The Widow Waltz

by Sally Koslow Narrated by Meredith Mitchell

Overview

Georgia Waltz has things many people only dream of: a plush Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park, a Hamptons beach house, valuable jewels and art, two bright daughters, and a husband she adores, even after decades of marriage. It's only when Ben suddenly drops dead from a massive coronary while training for the New York City Marathon that Georgia discovers her husband-a successful lawyer-has left them nearly penniless. Their wonderland was built on lies.



As the family attorney scours emptied bank accounts, Georgia must not only look for a way to support her family, she needs to face the revelation that Ben was not the perfect husband he appeared to be, just as her daughters-now ensconced back at home with secrets of their own-have to accept that they may not be returning to their lives in Paris and at Stanford subsidized by the Bank of Mom and Dad. As she uncovers hidden resilience, Georgia's sudden midlife shift forces her to consider who she is and what she truly values. That Georgia may also find new love in the land of Spanx and stretch marks surprises everyone-most of all, her.



Sally Koslow's fourth novel is deftly told through the alternating viewpoints of her remarkable female protagonists as they plumb for the grit required to reinvent their lives. Inspiring, funny, and deeply satisfying, The Widow Waltz explores in a profound way the bonds between mothers and daughters, belligerent siblings, skittish lovers, and bitter rivals as they discover the power of forgiveness, and healing, all while asking, "What is family, really?"

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Koslow's fourth novel . . . is well-written, page-turning domestic fiction about a family's reinvention and healing that will attract fans of Elizabeth Berg." ---Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

Former McCall's editor-in-chief Koslow (Slouching toward Adulthood, 2012, etc.) choreographs an entertaining but lightweight story about a mother and two daughters who are suddenly forced to redefine their lives and relationships step by step. Georgia Silver-Waltz becomes a 50-year-old widow when husband Ben suffers a fatal heart attack while preparing for the New York marathon. Thanks to Ben's lucrative law practice, Georgia's lived a pampered life, and the couple has always indulged their two daughters. Nicola, aka Cola, Korean-born, was adopted as a baby. She's drifted from one interest to another without much to show for it, but she can slice and dice with the best of them thanks to a stint learning a few culinary skills in Paris. Louisa, or Luey, was born to Ben and Georgia a year after Cola was adopted. She's rebellious, brilliant and often resents her older sister. But when mother and daughters find themselves virtually penniless--at least as far as upper-class New Yorkers are concerned--they come together, not always harmoniously, and do what they have to do to survive: sell their apartment, put the family's East Hampton beach house on the market, auction off valuables on eBay and--gasp!--get real jobs. Georgia edits essays for students applying to college; Cola accepts a position working at her uncle's exclusive jewelry store; and enterprising Luey starts a business as a dog walker/sitter. As the family's dynamics change, each woman discovers her own special strengths and develops stronger bonds with the others. Georgia, determined to investigate Ben's actions and uncover what happened to their holdings, works to hold together the family and support her daughters' decisions, Luey's in particular. And when the money trail finally unravels--no surprise to readers since the plot is pretty transparent--Georgia resolves issues about her own future. Koslow knows how to please her target audience; although there are a few missteps, particularly toward the end when the resolution seems hard to swallow, the perfectly frothy, romantic story will appeal to readers who want a few hours to engage in a different world.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170550821
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	12/10/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged

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