And Then There's Margaret: A Laugh Out Loud Family Dramedy (Novel)

by Carolyn Clarke

Overview

For fans of Maria Semple's Where'd You Go Bernadette or Camille Pagan's I'm Fine and Neither Are You, comes the perfect laugh-out-loud dramedy AND THEN THERE'S MARGARET about marriage, midlife and a controlling, manipulative and self-absorbed mother-in-law thrown into the mix. MULTI-AWARD-WINNING debut novel, AND THEN THERE'S MARGARET, takes readers on a relatable and hilarious ride, as Allie realizes the only way to survive the angst of family is to let go....and let be.

"Perfect for women's fiction books club wanting to explore complex and turbulent family relationships. It's a playful coming of (middle-age) novel." -IndieReader

When Allison Montgomery's beloved father-in-law and long-time confidant passes away, her mother-in-law, Margaret, 'temporarily' moves in. From rearranging the furniture and taking over the kitchen, to undermining and embarrassing Allie at every turn, including funding her daughter's escape, throwing a hissy fit at the mall, and publicly equating Allie's glass of Chardonnay to full blown alcoholism, Margaret turns Allie's life upside down causing her to bounce between a sincere desire to support her grieving mother-in-law and an intense urge to simply push her out of the nearest window.

Feeling annoyed, trapped and even a little childish, Allie struggles to avoid a complete meltdown with help from her fearless and audacious best friend, a plan for reinventing herself and enjoying a second act, and, yes, a few glasses of Chardonnay. Along the way, Allie discovers the reasons behind Margaret's attitude toward her all these years. Does it help? Maybe...

2022 Chick Lit Cafe - CLC Book Excellence Award Winner - Women's Fiction/Humor

2022 Indie Book Awards Finalist - Chick Lit (Fiction)

2022 Maxy Awards Winner - Literary & Humor

2022 Readers' Choice Book Awards - Finalist - Best Adult Book

2022 Readers' Favorite - Finalist - Humor/Comedy

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684339938
Publisher:	Black Rose Writing
Publication date:	07/21/2022
Pages:	258
Sales rank:	160,575
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Carolyn Clarke is founder and curator of Henlit Central, a blog focused on 'life and lit' for women over 40. And Then There's Margaret is her first novel. She has been an ESL teacher for over sixteen years and has co-authored several articles and resources with Cambridge University Press, Macmillan Education and on her award-winning blog ESL Made Easy. She lives in Toronto, Canada with Tony, her two daughters, and bulldog, Sophie.

Editorial Reviews

2022-05-12
Clarke’s debut novel presents the story of a tempestuous relationship between a woman and her daughter-in-law.

In an unnamed American suburb, Allison Montgomery is a mother of two who feels stuck in a rut, so she signs up with her local gym. As she fills out the membership forms, she receives a call from her husband, Hank, informing her that her beloved father-in-law, George, has just died: “I took another deep breath, feeling a stinging sensation in my eyes so bad I closed them. He’s gone.” Soon, Allie’s mother-in-law, Margaret, arrives at their house, bringing with her a huge suitcase that suggests that she won’t be leaving anytime soon. Allie and Margaret have never seen eye to eye, and Margaret still criticizes her, ignores her wishes, and makes decisions about what’s best for her two children without consulting her. Now, both women must learn to coexist as they face such struggles as Hank and Allie’s troubled marriage, son Cameron’s impending driver’s test, daughter Samantha’s suspicious new boyfriend and uncertainties about college, and Margaret’s adaptation to a new normal without her husband. Over the course of this novel, Clarke offers a tale that’s often funny and sharp. Her characterization of Margaret does occasionally slip into a monster-in-law caricature at times, offering very little to redeem her or create a sense of deeper understanding between the two women. However, some humanity does begin to shine through toward the end of the book. Clarke weaves in aspects of the uncertainties of middle age, including Allie’s search for a new career that will make her feel passionate again. Allie’s visits to the gym, which features an intimidating young receptionist, are particularly comical.

An often entertaining story of a middle-aged protagonist who finds a new connection with her in-law and a new lease on life.

Kirkus Reviews