Sunshine O'Donnell

Book Club 2008 read - Interesting story about the occupation of paid wailer's - Although the author told us she made the whole story up - its odd because coming from an old italian background - I distinctly remember going to a great uncle's funeral in Philadelphia years ago and hearing a wailing woman - gut wrenching wailing - she was robed in all black even with a veil - I was astounded that this older woman was causing a profound sense of grief within myself and as she wailed my heart ached and the tears flowed - After the service she was gone - I asked my older cousin of my father's who she was and he told me she was a Paid Wailer - I had NEVER heard of such a thing - I didn't really believe him at the moment - but no one else knew who she was and we all knew the last remaining relatives of that older generation. It stuck with me forever and when this book was given as a choice to read for Book Club I was all for it... I was disappointed when we met the author (via phone) and she said she made it all up - even the concept of wailer's, and all of the documents that she put in are made up too.... I half believe her and half believe my cousin and what I witnessed at an old italian's funeral many years ago. The Book gets a 3 star - unique and interesting. Though I do not believe it was a figment of her imagination. (not saying the story as told is true - I believe that if not now, there were wailer's who help set the mood to a funeral!)… (meer)

This book is desparately hard to read. Not because of the author's style, rather it's like appraoching a horrific car accident, you don't want to see it but you just can't stop looking. Much of the book is this way. It's such a fascinating glimpse into a world we don't know that you become incapable of putting it down. At the same time much of the story will make you feel physically ill and you just want it to be over. THankfully it's a short book. It's also one that will provoke lots of interesting discussion so would make a great group read.

I wish the line between fact and fiction wasn't so thoroughly blurred though...that distrubed me.… (meer)