The Shortest Distance Between Two Women

June 1, 2009
The Gilford family’s yearly reunion encompasses the lives of matriarch Marty Gilford and her four daughters, especially youngest daughter, Emma, 43, who has spent a good part of her life doing whatever her mother and sisters want without really thinking of herself. Then Samuel, a voice from her past, calls up to rekindle their romance and throws Emma’s well-ordered life into turmoil. Emma is forced to do some tough self-examination and to embrace her sisters for who they are—good and bad. Radish displays an intimate understanding of boisterous families, and as a veteran at portraying female relationships, her affection for her characters shines through, but she’s covering a lot of familial ground here, and it’s easy to confuse the characters. Also, the complaining, put-upon Emma is not totally sympathetic. While those familiar with Southern families will delight in a taste of home and there are many funny parts, overall, Radish’s latest falls short.

July 1, 2009
Emma Gilford is 43, single, and childless. To distract herself from what she doesnt have, she channels her energy into other avenues: her job; her elaborate garden; her favorite niece, Stephanie; and trying to keep her familymother Marty and elder sisters Erika, Joy, and Debrafrom driving each other insane. When the Gilford Family Reunion rolls around and planning begins, the stress of always being put upon and taken advantage of by her sisters pushes her over the edge. She begins to refuse their requests and mouth offlike she has never done before. Her sisters and mother are shocked, but they suspect something else is ignitingher outbursts. And theyre right.Emmas old boyfriend Samuel, gone for so many years, is now leaving insistent messages on Emmas answering machine at the worst possible time for Emma toreevaluate her love life, let alone her entire family. Popular and prolificRadish offers a touching story about strong women and family bonds.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)