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Tracee is a runaway bride and kleptomaniac. Lana's an audacious beauty and a recovering alcoholic. Rita is a holy-roller minister's wife, desperate to escape her marriage and discover whether she actually has a mind of her own.
One warm summer's night, these three women go on the lam together. Their car breaks down on a rural highway in North Carolina and they're forced to seek shelter in a seemingly abandoned nightclub. Which is where they meet Marcel. And soon everything changes.
Marcel, you see, is a lion, a retired circus performer stuck in a cage in this godforsaken roadhouse. And through admiration - one might even say love - for Marcel, our heroines find a way to confront their complicated pasts and fight for the strange, embracing relationships they've formed out in the middle of nowhere. They ultimately navigate their way back to their own hearts - and ours.
Written with the deftness, humor, and sparkling wit that have marked her books, plays, and movies, Delia Ephron's The Lion Is In is an unforgettable story of friendship, courage, love - and learning to salsa with the king of the jungle.
Delia Ephron, author and screenwriter, has written many books for children and adults, including the recent novel Hanging Up. Her film work as a writer and producer includes the movie Hanging Up, as well as You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and Michael. She lives in New York City.
Anonymous
Posted April 17, 2012
I loved this book! I picked it up on a whim when I needed a quick read that was not too heavy and would draw me in quickly. The back cover was so intriguing that I couldn't resist. It is funny, whimsical, and makes you truly care about each character. I'm a slow reader, yet I finished this book in about 3 sittings. The author weaves in the characters past history to help you understand the conflicts in the present, and moves the characters through revelations and redemption and new found love. The relationships developed among the characters are unique and endearing. It is one of those feel good stories with an ending that is hopeful and tied up with a nice bow!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.j_loves_booksJS
Posted April 15, 2012
The Lion Is In is one of those wonderful books that you will fly through in a short time. The adventures of three women,on the run begin when they find themselves stuck in a small North Carolina town and working in a bar that houses a lion named Marcel (yes, a real lion). This majestic king of the jungle has a mystical and wise sense about him. Lana, Tracee, and Rita, each have their own struggles that we learn of that have led to them to being on the run, but through their relationships with each other and Marcel, over time each of the women begins to heal the wounds of their pasts and find a new road to travel in life. The Lion Is In starts off as a whimsical, joy-ride of a book fueled by Ephron-style humor but by the final page, the deep meaning about the power we have to change the course of our lives and the power of the human and animal spirit to rebound will touch you deep in your heart and bring a smile to your face.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 26, 2013
Very thought-provoking book, enjoyed it
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SunnygirlNY
Posted January 25, 2013
While there were some cute passages in this book, on the whole I would say it is sophomoric at best, and ridiculous at worst. I think anyone beyond their 20's would agree with me.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.3.5/5
I'm always interested in the origins of a book - how do writers come up with their ideas? Does something specific spark that first line? In Delia Ephron's case the answer is yes......
"This book happened because of an anxiety attack. I was worried about something… something that I knew wasn’t going to be resolved for a while, and I thought how can I ever get through this? And that night when I went to sleep, I had a dream. A most vivid dream about three women and a lion. When I woke up, I wondered for a second if what I dreamed was real. Then I knew it was my next novel."
Lana and Tracee (who is wearing a wedding dress) pull over to the side of the road with a flat tire. And along comes Rita, calmly walking down the side of the highway, on her way to - well, she doesn't really know where. Rita helps fix the tire and accepts a ride to wherever the young women are headed. The trip ends in North Carolina when the old Mustang breaks down again. Between the three of them, they have little money, no clothes, no anything. So, they break into a shabby looking roadhouse for the night. And discover that the name of the bar - The Lion - is, in fact reality based - there is a huge old lion in a cage inside. And so begins The Lion is In.
I was engaged right away - I wanted to know the reasons behind that wedding dress and the older woman walking alone on a highway. A lion in a bar promised quirky and Ephron delivered on that promise.
Each of the characters (including the supporting cast)is flawed or wounded to a certain degree. But they're all trying to find their footing and break away from what's holding them back. And segue to the lion - Marcel -yes, that's his name - though caged, is the catalyst and the impetus that sets them free.
The Lion is In was a quick, fun read for me. Yes, you have to suspend disbelief a few times, but if you're in the mood for a heartwarming, feel-good read, this is a good bet. Nothing too deep, although I did like Tim's Theory of One. " All you need is one person to make a difference in your life. You can have the world's most awful life....but if one person believes in you, you'll be okay."
Delia Ephron is also a screenwriter - remember that movie - You've Got Mail? The Lion is In has the same feel - lots of off-centre, quirky characters (Tim is a favourite), odd situations and the hope that it will all work out in the end. I could easily see this book being made into a movie.
Anonymous
Posted July 4, 2012
Great read. Fun, gripping, and touching. Fast read that has depth and little side stories that give it holding power. Highly recommend if you like animals and the human spirit.
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Posted April 30, 2012
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Anonymous
Posted October 18, 2012
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Overview
Tracee is a runaway bride and kleptomaniac. Lana's an audacious beauty and a recovering alcoholic. Rita is a holy-roller minister's wife, desperate to escape her marriage and discover whether she actually has a mind of her own.
One warm summer's night, these three women go on the lam together. Their car breaks down on a rural highway in North Carolina and they're forced to seek shelter in a seemingly abandoned nightclub. Which is where they ...