Offical Review: Not Just Another Wrinkled Face

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any fiction books or series that do not fit into one of the other categories. If the fiction book fits into one the other categories, please use that category instead.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
Dphaber
Posts: 71
Joined: 27 Jul 2013, 20:42
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dphaber.html
Latest Review: "The Icarus Prediction" by RD Gupta

Offical Review: Not Just Another Wrinkled Face

Post by Dphaber »

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Not Just Another Wrinkled Face" by Barb McIntyre.]
Book Cover for 9781623096076
Share This Review

Have you ever wanted to get inside the heads of seniors in a retirement community? No? Well, perhaps you should. Barb McIntyre, retiree and daydreamer, reminds us that until we’re out of the game we can still play in her novel Not Just Another Wrinkled Face. Largely consisting of lengthy dialogue, the book is regardless extremely enjoyable.

Set in a housing complex where the elderly residents actively work to keep out the under-50s, Not Just Another Wrinkled Face lives up to its name. It sets up a dynamic and varied cast of characters, all with their own personalities and baggage from a lifetime of successes and failures. The dialogue between McIntyre’s characters stood out in particular – they were animated, organic and absolutely hilarious. Mary in particular, who intentionally misuses common figures of speech, has plenty of memorable lines (and fun) as she simultaneously terrorizes her daughter and entertains her granddaughter.

Much of the book’s true comedic relief, however, comes in a former resident of Quebec tasked with maintenance of the condo complex’s grounds. A woman who takes her job very seriously, Lise is at war with the area’s inconsiderate dog owners who carelessly wreck the lawn with their pets’ leavings. Brief interludes from the more central plot lines take the form of her increasingly aggressive efforts to drive off the dog walkers. However insignificant the task may seem, her actions managed to make me laugh every time.

McIntyre’s writing is clear, well thought-out, and very pleasant to read. Her descriptions throughout the book are consistently very detailed, and her rhythm and word choice is never awkward. The characters talk, think, and act in realistic and believable ways that (even when they’re being fairly ridiculous) endear them to the reader.

The ever-raging battle of the sexes is well-covered in Not Just Another Wrinkled Face. Characters, both men and women alike, discuss generalization and classic gender roles in society – as well as how these standards have changed in the past few generations. Largely, problems in the book involving these topics tend to stem more from individuals and assumptions more than true differences in the sexes – which tends to also be the case in real life.

Barb McIntyre’s novel is entertaining, thought-provoking, and skillfully written. Full of characters who fill the book with rich dialogue, Not Just Another Wrinkled Face is an excellent read. I give it 4 out of 4 stars.

***
Buy "Not Just Another Wrinkled Face" on Amazon
Buy "Not Just Another Wrinkled Face" on Barnes and Noble
Latest Review: "The Icarus Prediction" by RD Gupta
Post Reply

Return to “Other Fiction Forum”