cover image Ann Tenna

Ann Tenna

Marisa Acocella Marchetto. Knopf, $30 (240p) ISBN 978-0-307-26747-4

Marchetto (Cancer Vixen) spins a cautionary tale of celebrity warfare, family ties, and astral projection in this splashy book. Ann Tenna, the reigning queen of gossip blogging, has clawed her way to international fame and fortune. She’s as loathed as she is loved, but no one can ignore her. After a catastrophic car crash, Ann discovers that her destiny lies far beyond the red carpet and in the stars themselves. Ann has been called by the cosmic powers that be into service as a beacon of love and light for a cynical world. Allowed a few months to make the transition, Ann confronts family, friends, colleagues, and, most crucially, herself. Marchetto’s art balances glamour and sleaze to wonderful effect: Ann’s eyelashes are dramatically long, guardian angels prowl about in Versace originals, and goddesses wear two-foot-high platforms. With art and writing in perfect harmony, Marchetto has crafted a warm romp of a story that’s a tribute to feminine fantasy and midlife transformation, with its heart worn boldly on a beautifully tailored sleeve. (Sept.)