"Life is a soap opera!"
PUDDLES is about a woman who watches soap operas and discovers that her life seems to resemble one, and a dark one at that!
Is there any light at the end of the story? You'll have to read PUDDLES and find out!
Professional Reviews
Midwest Book Review
At first blush, Puddles appears to be a simple tale of everyday life. The author herself describes this story as a "soap opera", but I thought it went far deeper than that. What Ms. Barry has here are a few small slices of the real world revealed.
The voice of this story is Susan, who is both blessed and cursed. She's blessed with what seems to be the ideal marriage and a wonderful stay at home life, cursed with a rebellious, sexually active daughter and the spectre all loving wives fear the worst - her husband's infidelity. The author made me care about the characters, their joys and sufferings. When Susan's doting husband, Jeff, lusted after his sex-starved secretary, I was enraged. And when her best friend reveals an alternative lifestyle, Susan's struggle to accept this bit of knowledge made me chuckle.
You'll find a little something for everyone in this book. You can help Susan solve a mystery and face danger with her. And you can laugh, struggle, and rage right along with her, just like I did, as she tries to make sense out of a life gone askew. Ms. Barry transplanted me into Susan's life. I lived it with her. Not many books throughout the years have managed that.
-Reviewed by Laurel Johnson for Midwest Book Review. Johnson is also the author of The Grass Dance
Syracuse NewTimes
Puddles. Lynn Barry. (America House Book Publishers, Baltimore; $19.95/softcover). Syracuse resident Barry grew up telling tales about imaginary people to entertain herself and her sister. Now Barry has created a world of soap opera-like proportions with Puddles. Amid struggles that turn the main character Susan's tidy and ordinary world of homemaker and mother upside down, she's forced to reconcile her idyllic fantasy of home life to the reality she faces. As secrets reveal themselves, Susan turns to her faith to try to become the woman she's meant to be, not the cookie-cutter wife and mother she thinks she should be. In essence, Susan experiences a second coming of age. This short, entertaining book leads readers into the struggle for identity in the midst of personal turmoil, while managing to capture the triumph of the human spirit.
My wife Kim just finished 'PUDDLES' and absolutely loved it! She commented she 'wished I'd give up the 'Creepshow fiction' and write like you!
I'm just now into BJOYFL and am finding it a fresh, enjoyable read. You have a unique prose that is a true pleasure to delve into. Your talent is obvious, but also your love of writing shines through in every character...every word...and every page.
Thanks again for the honor of recieving your signed novels...
Remember the simple joy of childhood pleasures like finding images in clouds and jumping in puddles? That's where Lynn Barry got the title for "Puddles" and it's the feeling you get as you read it. Although the characters are facing some pretty big problems, the story has such an underlying sense of faith and appreciation for the little things in life that are really important, you can't help feeling uplifted as you read.
The plot is compelling and uncluttered with flowery prose that gets in the way of the action, and all the subplots come together for a satisfying ending. The characters are realistic and so varied that readers of all ages and genders should relate to at least one of them and empathize with the others.
This is a book that reminds us to laugh at ourselves and enjoy those occasions when we're so busy living we walk right into one of life's puddles.
Reviewed by Byron Abrams
12/29/2002
Sounds great, Lynn. Modern day subject, modern day events. My wife, another Susan, and I are gonna love it!
Being a man I was surprised to find myself sympathizing and even identifying with Susan as she struggles to understand her friends and family.
Reminiscent of 'Payton Place', her life really does resemble the afternoon soaps she loves to watch.
Puddles is a completely believable, smooth flowing account of ordinary, and not so ordinary, life.
It reminded me of Erma Bombeck's 'The Grass is Always Greener over the Septic Tank', but with more substance.
A wonderfully moving story with never a dull moment, where love and faith conquers all. And, Mrs. Barry has accomplished this without bludgeoning the reader with crude or distasteful language.
I highly recommend 'Puddles' to anyone who wants to be entertained and titillated.
This is a definate must read! I'm sure we all can relate to this story of reality and fantasy meshing together.
Reviewed by Abby Parks
8/10/2002
Not a single word is wasted in this straight-forward story which weaves the struggles of at least ten characters together to produce a seamless study of how lives can fall apart in the blink of an eye, but can also be sewn back together. The author's low key approach to character description and narrative leaves much to the imagination, which lends the reader a chance to explore the complexities of the tale unhampered by absolutes. Laced throughout PUDDLES is a nonchalant humor that at times causes the reader to laugh out loud (i.e. Susan splashing herself with White Shoulders perfume the night she has a romantic evening with her husband). There are also stages where this tale becomes quite dark, but the shades of humor in Lynn Barry's blue-ribbon writing help the reader through these moments without great duress, casually letting the reader in on the fact that stuff happens, and that a little bit of tolerance and understanding, coupled with faith in God, can go a long way. If you enjoy fast-paced reads that keep you up until the wee hours of the morning, you'll love a romp with Susan through a string of perhaps muddy, buy quite engaging PUDDLES.
Lynn,
I love this review! It could be a page right out of my life story. It's ironic how similar
lives can parallel each other without sitting in on conversations or being in the same
household. It's surperb! Way to go, girl, you've got a winner.
Joyce Rapier
Windy John's me 'n tut
authorsden.com/joycelrapier
So wonderful, Lynn. I can feel the frustration of both mother and daughter. I am going to BUY this book.
Reviewed by Lori Bingley
5/16/2002
The cover not only invites you to stop and take a look - but the excerpt makes you want to run out and buy!! Great job, Lynn! You are woman - hear you roar!!! Lori
Reviewed by Larry Bohall
5/3/2002
Excellent, Lynn...I particularly like your use of dialog...very realistic, and it advances the story!
"Puddles" is a compelling story about the challenges that mothers and wives cope with in our society to-day, having to deal with teenagers and their concerns; problems of abuse facing younger children as well as holding a marriage together. A good read.
Reviewed by Annette DeLore
4/22/2002
Way to go Lynn! This is a must read book, for everyone out there thats been a parent or soon to be a parent. Why don't our children come with manuels when they are born. :) I have to go now to PA and order this book, I need to see the rest of the story.
Good Luck and I'd like to see Puddles become a movie.
Annette DeLore
Reviewed by Paul Morin
12/11/2001
I'm intrigued by what I've read here. Nice work Lynn and congratulations on your successes. I wish you all the best.
Okay, first let me just say that fifteen-year-old Natalie is a trip!!!! I think we all can relate to either have a mother too overbearing as she innocently try’s to build a good relationship with her daughter, or having a child that’s so innocently independent, that ultimately the two worlds collides... And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
See, to me, this story unfolds into a million PUDDLES of lessons learned, at certain times a fury of hate, and without a doubt, a double scoop of love…
I enjoyed trying to guess what was going to happen next, and smiled at the realization that I couldn't have been so wrong. Although at times it reads as a soap opera, it's totally unpredictable. I can't wait to see this hit the big screen... An ABSOLUTE must read!
Reviewed by
12/4/2001
Very nice Lynn! This book looks wonderful.
I wish you success with it.
Erika Michelle, author
Heaven's Fury On Hell's Cafe
Reviewed by Miranda Prather
11/29/2001
Excellent use of dark humour to keep the reader engaged and interested, and at the same time to challenge the reader's own pre-conceived notions of life. Worth the $!
Reviewed by mike
11/24/2001
Every once and awhile I happen upon a book by just browsing this site. I have really been caught by this first chapter and I'm about to purchase so that I can read on. The characters are already developed in a very unique way.
Reviewed by christy
11/20/2001
just reading the first chapter makes me wanna go out and buy it. it sounds like a really good book. i cant wait to read it.
Gripping! I was immediately drawn into the confusion and frustration! "A slice of life" for many families today. I want to know what happens next. Best wishes and much success!
Evelyn Horan
Ahhhhh.... At long last! ... The book I have been dying to get my hands on! And, it is about bloody time! (smile)... I'm on my way to PA to order it now! Way to go Lynn!...
Victoria Taylor Murray
Thief Of Hearts'
'Forbidden'
Reviewed by Santiago Stella
10/28/2001
Dear Lynn,
What a story! I am really intrigued. It seems to have everything. I have no doubt it will be a major success. Great cover also. It leads you into the mood of the story.
Congratulations.
Santiago V. Stella
Author of
A WARRIOR ON HIS PATH
Married ten years, and more in love than ever, Robert and Marcie have everything to live for. But a terrible secret is breaking Robert's heart: he knows that Marcie is about to die...
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Deputy Dave Jenkins investigates the murder of local high school principal, Jerry Egge, but this is a multi-faceted novel that deals with spiritualism, romance, friendship, and children who fall through the cracks.
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