Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9411050009
SECTION: BOOK PAGE: E4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: REVIEWED BY KATHLEEN RATLIFF|
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Of the post-Woodstock books now appearing, this humorously sad novel is among the better ones. When Frederick Stone's wife of 20-plus years suddenly leaves him, he is bewildered and devastated. His life as he knew it is so changed it is unlivable without his beautiful, beloved Lorraine.
Frederick and Lorraine met at Woodstock and soon married. As sign-carrying hippies with many causes, they were searching for ways to correct society's errors. But like the multitudes gathered there, Frederick changes in every way after the wedding. He trades in his placards for a degree in accounting and a computer, and sets up a CPA business at home.
Lorraine is now Chandra - Sanskrit for "changeable" - but, ironically, she changes little. She continues her railing as an animal rights activist, parading with her like-minded sisters and teaching seminars in human psychology.
Cathie Pelletier takes us into Frederick's psyche as he wrestles with his loss. Memories of Woodstock plague him, as well as "whispers in the head," that only he can hear, from his high-school biology teacher Mr. Bator. His brother Herbert attempts to help him cope, with dinners at the China Boat Restaurant and lunches filled with martinis, fast becoming a part of his life.
The best part of the book is the ending, as we feel maturity settling in on Frederick.
He evolves through his jealousies, his conscience in avoiding Vietnam, the death of his mother and the final sale of his love-filled Victorian home. He concludes through his painful introspection that he wasn't such a "bad guy," and hopes someday Chandra will realize this too. He determines to move on to a different life, whatever that may be.
Cathie Pelletier takes a familiar theme and creates a nostalgic, strangely interesting story with encouragement for all who are forced to change. It's also tempting to compare the dissolution of this Woodstock marriage with the mud-slide ending of the Woodstock festivals.
Kathleen Ratliff is a former English teacher who loves to read.
by CNB