The Magic Room

Reposted from CursingMama December 29, 2011:


Earlier this month Jeffrey Zaslow, author of The Magic Room (and many other books), passed away in a car accident.  (New York Times Article) 




**This is a compensated review on behalf of BlogHer**


According to her son, Forrest, Mrs. Gump said, “Life’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” My favorite brand of boxed chocolate comes with a handy photo guide so you know what you’re getting, but even then unless you’ve had that exact flavor before you aren’t always sure. Sometimes caramels are solid not liquid, fruit is in pieces rather than whole, flavors are different than what you expect...but it’s still chocolate and it’s still good. I believe books can be described in much the same way. Without knowing how a book is classified you don’t know what you’re going to get; but, sometimes reading the synopsis still doesn’t give you a clear picture of what to expect. Jeffrey Zaslow's The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for Our Daughters is a good example of this; what I expected and what I got were two completely different things, but it was still good, just like chocolate....or snickerdoodles.


  
What I expected was a collection of stories similar to those I watch with my daughter on “reality” television. What I ended up with is a story about a family business spanning generations. Stories of brides from many walks of life, some facing challenges I hope my daughter, or future daughter-in-law will never have to face.  I have an understanding of how contemporary attitudes regarding marriage have changed the wedding industry. And, I have a new hope that someday my daughter will have a magical “Magic Room” experience of her very own.