Claire LaZebnik Knitting Under the Influence

Knitting Under the Influence

Claire LaZebnik

Warner 5 Spot, Oct 2006, $12.99

ISBN 0446697958

Her fairly successful actress twin sisters allow Kathleen Winters to live off of them until she opened her mouth to a reporter while drinking. Angry at her, they toss her out for revealing family secrets that hurt their careers.

Animal rights activists assault research scientist Lucy Cameron for her lab's practices. The protests lead to Lucy pondering whether she is doing the right thing at work and with her sanctimonious boyfriend.

Sari Hill works at an autism clinic. She has doubts about helping a particular patient when the man who bullied her brother in high school arrives with autistic son.

These three friends discuss right from wrong as each knits a special item of clothing knowing deep in their respective souls that life is the SAME AS IT NEVER WAS.

This deep character study uses knitting as a powerful metaphor on life with the end products representing the personalities of the trio as well as the path one step (stitch) at a time to get there. The key to this strong tale is that the threesome seems genuine whether they knit, indulge in sex or cuddle a kitten as they discuss their relationships, their troubles, and their aspirations. KUI is the complete package thanks to the complex female membership and a story line that enables readers to hear the clicking of the needles.

Harriet Klausner