"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
There's Viola Price lying in the hospital, felled by another asthma attack. She's weak but not at death's door. In fact, she's cranky and lonesome--her no-good husband has moved out to shack up with a young hussy, while her four grown children have scattered, struggled, married and divorced, succumbing mostly to their own worst selves. Viola's worried about them, but she can't worry forever. Then there's Paris, the "success" of the clan, who can't glean joy from her life because she's so worried about achieving perfection; Charlotte, who can't trust her husband because of a long-ago affair, and who grapples with stress by maxing out her credit cards; Janelle and Shanice, mother and daughter, who live with a terrible stepdad's sexual abuse; and Lewis, perhaps the most moving character, who's a magnet for cops, who always seem to pull him over when he's had one beer too many. His days are masterpieces of procrastination:
"I ain't doing nothing but laying here watching In The Heat of the Night, 'cause I spent my last seven dollars on a forty, a fish fillet, a quarter pounder with fries, a quick-pix lottery ticket, and a pack of Kools".And his struggle with alcohol isn't exactly promising:
"I ain't been making much progress so, to stop all them red-hot wires from short-circuiting my whole mind, I shut it up with a drink".Viola lives in Las Vegas, and much of the family drama unfolds in Sin City. While most stories taking place in Vegas concentrate on the city's surreal quality, McMillan is interested in the people who actually live there. In chatty, accessible prose and carefully choreographed scenes, the author fleshes out the lives of the Price clan. A Day Late and a Dollar Short is a story of real people in real struggles: addiction, scary IRS letters, late-night loneliness. Characters emerge from the page walking and talking and going through their dysfunctional paces. And while the Prices remain isolated from each other in many ways, they are nonetheless attached through kinship, memory and grudging love. --Ellen Williams, Amazon.com
"McMillan has the uncanny ability to render family conflict with both humor and compassion...a life-affirming read...a triumph." --The Los Angeles Times
"Touching and funny." --People
"[McMillan] in top form." --The New York Times Book Review
-McMillan has the uncanny ability to render family conflict with both humor and compassion...a life-affirming read...a triumph.- --The Los Angeles Times
-Touching and funny.- --People
-[McMillan] in top form.- --The New York Times Book Review
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001435125
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First UK edition of a novel from the major African American writer. Very good indeed in similar dustwrapper. Seller Inventory # 2070138
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Viking Penguin, London, 2001. Hardcover. The sixth book from the author of "Waiting To Exhale." A near fine copy with no inscriptions in a near fine dust jacket which is not price clipped. Just a little general age toning to paper. Plain signed by McMillan on the title page. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 002447
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. 2001 Viking first edition hardback; VG+; fine book in fine unclipped dj; light shelf wear else as new; UK dealer, immediate dispatch. Seller Inventory # 94at2257
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 1285902