Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA

You're not going to find a bomb-making recipe in this funny novel although you get the sense that some of the characters are quite capable of trying to make one, a small one, mind, that goes fizz in a most spectacular way. Any rate, the novel's still a blast. I, Male, enjoyed it. My kids'school here in Asia has a PTA--I just might have to become more active.

What you notice first and foremost about Ellen Meister's debut novel is how humane she is as a writer. The women she writes about are real--they are not caricatures, they are not stereotypes. Instead they fall down, they embarrass themselves, they lose control. They lust, they fight, they envy, they are jealous. They are passionate, they are smart, they love. Basically, they are human. And in that, we love them and we root for them. And when the book is at its end, we have a hard time letting them go. Hard for me to say which of the three main characters is my favorite: is it the brilliant Maddie, who loses some of her self-esteem over the years when she believes that her marriage is broken beyond repair? Or is it quiet and unassuming Lisa, who seethes beneath the surface after a lifetime of taking care of her selfish mother? Or is it Ruth, who lost not only her husband but also the better part of herself after his stroke? The truth is, they are all my favorites. I cheered when Maddie realized that her marriage was only wounded from a bit of overuse, and when Lisa realized that she is her own best mother, and when Ruth regained the love of herself and all of the glories she has to offer the world. I cheered because I felt genuine affection for all of these women. I cherished their success and felt comforted by their friendship. But don't let the serious tone of this reader fool you. What you should know is that this book is also funny. Indeed, there are times when you will laugh out loud and shake your head in wonder at Meister's impeccable sense of timing (not to mention her eye for physical humor). In short, the book's a gem. And no less a gem is the audio companion--Lisa Kudrow reads with an exceptional ear for character, comedy, and good storytelling. In fact, I can't think of a better reader for the book. My favorite characterization of hers would have to be when she took on Ruth. The voice was exactly as I had heard Ruth in my head. And so the bringing together of Meister's words and Kudrow's reading means some classic entertainment. You won't want to miss out. Buy the book, buy the audio. Let yourself be wooed and wowed.

Because I see others have sufficiently given you the plot of Ellen Meister's book, I'd like to offer my opinion as to why this is a "must read". It's so skillfully written the reader feels like he/she intimately knows the characters, who are all extremely likeable for their faults as well as their strengths. In fact, these are people you wish you knew in real life; people you wish were your friends. The dialogue is extremely intelligent -- it's multi-layered with subtle jokes, wit, and sarcasm...and in some cases, pain. The Applewood setting is perfect, down to the descriptions of houses to some of the various stereotypes which somehow Ms. Meister handles with brilliant twists and turns to make them totally her own. I found myself rooting for everyone in this sparkling debut novel and the author did not disappoint. And yet the ending was far from predictable, Hollywood happy...again, the author deals us a few pleasant and unexpected surprises. At the risk of using a cliche, this is one of those books which once you pick it up, you can't put it down. For me, it was one of the most enjoyable reads of 2006. Buy this book! You will not be sorry.

Suzanne Podobinski leads the Applewood, Long Island elementary school PTA drive to raise funds to build a small stadium with everything going smoothly as everyone is in agreement and gets on with one another. That changes when a Hollywood location scout visits Applewood to ascertain whether Appleton Elementary would make a good locale for a George Clooney movie. That information sends the PTA members squabbling into two camps that of President Suzanne and three opponents. The enemies of President Suzanne are divided except in opposition to her and not wanting to spend time doing the symbolic PTA gig. Lawyer Maddie Schein is more concerned that her husband desires his cousin not her so the PTA is not important. Songwriter Ruth Moss is tired mentally after three years as the sole caretaker of her partially paralyzed spouse and dreams of making love with Clooney but guiltily settles for a local school superintendent. Lisa Slotnick wife of a millionaire computer genius feels as if her past has destroyed her standing when her alcoholic mother visits her. Still each of these ladies has their own PTA concept and will use extortion and blackmail to achieve their objective; but if they team up watch out Suzanne, Clooney and anyone one else challenging the Applewood PTA insurgency. Tongue in cheek, this understated battle of the suburban PTA moms is an amusing deep tale that focuses on how important it is to have time for oneself but also must believe in oneself. The four female protagonists are fully developed characters with self anointed VIP Suzanne battling to insure her three opponents remain divided while her adversaries know they must overcome their personal agendas and unite if they want to win. The contest brings out the best and the worst in the Applewood PTA. Harriet Klausner

If you like Jennifer Weiner, Jennifer Crusie or Susan Issacs, you'll LOVE Ellen Meister's Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. Fans of Richard Russo, Richard Yates and Tom Perotta will also enjoy the quality of the writing. The novel follows three women who bond when their kids' school is set as a location for a Hollywood movie (starring the fantasy-inducing George Clooney no less). These characters should not be dismissed as mere housewives, as they are very capable women who use their (often hidden) talents to go after what they want. They are sympathetic characters with depth whose friendship helps them overcome their domestic problems as well as a domineering PTA president. It takes place on Long Island, with its micro-stratified society that has distinctions that are imperceptible to outsiders. People there know where they are in the pecking order and feel an acute sense of superiority to those they see below them and harbor envy and resentment towards the people just above them. This fast-paced, very entertaining book is filled with great dialogue, quirky minor characters, laughs, tears and sex. A great beach read or book club choice, it is a book you will recommend to all your friends.