Every Woman Has a Story

March 29, 1999
The subject matter of this originally self-published collection of unvarnished short personal stories and poems will resonate with many women. Underhill, who selected these pieces from more than 500 submissions, looked for moving expressions of a woman's joys, fears and pain. The stories cover such milestones as a chance reunion with a high school classmate, marriage, pregnancy, motherhood and coming to terms with aging. Many stories have an upbeat tone, such as Linda Dietrick's description of how she finally found a good relationship in "Falling in Love--Again." Others write about overcoming adversity, as in Paula E. Buford's account of her battle against gender prejudice at an all-male conference in "Fighting Discrimination with Dignity." A few contributions also present a darker view. Lisa M. Cheater's "The Visit" provides a harrowing account of a dysfunctional family, and Kimberly Luxenberg's "Dark Side of Genius" addresses the destructive power of drugs and alcohol. Although the writing iss often mediocre, the aim of most pieces is true. Agent: Jillian Manus. Major ad/promo; first serial to Woman's Day.

May 15, 1999
Underhill's request that women send her stories they had written about their lives drew 500 responses. Gathered here are more than 70 pieces, organized by subject, on friendship, aging, men and love, motherhood, interaction between generations, life lessons, health, the "emptying nest," dreams, memories, independence, and "simple pleasures." Some stories will no doubt produce tears (e.g., a mother's story of caring for her son in the final months of AIDS); some laughter, or "You go, girl!" (for women who got out of destructive relationships or job situations). This is a feel-good book: somewhere between "At least my problems aren't as bad as hers" and "If she can do it, so can I." In the abstract, not an essential acquisition, but Warner plans major promotion and first serial rights have been sold to "Woman's Day," so interest is likely. ((Reviewed May 15, 1999))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1999, American Library Association.)