It was really Katherine's fantasy cruise and big sister Annie was going along for the ride. Of course they both liked BoyTalk, the famous 90's boy band, but Katherine was a true-blue fan, especially for Keith, Annie liked his brother Shawn. They were the only two that were related, with the other three guys rounding out the group. The band dynamics were set when they were teens-Shawn was the party guy and eldest, Keith and Corey could actually sing, Scotty was the snappy dresser, and Terrance was, well, Terrance. But it was now thirty years later, and Keith wanted to stop pretending that he hadn't grown up, though breaking up the band would lose them their livelihood.
Unfortunately, Katherine broke her leg and couldn't make the trip. Annie wanted to bow out, but her sister pleaded with her to go and report back on the fun, with lots of pictures. Annie’s life certainly wasn't any fun-her husband divorced her, her magazine job promoted her young intern over her, and she just turned fifty. Things couldn't possibly be worse. But when she boarded the ship in Miami, she found that they could. Every other passenger on the cruise was a female "Talker,” and their mission was to recreate their girlhood around the guys in the band. Thank goodness her roommate knew the ropes and included Annie in the best seating and the most drinking. If Annie could stay plastered for the four-day cruise, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Keith is not ok. Everything about this cruise is wrong-from Shawn's manic behavior and his favoring Corey to score points, to his wife's indifference, and to his general feeling of depression. He and the others have a job to do, they must reach back to their celebrity days and give their fans their money's worth. At one of the many meet and greets, Keith and Annie actually "see" each other and share a moment of reality.... will this lead to anything more?
As anyone who has taken a cruise knows, one steps on the ship all primed to have the best time of one’s life. Usually there is a moment of disillusionment. Too many people, corny entertainment, and bad behavior can unmask the fantasy of a perfect vacation. Straub’s characters have much to deal with, but while Keith hovers on the brink of despair, Annie is starting to realize that her life, up until now, has been lacking in pure unadulterated fun, and she begins to find a path to bringing herself back. The novel is hopeful and uplifting and it hints at a way forward for both of them.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
April 7, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment