Mullane Literary Associates
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough by Ruth Pennebaker
Praise for Ruth Pennebaker's
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough
“A laugh-out-loud romp through a household populated by three generations of women....an irresistible comic novel that is breezily hilarious, thought-provoking, and, ultimately, tender and heart-tugging.... vibrant with life, conflict and high spirits.”
Sarah Bird, author of How Perfect Is That
“There’s a rare honesty in Pennebaker’s work that allows for both empathy and ample schadenfreude as the women examine themselves and each other.... a winning warts-and-all air of authenticity. Pennebaker’s effort delivers right through to its hopeful yet realistic conclusion.”
Publishers Weekly starred review
”Bold, funny, and irreverent....Pennebaker’s wit and themes of sisterly solidarity and growth are likely to resonate with fans of humorous women’s authors like Rebecca Wells, Nancy Thayer, and Jennifer Weiner.”
Library Journal
“Writing with her usual light touch, Pennebaker turns [a] worst-case scenario into a continuous source of comedy by making the characters as blind to their own faults as they are aware of one another’s.... We care about them and, in the end, they clearly care about one another. It’s a book with a little bit of a message, though not so much as to get in the way of idle enjoyment.”
Dallas Morning News
“A standout novel... the story of the most complicated relationship on earth—mothers and daughters.... offering comedy, life, great longing, and connections that are often missed....Thanks to Ruth Pennebaker’s wit and wisdom....it all works out—if not wonderfully, then certainly well enough.”
“What to Read” wowowow.com
“Everyone who’s ever had a mother or a daughter—or been a mother or a daughter—will be saying ‘Yes!’ all the way through Ruth Pennebaker’s marvelous first novel....I really cared about these people, and you will, too.”
Margo Howard, author of Ann Landers In Her Own Words
“Wry, sassy writing... seamlessly woven into a story that entertains first and educates second, with nary a bit of preaching that could weigh down Pennebaker's whip-smart prose.... The three generations of women that inhabit her story grow closer in small yet significant ways, ones that mirror the layered relationships Pennebaker illuminates for us, with all their messiness, challenges and, most importantly, love.”
Austin American-Statesman
“Ruth Pennebaker not only delivers her trademark wit in abundance, but she also serves up passages so inspired and unexpected, I found myself laughing and crying at the same time! Ruth Pennebaker’s prose is sharp enough to do Dorothy Parker proud. ”
Robert Leleux, author of The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy
About the Author
Ruth Pennebaker is a contributing writer at the Texas Observer. Her blog geezersisters.com won a Bloggies ‘11 Best Writing Award and was selected as a BlogHer 2011 Voice of the Year. Visit her website at ruthpennebaker.com
- Audio rights sold
- US, German, and Norwegian rights sold