Outward and Visible Signs

The characters in Gibert's first novel each have some quirk or eccentricity that they use to make sense out of the chaos of modern life. Jessie Shaney, a publicist for ShopEze Markets, writes slogans (alas, rarely approved) to represent the store and disapproves of those (not hers) that are chosen. Simon Peter Frank, a mail-order minister with a sincere vocation, loves obese Amy from the moment she gives birth in his chapel: he knows that God has revealed to him what passion is. Amy is married to Wayne, who doesn't love her and is not the father of her childhe just wants to take over her job at the library. Jessie is taking instruction in the Catholic faith before marrying Hosie, who was named after the cabdriver who drove his pregnant mother, Azalee, to the hospital. This band of lunatics all live in California. Gibert's bizarre and zany mixture of the seven sacraments, particle physics and honey-dip doughnuts will appeal to anyone who can find an inward and invisible grace, the tragicomedy, in America today. (May 14)