Women in Hats

by Judy Sheehan

In a sparkling novel that calls to mind Carrie Fisher's Postcards from the Edge, Judy Sheehan has written a story full of humor and heart, wisdom and hope, about the rich, often fraught relationship... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345480082
• ISBN13: 9780345480088
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Family drama, front and center

If you are a fan of the theater and love the drama that propels the characters, the director, stage manager, the high profile and the not-so-high profile actors, then this book is for you. Not only will you live their production drama, you'll be catapulted into their real-life dramas, struggles, and emotions. You know right from the beginning, the story is shrouded by the histrionics of a famous star, Bridie. Her life on and off the stage, or in front of or away from the camera, is self- absorbed, sharp-tongued, blunt and totally charming. Bridie's life style and super-star status does not lend itself to motherhood, yet she and Frank Majors bring two adorable girls into the world. She has little or no maternal time for her daughters, Lilly and Leigh, or for sustaining her marriage with the girls' father. As a result, the girls fend for themselves- their fate, fame or fortune rest solely in following their heart, or in the case of Leigh, following her stage director father's footsteps. Bridie and Leigh's relationship is tumultuous on a good day. So, you can just imagine what takes place as their paths cross in New York when circumstances bring them together as director and star in the play "Women in Hats." To make this scenario even more interesting, the play is written by Leigh's dentist husband, Michael. "Woman in Hats" is filled with high-strung, genuine raw emotions between an often-estranged mother and daughter, wife and husband, a reluctant-then-willing lover, and surrogate family members Kendall and Maddie. Is there a happy ending? Does the play "Women in Hats" find success on Broadway? Do mother and daughter reconcile? Does Bridie redeem herself as a loving mother in the end? Does Leigh find happiness in her personal life with Michael, and a fulfilling career as stage director? Take this book with you on vacation and happily discover the answers to these questions and more. Armchair Interviews says: Another winner from Judy Sheehan.

warm family drama

Bridie Hart is a show business legend as America's most beloved TV mom even if her show has been off the air for fifteen years. Everyone adores except her adult daughter Leigh Majors, theatre director, who wants as little to do with her famous mom as possible. She hides her connection to her late famous father and older sister. Leigh is irate with her spouse playwright Michael, who agrees that his mother-in-law would be perfect for a role in a play he wrote. Bridie being Bridie tries to take over the production because she fears her offspring is incapable of performing the production and so does not want her to fail. Leigh is attracted to the stage manager, James and considers acting on her desire. Instead she confesses to Michael why he hurt her when he accepted Bridie for a part and her thoughts towards a fling, but she agrees that her mom deserves one more time in the spotlight. This warm family drama focuses on the dysfunctional relationship between mother and daughter. The story line is filled with poignancy as Bridie tries to take over out of fear for her offspring while Leigh needs to succeed or fail on her own. Mindful of the song "Teach Your Children" by Sills, Crosby, Nash and Young, WOMEN IN HATS is an enjoyable contemporary tale. Harriet Klausner