cover image The Real Liddy James

The Real Liddy James

Anne-Marie Casey. Putnam, $26 (336p) ISBN 978-0-399-16022-6

Casey (No One Could Have Guessed the Weather) continues to probe the complexities of 40-something women's lives in her latest novel. Liddy James is one of New York's most successful divorce lawyers. Having literally written the book on how to have a healthy divorce, Liddy maintains a cordial, even friendly, co-parenting relationship with her ex, Peter, and his new partner, Rose. But when Rose's unexpected pregnancy coincides with teenage son Matty's behavioral problems and a divorce case that hits a little too close to home, it's clear that Liddy is just one step away from a breakdown. A return to her native Ireland may be exactly what she needs to remind her what's really important. Liddy's manic success, fueled as much by fear of failure as by ambition, offers rich potential for both humor and sympathy. Readers will enjoy spending time in her tumultuous company; they may even find themselves thumbing past the excessive sections devoted to Rose's less compelling quandaries, mostly stemming from her insecurities and lack of academic motivation. Liddy repeatedly asserts that she does not, in fact, know who she really is, which gets tiresome and a bit on the nose; nevertheless, readers will be rooting for this human manifestation of drive and blind determination to stop leaning in and start breathing in. And out. Slowly. (Sept.)