Title: The
Perfect Elizabeth : A Tale of Two Sisters
Author: Libby Schmais
Publisher: St.
Martin's Griffi
ISBN: 978-0312270803
Pages: 228
Liza and Bette are two sisters who seem to be opposites, but
together they seem to be a Perfect Elizabeth. Bette is scholarly and driven to
complete her PhD on food in the English Novel and Liza is unfocused and has a
job she dislikes. Liza wants to write a book, but doesn’t have the confidence
to move forward – which is true for her lack-luster love life with Gregor. Bette, on the other hand, continues to be
heartbroken over her divorce. But, Liz eventually becomes feed up with her job
and quits without a plan, moving in with Gregor to save money. Bette meets a man who sweeps her off to
California and both sisters need to learn to live apart and build their own
identities – though both struggle with this.
Without many prospects, Liz visits Bette in California and pitches her
children’s book, which gets picked up as a cartoon. Things quickly change for
both women and with more confidence, they embrace their new lives.
This was definitely a beach read – fairly easy to read and
not taxing. At first I was a little
annoyed with both characters as they seemed quite whiny – a bit like Bridget Jones’ Diary (which I did not
like). But, eventually, both woman
recognizing their own agency and made some choices that helped them discover
themselves.
There is a short reading group guide at the end.
