Mama / Missing Mom (Spanish Edition)

Nicole, 31, is living an extended adolescence, still in rebellion against her parents' suburban middle-class, do-the-right-thing lifestyle. Her father has recently died; her older, domestic diva sister is prone to histrionics. Nicole herself is involved with a married man and does not have a clue how her actions may impact other people. Everything changes in an instant when Nicole's mother, Gwen, dies in a violent assault. After the ensuing investigations and memorials, everyone is surprised when Nicole steps into her mother's shoes and gradually begins to adopt aspects of Gwen's personality. Oates, one of America's greatest writers, has not written one of her "broad views" into American society, but rather one of her intimate portraits of family relationships. Recommended for larger popular fiction collections. [LJ 9/1/05]