by Laura Lane McNeal
Published by Pamela Dorman Imprint
On July 3rd, 2014
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Pages: 352
Source: purchased
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I cannot recall where I read about this book but it sounded like THE perfect southern fiction read to tempt me away from the tumbling stack of review books. Southern fiction has soared to the top of my favorite genre – it’s like coming home although I’m already home. I’m guessing most of us feel that way when we read novels from our particular culture?
Twelve year old Ibby {short for Liberty Alice Bell} loses her beloved father in a tragic biking accident, Ibby’s mother moves her from Washington state to New Orleans {practically another country} and then drops Liberty off in front of her paternal grandmother’s home holding the urn with her father’s ashes. Ibby’s mother, Vidrine, doesn’t even see fit to walk Ibby inside to meet the grandmother she never knew. Vidrine and her late husband’s mother, Fannie, did not get along to put things a bit mildly. Fannie is a unique creature. To say much more about her would give the story away.
Whenever there’s a loss, there’s bound to be a gain somewhere else. You just have to know where to look for it. {Fannie}
Fannie’s long-time servants, Queenie and Dollbaby round out the household in the old rambling antebellum mansion in the heart of New Orleans. Queenie and Dollbaby take it upon themselves to teach Ibby the ins and outs of southern culture.
To tell you that McNeal used the backdrop of New Orleans as a primary character would not be spoiler-material. To tell you that McNeal’s best, most thoroughly drawn out character is the Crescent City would also not be spoiler-material. Finally, to tell you that you’ll be craving, and I do mean CRAVING, some good gumbo or crawfish after reading Dollbaby is only fair warning
This here is the Holy Trinity. Onion, celery, and poivron, or what some folks call bell pepper. Along with a touch of garlic and a smidgen of cayenne pepper, the Holy Trinity goes into just about everything I cook. {Queenie}
I have mixed feelings with my recommendation of Dollbaby. Why? Well, I felt like there were moments in the book that felt disjointed and characters who did not really change over time other than get a few years older. Events would happen and rather than seamlessly moving on I felt like the next events did not flow with what just happened. Suspending belief is the term I’m looking for – a couple of situations in the book were wrapped up way too neatly and I felt like the author could not decide which type of message she wanted Dollbaby to be – was it about Vietnam War? changes in America during the 60s? racial relations and tensions? the evolving role of the woman both white and black in the 60s. . .there were several story lines that could have been more fleshed out.
While I have a bit of reservation in wholeheartedly recommending Dollbaby, I do plan to read Laura Lane McNeal’s next novel, especially if it’s set in New Orleans {I’ll just make sure to put the gumbo on early}. Seriously, she’s got star talent. If she can make her characters come alive like she can her city then her books will soar off the shelves.
Dollbaby is a story about overcoming the obstacles we find in our lives and living life to the fullest every moment of every day. Life changes on a dime haven’t you heard? Have you read it? Do you find yourself drawn to books about your geographical culture, i.e.- Southern, Midwestern, Canadian, etc?