The Middle Ages

From Publishers Weekly A 40-something New Yorker gets a second chance at love and life in this warm-hearted if wandering third novel by Fields (Crossing Brooklyn Ferry; Lily Beach). Divorced and the mother of teenaged twins, Jane Larsen has worked for the same Manhattan architectural firm for 18 years, designing for chain businesses rather than the dream houses she'd prefer. Disenchanted with men, equally disenchanted with her own overweight and over-the-hill appearance, she's given up on finding love again. But when she's downsized, she takes that as an opportunity to return to her dream of designing houses (the Brooklyn brownstone she renovated for herself is lovingly described), and using the Internet she locates Jack Crashin, her true love whom she hasn't seen in nearly 30 years, the man who first inspired her to become an architect. Sparks begin to fly long-distance-he's in Nashville-and eventually the two reunite. Will Jack and Jane be able to make it work the second time around, despite many complicating factors? Their e-mail exchanges become maudlin, and Jane's view of herself as an unattractive, "cellulitic" woman past her prime is hardly uplifting, all of which is a shame since the author's message-about the need to rearrange one's life in order to avoid regrets-is resoundingly positive. If readers can get past the flaws, Jane's story may resonate with those looking for midlife inspiration.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal From the author of Crossing Brooklyn comes a sophisticated urban love story that will appeal to readers who have reached their own "middle ages." Amicably divorced from the father of her twin teenaged daughters, Jane Larsen lives well on her architect's salary from the prestigious New York firm where she has spent her entire career. Yet she finds herself bored with the commercial building assignments and longs for some excitement. On a lark, Jane searches the Internet for her first real love, a long-lost college boyfriend who also stirred her early interest in architecture. She finds him living in Nashville, and they reconnect over the distance by sustaining an increasingly intimate e-mail correspondence. Meanwhile, when her firm is faced with trimming costs, Jane is fired with only a five-month severance package. Although concerned about her financial future and her ability to find an equally good position at her age, Jane realizes that this setback frees her to pursue her dream of designing houses. She jumps at the offer of a commission from a handsome stranger, who also threatens to become a less distant lover. The complexities make for very enjoyable reading. Highly recommended for all fiction collections. - Sheila Riley, Smithsonian Inst. Libs., Washington, DC Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.