Noah's Ark

A sharp and sweet, romantically (and comically) explicit story of single motherhood and re-marriage as only British author Trapido can devise. I first read this witty tale in the mid-80s, when I was a struggling separated mom in a "picturesque" cottage with jasmine vines that bloomed through the cracks in the wall - I strongly identified with Ali, her bohemian lifestyle and her second-hand spinster ways. Now twenty years later, this is still on my "re-reading" list (despite a few outdated touches) - I have found my "Noah", we live (mostly) contentedly surrounded by our mixed-in family - and the accuracy of her depiction of married life the second and third time around and co-parenting is still keen, moving - and hilarious. Trapido is an almost forgotten treasure in the States - I place her with Margaret Drabble, Joanna Trollope and Laurie Colwin as delicious and sharp-tongued observers of women and marriage - years before chick lit arrived.