THE DIRTY GIRLS SOCIAL CLUB

Told from the alternating viewpoints of six Latinas who bonded while studying at Boston College, this engaging soap opera celebrates women's friendship while raising issues of prejudice, wife-battering, assimilation, cheating boyfriends, and lesbian identity. Having pursued different life paths--journalist, well-to-do wife, TV anchor, and struggling rock singer--each woman has reached a crisis. Hard truths must be faced, decisions made. The author reads well, but unevenly, not quite carrying off a distinctive voice for each of the women. Sex, romance, humor, a refreshing perspective, appealing characters, and a happy resolution add up to escapist entertainment with a Latina heart. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]