Book Review: It’s A Thin Line

Book Cover Images image of It’s A Thin Line

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Publication Date: Oct 01, 2003
List Price: $6.99
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Classification: Fiction
ISBN13: 9780758203540
Imprint: Kensington
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Parent Company: Kensington Publishing Corp.

Book Reviewed by Thumper


It’s A Thin Line may be the title to Kimberla Lawson Roby’s latest novel, but it also describes the condition of my last nerve that this book jumped on wearing a pair of high-heeled pumps. Look before those of you that simply loved this book start jumping on me, I will readily admit that the problem could be me. I said could be, but I doubt it. I felt suffocated while reading this book. All I know is that when I finished reading it, I rushed outside and took in two lungful of fresh night air.

"I will give Roby her due; she can pack a wallop in a storyline. I can always depend on her to give me an ending where I’m glued to it. The problem is that I was ready to throw in the towel before I got to the ending."

Roby’s latest novel deals with three siblings and how they each react to their mother’s bout with cancer. There’s Sydney, the oldest child whose marriage is going through some serious changes as Sydney deals with her husband’s libido, raising a pre-teen daughter, and sustains a writing career. Gina is the middle child, the mother of twins, who can't seem to break free of an abusive marriage. Finally, there’s Rick, the youngest and only son, who has some serious issues with commitment and a bit of sibling rivalry with Sydney. There’s no drama like family drama.

Let’s start with the good points, or point. I will give Roby her due; she can pack a wallop in a storyline. I can always depend on her to give me an ending where I’m glued to it. The problem is that I was ready to throw in the towel before I got to the ending.

Believe it or not, I don't need to be hammered over my head with the same information before I ’get it’. Sydney and Gina repeated their thoughts and sentiments constantly, over and over again. It got to the point that I screamed ’I GOT IT ALREADY!’

Talk about some whinny characters. I was so sick of hearing about Sydney being ’so tired’ and how she ’desired her husband, but didn't feel like making love to him’ and how she needs to make an appointment with the doctor to see what’s wrong with her. This goes on and on throughout the whole book. By page 100, I was saying aloud (yeah, I talk back to the movie screen too! *smile*), ’Well why don't you carry your insipid ass to the doctor then? Jesus be a fence!!’ Oh and don't get me started on Gina. All I’m going to do is give her the hand and skip merrily on my way, minding my very own business. If I weren’t already bald I would have been pulling my hair out. If I had a pair of tweezers, I would have reached for the peach fuzz that hangs out around the outer edge of my bald spot.

It’s A Thin Line is a book that many of Roby’s fans will no doubt cherish. Me? It’s right up there with going to the dentist, needles, and listening to Celine Dion, nerve grating. I could have done without it.


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