Book Review: Seeing Pink

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Seeing Pink     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Erin O'Rourke
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Mystery   Woman Main Character   FBI   Thriller
Five Star, Sep 2003, $27.95, 435 pp.

In Belle Springs, West Virginia, the five female friends are tired of the abuse from so-called loved ones. When one is physically battered again, the police and others wink in belief that she deserved it. Tamaryn Sola, Nin Ryan, Hannah Jessler, Lucy Campbell, and Jo Adams are at the end of the rope and decide it is time for a pink bathrobe rebellion.

At first the quintet of women pull minor pranks that bring publicity to their camping throughout the greater DC area though they remain hidden from view. As they become bolder with the adrenaline of success, they increase their guerrilla war against society especially males. However, they cross the line when they accidentally kill Jed Whitecross, son of a US Senator. They hide the error but refuse to give up the feeling of free souls though the law creeps closer to finding Jed’s corpse and subsequently killers.

Though well written and insightful the tale pales next to Thelma and Louise, which readers, as this reviewer did, will compare this novel to the movie. Still this is an intriguing look at five courageous women battling for domestic tranquillity in a world that ignores their plight until they squeak the wheel. SEEING PINK condemns any society that places its head in the sand when abuse occurs to anyone. Erin O’Rourke uses some humor and deep characterization to make the case that one incident ignored is unacceptable.

Harriet Klausner

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