What Became of Her

This book was totally different from anything I've ever read because the topic was so unusual. A lot of the characters in the book took an important part in the story, but the main character was E.C. Tobbit. He was a good student, sort of shy. He didn't have many friends and liked to make jokes and make people laugh. He liked to write and was basically a normal kid. The story takes place in a quiet town named Peligro. At least it was quiet until Mrs.Slaymaster,a rich, snobby woman moved into town. She had a niece named Julie, and she and E.C. hit it off right away. E.C.'s only and trouble-making friend Neil and Julie also hit it off, and the three become best friends. One night E.C. discovers Mrs. Slaymaster's old diaries and finds out how bad and embarrasing her life was and why she hated her hometown. That's when the trouble with Neil and Mrs. Slaymaster started. Neil gets caught stealing in her house and gets arrested. Mrs. Slaymaster plans to leave to get her niece away from them. Everything seems to fall apart when E.C. realized he could lose his two best friends, and he takes matters in his own hands to try to make things right. You shouln't read this book if you can't stand waiting and the suspense this book holds. It seemed to me that the author just seemed to make the plot more interesting and long, and I just wanted to know what would happen. It was all worthwhile in the end, though.

In Kerr's 12th novel, narrator Edgar befriends Julie, the desparate-to-be-liked adopted niece of the town's eccentric Queen of Greed. Mrs. Slaymaster is a landowner who carries around a leather doll dressed in designer duds (the doll, Peale, is said to be a good luck charm). Edgar and Julie pal around with socially eccentric buddy Neil, forming tight threesome. When Edgar finds an old diary or Mrs. Slaymaster, he discovers the secrets of her unhappy childhood, and discovers how past shapes the present and future. As, Julie, Neal and Edgar speculate on their own futures, they learn the outcome is never what you expect or plan for. Julie, a dramatic "spiller" believes that the "dude with a scythe" has an appointment with everyone, and you never know when your number will be up, a theory that will no doubt appeal as much as the sprinklings of poetry and pop culture. Fans of Kerr will recognize the familiar themes in the struggles between the haves and the have-nots, the interwoven stories of two generations, and the cruelty of children (and teens) to their peers. As in her other novels, Kerr has fun playing with names here too: the town of Serenity is anything but, the Slaymaster estate is nicknamed Danger; Sonny is a father; and most characters. The cover art is disappointing. Although the background photo of a valley with a shining estate at the top of a hill is beautifully colored, the superimposed image of Julie doesn't match up with her description in the book. Teens who can keep up with the various characters and each one's significance will be rewarded for their efforts when it all comes together in the final chapters; a hasty sketch of who's who may be in order. A must have if you are a Kerr fan.

What Became of Her was a bittersweet story of three teens- EC, the narrator, a boy who is expected to be rational; Neal, the odd boy with a background littered with losses and trouble;and Julie, the sheltered, 'underveloped' girl who falls for Neal. This story became stories within a story- Julie's 'Aunt's' life growing up in this small town, teased because of her innocence; of EC and the family life he leads;Neal and the suicide of his dad;Julie, who needs to find something within her; and Peale, the doll who is the center of the Aunt's life. A beautiful, well written story- if read between the lines, you realize with age may come wisdom, but that doesn't make any of life's decisions any easier.

The premise of the book immediately intrigued me: a wealthy widow whose best friend is a 2 foot leather doll? And everyone just accepts this? I just had to read this book!I discovered that this intriguing idea is just one of many plot lines interwoven in this rich, detailed and complex story. This isn't one of those novels you can bring to the pool and just sort of read-- if you aren't paying attention, you will miss out! The book encompasses the past and present of several families in the town of Serenity. The first person narration is excellent- the angst and curiousity of Edgar is real and fresh. As he unravels the history of Rosalind Slaymaster, her doll Peale and her niece, Julie, he discovers things about his own family and friends.If you are like me, you'll try to figure out things before they happen... but usually Kerr manages to stay one step ahead, creating a book full of surprises, humor and sadness.As always, Kerr has presented readers with an intelligent, real and "different" sort of novel that promises a rich reward for those who pick it up and give it their full attention.

Serenity, Pennsylvania has not lived up to its name, at least not for Rose Fitch, now Rosalind Slaymaster. As a child, Rosalind was tormented by her classmates, now she has returned to her hometown, blowing in like a violent storm. As each character gets caught up in the path of her force, the reader learns that the past of the town and its members can effect the present. Pay careful attention to all the people mentioned, each vignette has a purpose, and it is quite gratifying to discover all the web-like connections between the characters. Highly recommended for family drama and/or mystery lovers. This book has many elements that will entice all.