Which End Is Up?

By Patricia Kay

Grace Campisi had lived her whole life according to plan, but her sister Perry--aka "The Screwup"--was more of a live-for-the-moment kind of girl. Which could explain how she showed up nine months pregnant, sans husband, boyfriend or money. The question was, what was Grace, her type A attorney sister (on the partner track), going to do about it? What, indeed, as it fast became clear to Grace that Perry was not cut out for motherhood--especially when she ran off, leaving a six-week-old baby girl behind. So in order to stick to her plan, Grace could either A) track down her wayward sister, or B) put her niece up for adoption. Or C)...formulate a new plan?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373881118
• ISBN13: 9780373881116
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Harlequin Next
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

I want Grace for a sister

I wouldn't trade the two sisters I have, but if I could pick a third, I'd choose Grace Campisi, the heroine of WHICH END IS UP? Pat Kay's October NEXT. Family is important in all of Kay's books, but this one tests the bond of sisterhood with mighty yanks. Readers will keep turning the pages to find out if the bond between the Campsisi sisters, Grace and Perry, stretches and holds or snaps back to hurt someone. Grace is the play-by-the-rules sister, and she's about to reap the reward: a law partnership. Perry has trouble holding a job waiting tables or tending bar, and she has the proof: lousy credit and little more than the clothes on her back. When Perry shows up on Grace's doorstep hugely pregnant, both women's lives will change. Change utterly. Readers have to experience the Campisi sisters' transmogrification as it happens, so I won't tip Kay's hand. I do, however, have a hint for writers struggling to master character arc. Read this book. Grace doesn't just arc, she does an aerial loop.

superb tale of two sisters

Cleary her father's daughter, attorney Grace Campisi has always been a responsible person while setting goals for herself including earning money by doing hard work, dedication, and success at getting a partnership at her law form. Her sister Perry is more of a live life for today as she is more like their mother with no cares in the world as they let others deal with problems. Now Perry arrives at Grace's apartment nine months pregnant, pleading poverty and no father, her reluctant sister takes her in. Perry gives birth, but six weeks later she is acting as always: selfishly without a look back; Perry deserts her child leaving Grace to clean up more than just excrement. Grace must decide between her plan for success which means giving up her niece for adoption as her sister cannot be trusted to take care of anyone but herself or raising the baby. The comparison between the sisters make for an interesting tale as the audience wonders how the Campisi siblings came from the same house. The story line is filled with angst as Grace must decide what to do when Perry decamps. Though the ending is to ribbon tied happily ever after, readers will appreciate this superb tale of two sisters. Harriet Klausner

Buy one for your sister, buy one for yourself...

I absolutely devoured Patricia Kay's tale of two sisters, the partner-track attorney, Grace Campisi, and the prodigal Perry, who suddenly shows up at Grace's tiny Manhattan apartment nine months pregnant. When no other family member will bail Perry out of yet another terrible decision, Grace agrees to let her sister stay until the baby's born and she can get back on her feet. But Perry, being Perry, isn't any better at motherhood than you'd expect, which leaves Grace with one angry boyfriend, one lifetime career goal in jeopardy, one six-week-old infant, and no good choices. Grace's reactions ring true, as do those of friends and family members, and even Perry is portrayed with compassion. WHICH WAY IS UP is family drama at its best, and I especially enjoyed the quotes about sisters that head each chapter. Very highly recommended.