notanotherbookreview

Olivia, Joanna Cantor's narrator in Alternative Remedies for Loss (Bloomsbury Publishing, May) is  twenty-two, pretty and privileged. Her family isn't rich but comfortably middle class. Sharply aware and self-critical, Olivia knows she's cushioned by her family and yet is unable to stop herself from messing up. She tests her limits in a spiral less coming-of-age, than a struggle to manage the emotional turmoil after her mother's death. She wonders what would happen if no one helped her pick up the pieces--like her mother did. She is profoundly alone, trying to figure out not just her place but what, if anything, has value. Olivia's angst reminded me of The Sorrows of Young Werther, Goethe's autobiography.She is a heroine just as self absorbed and overly serious. But she possesses a wicked sense of social mores and a meter for hypocrisy equal to Austen's Emma . Olivia's ruthless perception spares not her brothers, complacent in their relationship...

WARRIOR (Harper One) is a compelling memoir by Theresa Larson (w/Alan Eisenstock) former Marine platoon commander in Iraq and fitness model. LOVE OF THE GAME (Avon),is a contemporary genre romance by Lori Wilde, whose protagonist is a PT yoga practitioner. THE GODDESS POSE (Knopf) : The Audacious Life of Indra Devi, the Woman Who Helped Bring Yoga to the West ,  is an astounding biography .  These very different books appear remarkably similar in story and theme. Each woman suffered a childhood upheaval/trauma and undergoes a journey for self-enlightenment. Each is grounded by discipline that might also be a psychological addiction. Each is confronted by a life-changing challenge she felt unprepared for, despite intensive training. Their quests include men but relationships pose more questions than answers. Alone they faced personal "demons." Whether that led to success or loss, at the end their lives are transformed.  Are these classic Journeys of the Hero(i...