Secret Life of Eva Hathaway

Janice Weber has written several novels, all quite good if you enjoy this particular genre. This though, her first, if I am not mistaken, is by far the best. First though, you have to get over the idea that this is "merely" a chick-book," a term I hate with a passion, but is never-the-less a term often used now days. Yes, I suppose there are books that have a particular appeal for women who make up their primary fan base, and yes, there are books that appeal to males, again, being read by men only, for the most part; but truth be told, good writing is good writing and gender should play little part in the enjoyment of reading. In the Secret Life of Eva Hathaway, we have a heroine who is quite a mix. She is married to a computer genius, a computer geek, if you will, to which she is very much in love. Throw in an extremely eccentric mother by the name of Chuck, who is a sometimes fundamentalist religious nut and some time common drunk, several homosexual friends, odd ball lovers, a Karate Instructor who is her lover and a quirky out look on life, and you have the makings of a hilarious story filled with hilarious situations. Sex; yes there is plenty of that in this novel, but not to the extent of being only about that one subject. Our heroine leads many lives, all as different as the others and blends them together to make a story of a woman who, for lack of a better term, is "different." The setting is the 1980s and the author is a sharp observer of our mindless proprieties, social morals and do's and don'ts of life. She has a very quick wit with that can have you laughing out loud on one page and a tear in your eye the next. Her portrayal of a woman of the 80s torn between worlds and in the middle of changing times is the type of stuff that simply will not leave you soon. Eva wants it all, is not overly willing to give any of "it" up, and this makes for some very interesting situations. I have yet to talk to an individual who has not given this book at least two reads and have yet to encounter a reader who does not remember the work. This is one of those novels that, for one reason or another, simply will not leave you! I am not at all sure why this one is out of print now as it has turned into a bit of a cult classic. For a good read; one that you will not soon forget, I do recommend this one highly. Again, good writing is good writing and it is a horrid shame that this one is still not as available as it should be. Don Blankenship The Ozarks

I absolutely loved this book. It's laugh out loud funny! I've probably read it 6 times over the years and bought copies for all my friends.

This is an astounding book by a great writer. All of Weber's books are witty, inventive, and full of surprises, and Weber does conversational-style dialogue better than anyone else. This was her first novel, and perhaps her best. Like many of Weber's protagonists, Eva Hathaway Weaver is an independent, smart woman, unapologetic about her dreams and desires. She writes music (both sacred and, uh, profane) and is married to a man she truly loves and respects - but is caught off guard when she meets a man who challenges every fiber of her being. Weber introduces a host of original, unforgettable characters in the book - Eva, Martin, Paul and particularly "Chuck", Eva's mother. It's a crying shame this book is out of print; it simply lays waste to stacks and stacks of chick-lit pretenders in its wake.

i have also lost this book after having lent it to friends too often, since then i look for it whenever i'm abroad, a book that makes you laugh and cry at the same time, it is a story of a writer of hymns, married to a computer nerd, her gay friends, her mother, and of course her love affair with the karate instructing opera singer, bizar and wonderful story. i thoroughly enjoyed this book, i continue to hope it will be reprinted.

I lost this book after lending it to countless friends, and I've thought of it often over the past decade. It is fiercely feminine, while it retains its femininity; the story makes you laugh even as you feel Eva's longing and pain. Her mother and her lover are real, flawed and entirely believable. And, above all, women get a sense of perspective on the things we THINK we want and those we don't. I've never felt this way about a character, and I've read MANY books. After all these years, I miss my brave yet scared; religous yet irreverent; funny and articulate Eva.Someone out there please bring her back.