Blame

by Michele Huneven

I wound up 2009 with what may well be my favorite book of the year… Blame, by Michele Huneven (FS&G, $25, 2009). I was predisposed to like this book because I loved her two previous novels, Round Rock and Jamesland, both kind of funky, very LA stories with themes of alcoholism, integrity and redemption. (I particularly loved Jamesland and the story of the James family - as in William James!)  This one tells the story of Patsy MacLemoore and a whole cast of interesting characters.  Set in the Pasadena/La Canada area, I was actually wondering if the characters in the book were okay after recent rainstorms threatened that area!  The book explores complicated moral issues and is a two thumbs up read. In addition, it would be great for book clubs.