Pamela Satran Suburbanistas

Suburbanistas

Pamela Satran

Downtown, Mar 2006, $13.00

ISBN: 1416505598

Recently married to rock star Eddie Skinner, movie superstar Stella Powers returns home to Homewood, New Jersey, with her six year old daughter Idaho to spend time with her mom before starting her next film. Eddie failed to accompany her as he was too busy with a gig. However, Stella is stunned when her mom suddenly dies. The funeral is a farce with reporters and fans trampling on everything, and her husband stays in Hollywood grooving with Idaho's nanny while Stella grieves. Her best friend in high school Mary Jean Wright helps her escape the mob, whose despicable actions at the funeral were a disgrace.

As Stella feels guilt and loneliness, she begins seeing developer Henry Sladowski who wants to convert the small sleepy town into an expensive suburb for the rich and famous. This will price Mary Jean, her spouse a cop, and their four children out of the town. However, as Stella begins to understand local politics she becomes involved as any place in which her beloved mom could not call home is not for her.

Stella will learn that you can go home, though it takes the death of her beloved mom and a lesson in civics to do so. She is a fine protagonist who nicely keeps the storyline in focus. The cast makes for a fine tale as the war between "progress" and "heritage", though perhaps too simplified, is nicely fought in New Jersey.