Here’s an AI summary:
"Woman Enters Left" by Jessica Brockmole is a compelling novel that intertwines the journeys of two sets of women from different eras. The story follows an actress in the 1950s, grappling with her husband's trauma from the Korean War and her own career transition, and two women in the 1920s traveling across the country, whose experiences are revealed through their personal journals. The narrative seamlessly shifts between these timelines, offering a rich, emotional, and engaging read. The inclusion of a screenplay within the book adds a unique layer to the storytelling. Overall, the book is a touching and enjoyable read, filled with moments of heartbreak and joy.
Accuracy assessment: A- (accurate enough)
Hi. Today I am reviewing Woman Enters Left by Jessica Brockmole. I can't show you a cover, unfortunately, but it looks like a really cool cover. I wish I could show it to you, but I got it on interlibrary loan, and I picked up this book from the library because somebody I think described it, had something to say about it on RaraAvis, the list for hardboiled fans, I guess I should call it. Hardboiled crime fans and old books, too. People who like old pulp fiction and stuff like that. Anyway, that's what the list is. RareAvis. Anyway, I've always enjoyed kind of hanging out there, even if I have nothing to say. But, in any case, yeah, I picked up this book at the library and really enjoyed it. It's about two different sets of journeys, actually. I was going to say two different sets of people.
It is really about two different sets of people. There's a woman whose husband was injured during the Korean War, and it affects, of course, his life, his outlook in a negative way, and he's also a war veteran and it's the Fifties and she's an actress and trying to do something. She's trying to do a Dick Powell, basically. She's trying to go from light song and dance stuff, fluffy stuff, to dark stuff with real meat. So anyway, she's on a journey. Literally,. She's going home to New Jersey or something like that, but she ends up kind of hanging around in the southwest for a while. Anyhow, I don't want to go into the whole story, but there's a parallel kind of, not parallel really. I mean, it's different. There are two women in this story that the narrative jumps back and forth between. There are two women back in the Twenties who are crossing the country from where, was it somewhere in New York? I'm trying to remember. Or was it New England? No, I think it was New York. Or maybe it was Pennsylvania. No, it wasn't Pennsylvania. I can say that for sure because they talked about how big Pennsylvania was, but I remember feeling shocked at how slowly the journey was going at first, and what they do is they keep journals, so you get to know the story through the journals, and the different journals reflect their personalities so perfectly that it's just a joy to read. Two cents for stamps every time. [You’ll understand that if you read the book.]
One of them is just like budget-wise. She is obviously the homemaker, and then the one with her is single. I will allow you to get to know these characters on your own, but in any event, it is just fun to read and at the same time very touching and has heartbreaking moments and so on top of which there's this screenplay interspersed throughout the book. No comment. I love that though. I will just say, that's my only comment. I loved it. Hey, Jessica Brockmole, you want somebody to produce that screenplay of yours or maybe finish it or whatever. I really liked it. It was just such a nice touch and yeah, yeah, I've thought of my life as a movie and maybe this is the end of the Second Act. I would love to think so, really.
Okay. Enough of that. I really enjoyed the book. That's all I can say. The only other thing I can say, I'm almost finished with it. I know I'm going to enjoy the book. It's due back at the library. So, anyhow, talk to you later. See you.
You can buy the ebook from any of these retailers.
You can also buy it in print from my online bookstore and support indie bookstores.
PS: There is SO much I did not mention in this review. It has various themes and layers of backstory. Plus the writing is exquisite.
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