Dollbaby

In this tender coming-of-age novel, McNeal brings to life a place, an era, and an amazing cast of strong, larger-than-life characters. Heartrending, captivating, and ultimately, triumphant. --Cassandra King, New York Times bestselling author of Moonrise McNeal's Dollbaby is such an impressive debut--a powerful roux of family drama, long-simmering secrets and resentments, and ultimately, forgiveness and redemption. Deeply evocative, with memorable characters, Dollbaby belongs on the keeper shelf along with The Help and The Secret Life of Bees. --Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Ladies' Night Deeply southern and evocative, Laura Lane McNeal's beautifully written debut, Dollbaby, takes us back to a not-so-long ago time when we were learning to look through different eyes at the fabric of our society, race, youth and family. --Susan Crandall, author of Whistling Past the Graveyard This flavorful and enthralling novel brilliantly captures New Orleans during the civil rights era. It's a deeply personal tale about growing up and searching for family as well as a provocative exploration of race and kinship. I found it both thrilling and poignant. --Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs There is plenty of mystery and deception in Dollbaby, but the prevailing theme is love and its power to blast away even the biggest betrayals. Reading this evocative Southern novel is like alternately sipping sweet tea and healthy snorts of bournon. --Lorna Landvik, bestselling author of Patty Jane's House of Curl Don't be surprised if you see McNeal's book in a lot of beach totes along the Gulf Coast this summer. --New Orleans Times Picayune When someone asks you for a great book to read, usually you pause and think about genre and authors and then give a few options. But every now and then there's a book you tell everyone to read, because it is that good. Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is that book. --Durham Herald-Sun A vivid portrayal of post-war New Orleans, lush and evocative in its descriptions, McNeal's unique voice shines through surprising and pleasing the reader. Fans of Pat Conroy and Sue Monk Kidd will enjoy this new Southern talent. --Library Journal (starred review) In the vein of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Help, McNeal's touching coming-of-age tale brings to life Civil Rights-era New Orleans. . . . Rich characterization makes McNeal's debut a lovely summer read. --Kirkus A touching coming-of-age story that is sincere and poignant. --Booklist McNeal's witty prose and expertise on all things New Orleans will enrapture readers of The Help and Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. --BookPage Beautifully rendered and perfectly paved, Dollbaby is one novel this year not to be missed, with just the right amount of mystery mixed with coming of age drama. --Book Reporter