Becoming Finola
by Suzanne Strempek Shea

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Book Reviews of Becoming Finola

Book Review: A "Brigadoon" for our time
Summary: 5 Stars

Finola was everyone's friend and confidant when she lived in Booley. Her influence seems to be everywhere. Her name graces the shop where Sophie finds work, where the boss was once Finola's lover. Sophie eases into Finola's shoes -- reluctantly, at first; and then with more confidence as she often ponders what an independent woman like Finola would do in any situation. As is often the case, the myth is grander than the reality. Sophie turns out to be a better Finola than Finola really is/was.

Shea's first-person characters are always observant. Sophie compares everything she sees to her personal knowledge base of brand-name products, popular music, and classic television shows. She thinks the way we Baby Boomers think, which makes for fun reading. The culture and conversational style of the Irish are also well presented here, as are the idiosyncracies of American tourists. If the stereotype fits...

"Becoming Finola" is good entertainment that may entice readers to think about international travel themselves; or at the very least, to search high and low for inspirational bead-and-charm bracelets with magic powers. Perhaps there's a Booley waiting out there for each one of us.

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