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Sandwich
by Catherine Newman · 2024
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For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too. This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers. It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux.…
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"Explored the middle years with aging parents and adult children."
"This slim volume depicts delicate balances and shifting dynamics between “Rocky” (Rachel) and her husband, Nick; their young-adult children; and her aging parents during their annual vacation to Cape Cod. Rocky’s week gives her time to reflect on marriage, parenting and a range of reproductive issues amid past secrets and anxiety about change. Throw in some septic issues and a cat named “Chicken,” and author Catherine Newman unfurls roiling emotions propelling readers from joyful and tender scenes to teary heartaches and laugh-out-loud moments. While some will find the situations realistic and others may strongly reject choices made, readers and book clubbers will find ample opportunities to dissect the characters and events."