Book Review: The Best Place to Be

The Best Place to Be
A Novel in Stories
Lesley Dormen
Simon & Schuster, 2008; 174 pages

It has been a few months since I have been able to read something not for a school assignment. I forgot about this part of continuing my education. And I must admit that when it came time to read The Best Place to Be, I was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of fitting it in somewhere between theology and church history and fundraising papers (weird combination, I know). But I am glad I did.

Lesley Dormen, in my opinion, captures the style of "novel in stories" expertly, weaving a cohesive narrative, but letting each chapter also stand alone as a story unto itself. Though I have to admit that I did not quite like her main character, Grace, from the first story, Dormen captured my attention somewhere in "The Secret of Drawing," and Grace became much more heroic than she seemed at first. As Grace's story rounds on itself, I found myself wishing for my own "best place to be."

I think I found a little of myself in Grace Hanford (or a little of what I may find in 20-some-years). The independent, self-determinedness covers all manner of transgressions for this character - not excusing, but explaining in blunt truth. This, I think, is what made the fitting in of the stories not so much a chore, but a welcome escape for a few hours.

Check out Dormen's discussion of her work and this novel here, (I particularly like her reasons for writing a nonlinear story, and her discussion of the story "I Asked My Mother," which was my favorite).

More reviews and tour stops organized by TLC Book Tours can be found here.

Order The Best Place to Be for yourself at Amazon.com here.