“The Cure for Modern Life” by Lisa Tucker
April 7–11
The Cure for Modern Life is about “the choices we make and the decisions we let life make for us.” Lisa Tucker’s latest novel has a revolving list of characters whose lives become interconnected by chance or choice and by the end of the book, each one has been forced to closely examine what they thought had been their ultimate desire.
Publisher’s Weekly calls The Cure for Modern Life, “An enjoyable literary page-turner that also explores serious social issues. In crisp, lively prose, Tucker cleverly executes a series of surprising twists that, coupled with the Big Pharma backdrop and cinematic feel, make the novel as fast-paced as a thriller, but with astute and often humorous observations about the shifting morality of 21st-century America. An excellent choice for book clubs…solidifies her position as a gifted writer with a wide range and a profound sense of compassion for the mysteries of the human heart.”
Booklist calls it, “A touching and very modern relationship story with some compelling social issues…This fast-paced, funny, and smart novel is a sure bet for book clubs.”
Where to find more about The Cure for Modern Life and author, Lisa Tucker:
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Lisa Tucker’s website | |
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Look for reviews of The Cure for Modern Life in Bookreporter.com and Publishers Weekly. | |
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Lisa Tucker’s book tour information Other books: Once Upon a Day The Song Reader Shout Down the Moon |
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Here’s what MotherTalk reviewers are saying about The Cure for Modern Life:
The Hidden Side of a Leaf says, “What I like second best, after the chapters about the kids’ lives, is the subtle approach to ethics. The way that Amelia sees things at the beginning of the book is gradually flip-flopped, so that the reader begins to see them differently a bit at a time, as Amelia does. I liked the way the reader and Amelia both come to realize that ethics can often be relative, and that what makes a decision right or wrong are the details behind it.”
Uncommon Misconception says, “The plot line is interesting, though not filled with mind-blowing twists, and I became attached enough to the characters to sneak reading in throughout the day to see what would happen to them. That’s no small compliment given the business of my average day.”
So a Blonde Walks Into a Review says, “This is going on my ‘books I couldn’t put down’ list. I was captivated by each of the characters and looked forward to finding out where each of them would end up.”
Mommy Writer Blog says, “All of these characters that I love so much entwine, twist, turn, and then question every decision they’ve made (and might make) into this wonderful story. Another that I will be keeping up on my shelf. I just couldn’t put the book down for a WHOLE NIGHT. I kept putting myself in the shoes of the characters… what would I do? How would I react? Would I challenge Matthew? or Ben? Or Amelia? Would I kick out Danny and Isabelle? The book was addicting. As were the characters.”
The Bean Blog says, “Ms. Tucker does a great job of showing how and why Amelia and Matthew change with each new adventure in their lives. And the novel really makes you think about what it means to be ethical and to do the right thing. Sometimes what we think is the right thing may not actually be what’s best.”
As Yet Untitled says, “The best part of the novel, for me, wasn’t even the story itself — it was all of the wonderfully tangled ethical questions raised in the text. My husband and I spent a long time working through some of these tangles as I read and afterwards, and that’s always the highest praise I can give a book: it got me thinking and talking about it, long after the final page was turned.”
All Rileyed Up says, “I love that this novel begins with such a simple sentence, and a question too. Because you will read this whole book wondering if Matthew Connelly is, in fact, a bad man.”
Actual Unretouched Photo says, “I would rather read it than sleep. I have been reading it while eating my dinner. I considered reading it while working. (But resisted that urge).”
ReadingWritingLiving says, “It’s a quick and accessible read. In many ways it’s a page turner, and the tension between the major players is palpable and effective.”
Lastly, Mom Reviews says, “What I enjoyed most about the book was the relationship that developed between Matthew, Danny and Isabelle. It was like watching a large slab of ice slowly melting, as Matthew found himself charmed by Isabelle’s sweetness and touched by Danny’s tender care of his sister.”
