A Complicated Life in a Small Town

By: Tammy Maas

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin

The road to hell really is paved with good intentions. Bitter that she was robbed of her childhood, at age 18, Lydia Lawson severed all communication ties with her alcoholic parents - her father commits suicide one year after she leaves home. 23 years later, she receives word that her mother is dead and that she has inherited more than just the family home.

Lily, a 21-year-old morbidly obese half-sister with Prader-Willi Syndrome, is found in the basement, too big to move out of the home. Lydia sets out on a life-changing journey trying to help Lily, trying to find Lily s father, and trying to find herself. In the interim, she falls in love with Tommy Porter who remains with her right up to the climatic, mind-blowing reveal at the end.

©2011 Rainstorm Press (P)2015 Rainstorm Press

What a tangled web we weave.

Would you listen to A Complicated Life in a Small Town again? Why?

Yes, I would go back and listen again to the foreshadowing and enjoy the way the details fit together now that I know the ending.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Complicated Life in a Small Town?

Either the scene where Lilly pulls Lydia's hair or the scene where Lydia is discussing her baby's diagnosis with the doctor.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really liked the ending. I thought it was a perfect way to end the book. To me it was the strength of this book, and it was memorably and subtly written.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it is perfect for a day of cleaning out closets or a longer commute.

Any additional comments?

This book reminds me of a cross between an Oprah book of the month and the David Lynch film, "Blue Velvet." It has the unrelenting suffering of the heroine found in Oprah novels, but it also has the gritty and unexpected revelation of small town underbelly. Solid story and good performance. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Educational surprise

What did you love best about A Complicated Life in a Small Town?

Lydia's compassion and love for her new found sister

What other book might you compare A Complicated Life in a Small Town to and why?

Mornings with Morrie because it shows how another human being can touch and change your life and perspective.

What does Caroline McLaughlin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love her inflection to bring about different emotions.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, the twist of Lilly found in the basement tweaked my curiosity to want to learn more.
I went online to learn more about Prader-Willi Syndrome. I have more compassion for obese people. Thank you.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

Fantastic!

The story sucks you in and really does a great job of making you develop feelings for the characters. I felt the narrator was a little flat and compared to other books I've listened to she made it a little difficult to distinguish between a few of characters, though this is the only book read by her I have ever listened to, perhaps she felt it would be better read the way she did. That's didn't take away from the story, which shines light on a little known, yet fascinating disease.

A complicated Life

This book was just not my cup of tea.Caroline McLaughlin is an ok narrator.The story itself is a lot of nasty stuff that happens to one family in a small town. A woman must return home when her mother dies.She was estranged from her family.She discovers that living in the basement of the house is a huge woman that has never been outside.She is a sister she never knew about.No one did.Mama took care of her,saying she was the sister of Jesus.
Gross stuff follows and when all seems well another bombshell hits.
I was given this book for an honest review.

Ok

Any additional comments?

Narrated brilliantly that was only thing kept me going.This audiobook was provided by the narrator-Caroline McLaughlin at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."
KP