When her stepfather is killed in a car accident, Daisy is lost. Her mother is overwhelmed by grief and her younger brother is oblivious. Nobody considers Daisy's loss. After all, she loved John more than she loved her own father, Mark.
Unfortunately, Daisy's coping skills are not great. The teen will lie, steal, and engage in a sexual relationship with the husband of her mother's best friend. Nice, huh? Very sordid.
Miller's novel focuses mostly on the period in which Daisy is "lost." Of course, she is rescued. The ending is happy. No surprise there.
More than anything, I found this novel to be uncomfortable. The first sex scene between the teen and the older man is way too graphic and, well, icky. Also, the setting isn't really clear. Yes, it takes place in wine country during the eighties, but the descriptions don't ring true. Finally, the characters are uncomfortable. I didn't like any of them, identify with any of them, or even care about any of them. I've read other things by Miller--this one just doesn't seem to be as good as the others.
6/4/09
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