Dr. Rocksinger and the age of longing

by Jill Robinson

1982 1st Knopf. 8vo., hardcover. Fine in Near Fine DJ.

337 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Radio talk show interviewer Margot settles in CT with husband #3 thinking life will be idyllic. After he leaves her life becomes unmanageable. She has 2 teen children from a previous marriage who are enduring their own growing pains and problems. Once Margot meets Hedy a younger up and coming rock star she starts to enjoy life, but she’s still steadfast in her role as a mother figure. The story spans about a year and ends with a Happy Thanksgiving gathering. Found the story line interesting, the characters atypical and was ¾ of the way through when I grasped the deep emotional concerns of this family unit. Margot is in the AA program and she finally “gets” living her life and the satisfaction that comes from one day at a time.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but I found the writing a little choppy. In creating dialog, I think there's a fine line between making conversation absolutely realistic, as Jill Robinson tries to do, and making it "readably realistic." People do talk in a staccato kind of way, but I don't think dialog should be rendered EXACTLY as people talk. Unless you're part of the actual real-life conversation, it's hard to follow on the page.

I like how the main character grew from being alcoholic and needy to being more sure of herself and more mature. I love this kind of story arc.