"YOU COULD BE HOME BY NOW," by Tracy Manaster, Tyrus Books, $24.99, 287 pages (f)
Seth and Allison Collier are young teachers in Vermont looking for a new life after the tragic death of their newborn son, Timothy. With a slumping economy, the best option they can find is a gig with The Commons, a luxury retirement community just outside of Tucson, Arizona.
The residents are all more than 55 years of age, and the Colliers are hired to take care of public relations and the community newspaper. It’s a step down from what they love, but both need a chance to deal with the sorrow that is consuming their lives.
Tracy Manaster’s first novel, “You Could Be Home by Now," displays the lives and struggles of residents and visitors to The Commons and is laced with humor, pain and regrets. Each character has quirks that can be entertaining, saddening and harrowing but may also give rise to other feelings in individual readers.
Lily is 15 going on 25 and has determined she is a lesbian. After an incident related to her high school glamour blog, her parents ship her off to live with her grandmother in The Commons. Gran’s choice of boyfriends is definitely not up to Lily’s standards, but that is the least of her problems.
Since Lily is only visiting for a short time, the community age limit doesn’t apply to her — but the little boy next door appears to be a permanent fixture and one that Lily can’t ignore. Unfortunately, her curiosity becomes a major source of disruption for everyone in The Commons and forces her to examine who and what she really wants from life.
Manaster, a graduate of Wesleyan University and an Oregon resident, weaves an entertaining tale of retirees and youthful souls who are living with circumstances that challenge their personal expectations of life. Some choose well and find happiness where there was once sorrow. Others become caught up in things that don’t end well and are forced to reconsider their options.
While the experiences of the characters in the story are generally delightful, the author is not shy when it comes to swearing and other language as much of the dialogue includes it. There is also sexual innuendo in the dialogue of several characters.
If you go ...
What: Tracy Manaster book signing
When: Thursday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Mike Whitmer lives in West Valley City, and his email is grundelwalken@gmail.com. He blogs at mtwhitmer.blogspot.com.