{"product_id":"cakewalk-9780553392678","title":"Cakewalk","description":"\u003cb\u003eContinuing in the exuberant tradition of \u003ci\u003eSix of One, Bingo\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eLoose Lips\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Rita Mae Brown returns to her much-loved fictional hamlet of Runnymede, whose memorable citizens are welcoming both the end of the Great War and the beginning of a new era.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The night a riot breaks out at the Capitol Theater movie house--during a Mary Pickford picture, no less--you can bet that the Hunsenmeir sisters, Louise and Julia, are nearby. Known locally as Wheezie and Juts, the inimitable, irrepressible, distinctly freethinking sisters and their delightful circle of friends are coming of age in a shifting world--and are determined to understand their place in it. Across town, the well-to-do Chalfonte siblings are preparing for the upcoming wedding of brother Curtis. But for youngest sister Celeste, the celebration brings about a change she never expected and a lesson about love she'll not soon forget. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Set against the backdrop of America emerging from World War I, \u003ci\u003eCakewalk \u003c\/i\u003eis an outrageous and affecting novel about a small town where ideas of sin and virtue, love and sex, men and women, politics and religion, can be as divided as the Mason-Dixon Line that runs right through it--and where there's no problem that can't be cured by a good yarn and an even better scotch. With her signature Southern voice, Rita Mae Brown deftly weaves generations of family stories into a spirited patchwork quilt of not-so-simple but joyously rich life. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eCakewalk\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\" \u003ci\u003eCakewalk\u003c\/i\u003e] is brimming over with  Rita Mae Brown's] distinctive Southern voice that infuses every page with merriment, which allows her vibrant characters to take over the story and touch readers' hearts. Her depictions of the inhabitants and the era are pitch-perfect as are the many subplots. Readers will feel as if they are living in Runnymede; running around with the teenagers, eavesdropping on the matrons planning the annual cakewalk and hiding in the closet of the wealthy families. An utterly delightful story.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eRT Book Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Brown has said that the Runnymede novels, starting with \u003ci\u003eSix of One, \u003c\/i\u003e are the ones she was born to write. . . . This is more loving domestic comedy of small-town life when times were simpler. Recommended for fans of Brown and beyond.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"A delightful romp through small-town America, with all of its gossips and laughs, passions and rivalries, and through it all the importance of the thread of family.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A feel-good novel told by an expert storyteller who delights in creating colorful and quirky characters.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"Two independent and free-thinking sisters, Louise and Julia Hunsenmeir (called Wheezie and Juts), push against the old-fashioned ways of drinking, dancing, and courting. . . . Characters were inspired by Brown's own mother and sister, adding realism and depth to this uplifting story. Fans of Amy Hill Heath and Mary Kay Andrews will eat up this multigenerational 'slice-of-life' novel.\"\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"There seems to be no end to  Rita Mae Brown's] imagination, inventiveness, or storytelling artistry. . . . What is  \u003ci\u003eCakewalk\u003c\/i\u003e] about? Life, love, baseball, war, peace, good whiskey, fashion, sex, religion, friendship-all in a rollicking and lively story that just keeps rolling along at a brisk pace. Ms. Brown paints such vivid scenes. . . .  \u003ci\u003eCakewalk\u003c\/i\u003e is] entertaining, outrageous, thought-provoking, nostalgic, and great fun.\"\u003cb\u003e--My Merri Way\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bantam\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/29\/2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780553392678\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 336\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.55lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.90h x 5.10w x 0.80d","brand":"Rita Mae Brown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45302220292277,"sku":"9780553392678","price":13.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_1c5032d8-8b4f-4b31-b0f7-9b56584dbfb4.jpg?v=1744724696","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/cakewalk-9780553392678","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}