Friday, April 13, 2012

Fancy White Trash

Fancy White Trash 

by Marjetta Geerling
4/5 stars
Review by: Marina

Click on picture to go to the record in the library's catalog.

Abby Savage is the only normal one in her crazy, Jerry Springer show family.  Her mother has been married and divorced from her father twice and on her third marriage with “The Guitar Player” who has been around the block with both of Abby’s sisters.  In response to her family’s flexible morals and driveway fights that entertain the neighborhood, Abby developed her own set of rules for love to ensure she does not wind up like the rest of her family.  Problems arise when her ex-boyfriend (and best friend’s older brother) shows up in her life again and does not meet any of her rules, especially since she thinks he might be the father of her niece.  Geerling’s writing, while unexceptional, is solid and humorous.  Abby’s mood shifts from teasing and sarcastic to tears realistically, given her chaotic situation.  The novel is predictable, but Abby’s personality, the quirks of her family, and the side story of her best friend coming out of the closet are enough to keep the pages turning.  Throughout the story Abby is the first person to make snide remarks about her family and also the first to defend it, clearly illustrating the love-hate relationship so many of us are familiar with and the strong bond of the Savage family despite its extensive problems and backstabbing.  Between the realistic depiction of family dynamics and the human nature habit of wanting to watch the train wreck, this novel will be sure to delight.    

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