Women in Hats

by: Judy Sheehan

Published by: Ballantine Books, a division of Random House

Reviewed by Barbara L. Fielder

If you are a fan of the theater and love the drama that propels the characters, the director, stage manager, the high profile and the not-so-high profile actors, then this book is for you. Not only will you live their production drama, you’ll be catapulted into their real-life dramas, struggles, and emotions. You know right from the beginning, the story is shrouded by the histrionics of a famous star, Bridie. Her life on and off the stage, or in front of or away from the camera, is self- absorbed, sharp-tongued, blunt and totally charming.

Bridie’s life style and super-star status does not lend itself to motherhood, yet she and Frank Majors bring two adorable girls into the world. She has little or no maternal time for her daughters, Lilly and Leigh, or for sustaining her marriage with the girls’ father. As a result, the girls fend for themselves– their fate, fame or fortune rest solely in following their heart, or in the case of Leigh, following her stage director father’s footsteps.

Bridie and Leigh’s relationship is tumultuous on a good day. So, you can just imagine what takes place as their paths cross in New York when circumstances bring them together as director and star in the play “Women in Hats.” To make this scenario even more interesting, the play is written by Leigh’s dentist husband, Michael.

“Woman in Hats” is filled with high-strung, genuine raw emotions between an often-estranged mother and daughter, wife and husband, a reluctant-then-willing lover, and surrogate family members Kendall and Maddie.

Is there a happy ending? Does the play “Women in Hats” find success on Broadway? Do mother and daughter reconcile? Does Bridie redeem herself as a loving mother in the end? Does Leigh find happiness in her personal life with Michael, and a fulfilling career as stage director?

Take this book with you on vacation and happily discover the answers to these questions and more.

Armchair Interviews says: Another winner from Judy Sheehan.

Author’s Web site: http://www.JudySheehan.com