A Novella
When I was in college a sweet friend of mine sold Tupperware. I was engaged to be married, eager to finish school and happily dreaming of starting life as Mrs E. So, of course I HAD to fill my (future) kitchen cabinets with the latest fun containers and gadgets. Even then, a poor college student though he was, Tim spoiled me. He would encourage me to visit my friend and see the newest pieces in her collection. And he always told me to buy a little something.
Now, to be fair, some of those Tupperware containers have lasted since my college days (no need to mention how long that has been). And I STILL love the little orange peeler that came as a giveaway. Thankfully my friend never pressured me to join the Tupperware team. I had all the fun of going to the occasional party, buying a few things, and spending time with friends without any of the negatives that can often plague multi-level marketing opportunities.
In Grace Space, on the other hand, 24 year old Darcy has a slightly different experience. Author Robin Merrill takes Darcy on a crazy journey of direct sales marketing “family” meetings, high pressure selling parties coined as “celebrations,” and a whole sea of purple clad women out to bring in new recruits.
Poor Darcy – 24 years old and living back at home with her parents. She doesn’t quite understand how she’s arrived at this place – student loans, a waitress job, and no potential relationships in sight. It isn’t surprising that she is enticed by the promise of financial success by selling just a little bit of make-up and jewelry. The next thing she knows, Darcy has signed on the dotted line and finds herself launched on an adventure full of embarrassing blunders, kooky characters, and self-discovery. It isn’t long before she begins to wonder if the purple dream is too good to be true.
Grace Space is an amusing novella that left me smiling as I finished the last chapter. The author captures the casual, breezy voice of the twenty-something main character. There were some poignant moments of faith, but mostly the story was light and fun, with an over-the-top caricature of multi-level marketing saleswomen. I would have enjoyed the novella even more had the author drawn the tale out a little more.
A friend invited me to read Grace Space, and it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon as our family drove through the mountains of Washington.
Author Robin Merill
About the author:
Robin Merrill is the author of several books, including two collections of poetry from Moon Pie Press and five Scholastic Book Fair books. Her poems, short stories, articles, and essays have appeared in hundreds of publications, including The Cafe Review, Ledge Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Spoon River Poetry Review, and Stolen Island Review. Three of her poems have been featured on The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor. She is a 2013 recipient of an Emerging Artist Award from St. Botolph Club Foundation of Boston. Visit her at robinmerrill.com
Kathy
[Disclosure - I did receive a sample of this product in exchange for this review and post.]
