Book Review: The After Party by Anton DiSclafani!

The After Party
Author: Anton DiSclafani
Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Published: Riverhead Books

My Rating:

From the nationally bestselling author of The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls comes a story of 1950s Texas socialites and the one irresistible, controversial woman at the bright, hot center of it all.
Fortier is the epitome of Texas glamour and the center of the 1950s Houston social scene. Tall, blonde, beautiful, and strong, she dominates the room and the gossip columns. Every man who sees her seems to want her; every woman just wants to be her. But this is a highly ordered world of garden clubs and debutante balls. The money may flow as freely as the oil, but the freedom and power all belong to the men. What happens when a woman of indecorous appetites and desires like Joan wants more? What does it do to her best friend?

Devoted to Joan since childhood, Cece Buchanan is either her chaperone or her partner in crime, depending on whom you ask. But as Joan’s radical behavior escalates, Cece’s perspective shifts—forcing one provocative choice to appear the only one there is.
A thrilling glimpse into the sphere of the rich and beautiful at a memorable moment in history, The After Party unfurls a story of friendship as obsessive, euphoric, consuming, and complicated as any romance.

The After Party was a fast read. I got through 100 pages in a day easily - which was a plus.

They story was entertaining in a Real Housewives of Houston way, only set in the 1950's. The women take care of their families, go to social functions and gossip.

My thoughts on the two main women:
Cece, given her childhood and family life I get her attachment to Joan, but it crossed over into a self-destructive obsession.

The secret Joan withheld was easy to guess before it was revealed. While it was tragic I didn't feel overly sorry for her. Perhaps because she was spoiled. I guess, though, that her decisions are more true to life. Not everyone gets to pick themselves up when they hit rock bottom. In a more inspirational story she would have achieved her dreams to "go where the ideas are."

I loved the descriptions of the fashion of the day. DiSclafani painted a clear picture for my mind to imagine the glamour and elegance. I thought of fashion sketches and illustrations of the 1950's.

Overall I was luke-warm about The After Party. I liked it well enough, especially that I finished it in 4 days, but it's not added to the favorite list.

3 out 5 cocktails.