A teenager follows along as her mother moves from town to town-and man to man-in this coming-of-age novel: Both hilarious and tragic . . . a radiant debut. -The New York Times Book Review

The inspiration for the cult-classic film starring Winona Ryder, Christina Ricci, and Cher, this novel is narrated by Charlotte Flax, a fourteen-year-old helplessly dragged by her mother from place to place, brief affair to brief affair. When they settle into a quiet New England town in 1963, the teenager yearns to stay put for once. With a convent just steps away from their home, this could be Charlotte's chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a martyred Catholic saint-despite the fact that she's Jewish. At the same time, the young caretaker at the convent is inspiring some unsaintly thoughts . . .

Patty Dann gives us a magnificent voice in the young Charlotte . . . Compelling and tender, touching and alive in her search to find some order in the chaos of her life. -The New York Times Book Review

This is a really funny book about people trying to find something to hang onto in a world that keeps shifting under their feet. Patty Dann guides us through the guerilla war between mother and daughter, through the minefields that lie between being a child and being an adult, in a voice not like any we've heard before. -John Sayles, director and novelist

Moments of pure gold . . . An energetic talent. -Kirkus Reviews

Both of [the sisters'] characters are sharply etched and recognizable. -Publishers Weekly

Poignant . . . a quirky charm. -Booklist