Letting Go of Bobby James, or How I Found My Self of Steam

Sally Jo (Jody) Walker is a young woman from Purley, Texas who seems to enjoy coleslaw --- so much so that she has to share her own special recipe with everyone. This appears to be the main subject of her letter to a businessman named Mr. Teeter. But LETTING GO OF BOBBY JAMES isn't just a simple commentary on what the best recipe for coleslaw is or the fine convenience of food markets. It's the story of how a young woman's determination to make a better life for herself unwittingly changes the lives of those around her. Jody is only sixteen when she marries a young man named Bobby James. They met at a school dance, and it seemed to be love at first sight. They are now on vacation in Florida and Jody doesn't think life can get any better than this. But Jody's perspective on life changes drastically when Bobby slaps her and she hides in the gas station restroom. It is at this point that Jody decides to create a new future for herself --- without her husband. After taking a bus to Jackson Beach and spending the night in a parked car, Jody begins searching for a job. She is hired as a dishwasher at Thelma's Open 24-Hour Cafe and Grill and becomes friends with a waitress named Marilyn. The only thing left for Jody to do is to find somewhere to sleep. She decides that the best place is the local cineplex. The next day she goes to a thrift shop to buy some work supplies and witnesses the plight of a weary cashier, who seems to be in a worse situation than Jody. Jody later finds out just how bad the situation is. The girl is named Effaline; she is pregnant, living in a shabby apartment complex, and is currently unemployed. The two teens quickly become friends and Jody returns to the cineplex for the night. She writes a letter to her mother in the ladies' restroom and then goes to sleep in the theater. When she wakes up, she meets a sweeper named Dooley who is worried about losing his job, but wants to be Jody's friend nonetheless. Jody slowly starts to form a new life and future for herself. At the same time, though, she's trying to deal with the unfortunate fact that the relationship with her family will never be the same again. She meets a few more interesting people and realizes how unique her life is becoming, especially when disaster strikes and Effaline, Dooley and Jody are faced with one of the greatest tests of all --- a test that, in the end, shows just how Jody found herself "full of steam." LETTING GO OF BOBBY JAMES is a very good book that stresses the importance of each person's life, no matter how simple it may be. The story is poignant and funny, in terms of the relationships between Jody and her friends and co-workers. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading realistic fiction or has delved into Valerie Hobbs's work before. Just like Jody's coleslaw, you'll find yourself wanting more after the first taste. --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle ([email protected])