"Nineteen-year-old Virginia is married to a man who seems to have forgotten she exists. Although she has a daughter she adores, Virginia's life is not turning out the way she thought it would. When her husband, Buddy isn't at work, he's usually hanging out with his high school sweetheart, Irene.
Virginia is very superstitious; this, combined with the funny and endearing way she sees the world, makes her an immensely likable (if a bit ridiculous) protagonist. She's funny in the way your mother or grandmother is funny--she has no idea what you think is so funny.
This is a fun little book, and one that will stay with you."
Lisa West, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of An Actual Life
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- upbeat
Time/era of story
- 1960's-1970's
Kids growing up/acting up?
Yes
Family, struggle with
Yes
Struggle with:
- Husband
Family, loving relations
Yes
Special relationship with
- daughter
Internal struggle/realization?
Yes
Struggle over
- vague finding self/purpose in life (i.e. no plot to book)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Woman's story?
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- slaver
Eccentric/Mental
Yes
Eccentric:
- eccentric
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- student
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 3 (some)
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Ice Caps/Sea?
Yes
Where?
- Ocean
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
Amount of dialog
- little dialog
