de vivre. Newly arrived in the hereafter, aka the Duration, thiry-five-year-old Molly is delighted to discover that she can still keep tabs on those she left behind…
First line: “When I imagined my funeral, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”
Review: I really enjoyed this quirky little novel — “a delight” is what first comes to mind. In fact, I immediately requested her first novel (Pink Slips) from the library as soon as I finished The Late, Lamented Molly Divine.
The premise is a initially little off-putting perhaps — the narrator is dead. Molly is able to watch her loved ones grieve and investigate her mysterious death. On one level, this novel is a murder mystery — a genre I rarely read. But in other ways, this novel is exactly what I hope to read all the time — funny, smart, fast-paced, original.
And surprising — We quickly discover that both she and her husband have been unfaithful. However, we also realize that despite this, Molly and Barry’s marriage isn’t that terrible, either. These are just two surprises in a complex, intriquing novel.
Molly is very likeable, as are most of the characters. The few characters we do not embrace (Barry and his mother) are still 3-dimensional and difficult to dismiss. In fact, second to the razor-sharp humor, the complexity of most of the characters would be what most recommends this novel. I could imagine reading a novel from the perspective of most of the characters — even the two-timing husband.
Let me end with a couple examples of Koslow’s prose:
“It was ninety-four degrees, and the minute you stepped outside you felt as if a Navajo blanket had fallen off a mule and onto your head.” (132)
Ah, summer in New York City!
“When Brie and Isadora are pissed, it doesn’t end in plates sailing across the room. They’re alpha show dogs — an Irish wolfhound and a standard poodle. It’s been almost a year now and there has never been a bit that drew blood: they express their animus through posture, attitude, and the occasional preemptive bark.” (149)
So, I thoroughly recommend this novel and look forward to sharing it! If you think you might be interested, simply leave me a comment!
I put this book on my wish list a couple of weeks ago. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!
I have been reading abou this book and I think it sounds wonderful. I’d love to win a copy!
Sounds like a great book. I would love to be entered.
Thanks
sharon54220@gmail.com
I’m interested, too. Count me in, please. Thanks for the review.
Definitely an intriguing review. I may choose this for my next book club choice for October because it sounds unlike anything else we have read..thanks for reviews..you have given me many great ideas.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thank you for the chance to win it.
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Deb, Suzan, Angie, and Carol — You’re all in the running! I’m glad there is interest in this quirky book — I really enjoyed it!
You’re in the running, too, Florinda!!
Sounds like a fun book. Please put my name in for the drawing.
we have been looking for a light hearted book for our club to read after sevral heavy ones. Would love to read this one! Please put my name in the drawing! Thank you!
I am involved with 6 book discussion groups and would love a chance to preview this book for possible discussion.
The first line grabbed me…I’m on short hold list at the library for this one…a copy to share with book club members would be fabulous!
Loving this site!
Lynne, Melanie, Lora and Angela — You’re in the mix, too!!
My book group needs to read more books with humor. We have read such depressing downers lately. I would love to read and recommend this book
Yes! Seems ironic that a book told from the perspective of a dead protagonist would be uplifting, but it really is!
Hope i’m not late to be entered.
This sounds like a really neat book. Count me in.
This novel sounds interesting, I am a subscriber and would like to thank you for
this awesome giveaway.
I’d love to try for the book! Thanks hon!
I’m different from the Kim above, but I’d also like to be entered! I read about this book a couple weeks ago and thought it sounded like a good summer read!
I have been interested in this book since I first read about it. The quotes you shared are great. Thanks for providing this give-away!
Hi! Please enter me in the giveaway. I’ve been wanting to read this book since I heard about it on another website:) Thanks!!!
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