Book Review: What to do About Annie

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

What to do About Annie     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Millie Criswell
Class/Genre:   Romance
Ivy, Aug 2001, $6.99, 320 pp.

Father Joe Russo has been a priest for fifteen years, but plans to leave in order to sort out his feelings, especially the one involving WHAT TO DO ABOUT ANNIE? His last act as a Father is to sanctify his sister’s marriage. At the reception afterward, Joe makes a spectacle of himself by singing Annie’s Song.

Joe thinks back to when he and Annie were in love and made love. She became pregnant, but lost the child. Being deeply religious, he felt God punished him for sinning. Thus, he joined the church. Now that he has left, Joe has his work cut out to attone for his real transgression, deserting his beloved Annie at her hour of need. He prays that he has a lifetime with her to do so.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT ANNIE is an amusing tale with serious overtones that Millie Criswell deftly intertwines into the plot but might alienate some readers for its irreverence. Annie’s mixed heritage amusingly comes alive through her Hebonic-speaking father and her deeply pious Catholic mother. However, on the serious side is Joe’s leaving the priesthood to pursue a more worldly relationship and the impact of a miscarriage on two too young adults. Ms. Criswell has crafted a fine tale that sub-genre fans will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner