The Chairs Are Jealous - Book Review

The Chairs Are Jealous

Author: J. Denise Kulick
Genre: Fiction - Fantasy
Publisher: Independently published
Date Published: July 14, 2020
ISBN-10: 9798648684409
ISBN-13: 9798648684409


Click here to read a sample

GoodReads Rating:
5.00

Book Review of :  The Chairs Are Jealous



the-chairs-are-jealous.jpg

J. Denise Kulick, author of The Chairs Are Jealous, pulls the reader's leg and tickles his funny bone in this fun fantasy. Set in 1958, near New York City, the novel's plot follows the adventures of Marian Fennell.  Marian is an introverted textile conservator in a large university. She and her extroverted sister were orphaned when young and were reared by Aunt Ruthie who plays a pivotal part in the plot.

After leaving a terrifying phone call to Marian, Ruthie vanishes. Despite warnings, Marian rushes to Ruthie's home to look for clues.  What she discovers is a hilarious and unimaginable scene that resembles a Disney cartoon movie. Confronted with mind-boggling destruction, she finds that animated furniture has taken over Ruth's house. On the ceiling, "strands of cooked spaghetti hung like yellowish fringe from a tomato sauced circle overhead."

Marian's uncle Phil, Ruthie's brother-in-law, laughs off the chaos caused by a set of squabbling dining chairs, the John Hepplewhites. Cleaning up the mess, Marian discovers an elaborate Persian rug that can talk and morph into a shadowy young lady, Tazzi. Marian is given the job of babysitting the chairs and Tazzi to make sure they don't leave the house. The neighbors or, more important, the police should not know of their presence. How do you explain to the police such happening as rugs, and chairs that talk?  There are many conflicts as Marian tries to discover what has happened to her aunt. While staying in Ruthie's home, she is attacked by mysterious intruders who came to steal Tazzi but is rescued by the chairs.

Marian is convinced that she is helpless, clueless, and has no power. To find Ruthie, she must force herself out of her safety zone and venture out on her own to develop her strength… "moxie." She must make her own decisions, fall down, and when that happens, get up and keep trying.

Determined to rescue Ruthie, Marian teams up with Tazzi, who admits that she is a flying carpet that has lost her ability to fly. Or has she? If the reader has ever stubbed a toe on a chair leg or tripped over the edge of a rug, he will not question that furniture just might be able to react as Kulick's have. The author's graphic visualization of place and actions are imaginative and permit the reader to mentally "see" the action and personality of the animated furniture.

When the time comes for Tazzi to save a baby, can she reclaim her unique abilities and protect the baby from harm? Can Marian get the Hepplewhites to behave and help with finding Aunt Ruthie?

Marian and Aunt Ruthie are both experts in the conservation of rare, valuable textiles. The vocabulary relating to tapestries, rugs, and other woven treasures may be unfamiliar to the reader, but the vocabulary usage in context will widen the readers' knowledge of this specialized art form.

The mysterious craziness makes this fantasy an amusing and entertaining read that will be long remembered by young as well as mature readers.


Reviewed by: Carole W

About J. Denise Kulick


kulick-j.-denise.jpg

J. Denise Kulick lives in a small cottage out in the country near the largest freshwater lake in Pennsylvania. She lived in four different states and moved fourteen times before returning to her home state. Her award-winning artwork has been exhibited in galleries, art shows and fairs on both coasts. Her passion for the conservation of paper and fabric artwork grew out of her work collaborating on Disney related articles for numerous magazines, including Collector's Showcase. Seeing how several valuable pieces had deteriorated in private collections sparked her interest. Her kitchen coat rack is affectionately named Wilma.





Comments

No comments submitted.
Be the first to comment on this book.



Book Review Request
newsletter.png
writers-gift-store-sml.png
book_reviewers_wanted_sml.jpg


Instant Grammar Checker

AuthorsReading.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an affiliate, this website earns from qualifying purchases.

Book Reviews of Featured Books

never-stop-singing-to-me.jpg
Never Stop Singing to Me
daft-mejora-s-infinite-madness-(or-how-to-travel-near-america-with-friends).jpg
Daft Mejora's Infinite Madness (Or, How to Travel Near America with Friends)
spies-on-safari.jpg
Spies on Safari
grays-of-novart.jpg
Grays of Novart
the-world-needs-a-uniquely-happy-you..jpg
The World Needs a Uniquely Happy You.
june-17-1967---battle-of-xom-bo-ii.jpg
June 17, 1967 - Battle of Xom Bo II