Island Girl by Lynda Simmons - Library Journal Review

I haven't reviewed a book for Library Journal for a while, but I always appreciate the opportunity to review books for them.  I review women's fiction there, and they send me the book with a quick turnaround time.  It gives me the chance to discover new authors, and read ones I might not have otherwise read. 

The following review appeared in XPress Reviews - The First Look at New Books, Nov. 5, 2010.

Simmons, Lynda. Island Girl. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). Dec. 2010. c.448p. ISBN 9780425237243. pap. $15. F

Wards Island can only be reached from Toronto Harbor by ferry or plane, but the distance is even more unbridgeable between Ruby Donaldson and her two grown daughters, Liz and Grace. Two years earlier, a tragedy forced Grace back home to the island, leaving an angry Liz to give up her career as a lawyer, turning to drink, while refusing to speak to Ruby. Ruby had wanted to protect Grace, who suffered from "mild intellectual delay," while Liz wanted to fight for Grace's freedom. When Ruby learns she has early-onset Alzheimer's, her goal remains to protect Grace from life while she tries to force Liz to return home to care for her sister. The three women alternate telling their struggle to reconnect despite Ruby's ongoing need for control.

Verdict:  Anyone looking for a story of strong women fighting for mastery over their lives will appreciate Simmons's second novel (after Getting Rid of Rosie). However, those who want a more in-depth look at dealing with Alzheimer's would be better served by Lisa Genova's Still Alice.—Lesa Holstine, Glendale P.L., AZ

Copyright 2010. Library Journals, LLC.  Reprinted with permission.

Lynda Simmons' website is http://www.lyndasimmons.com/

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FTC Full Disclosure - My review copy was supplied by Library Journal, for review purposes.