The Outlook for Earthlings by Joan Frank

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The Outlook For Earthlings traces a difficult friendship across a lifetime. Melanie Taper is rule-bound, timid, self-erasing. Yet in unguarded moments she demonstrates such deadly insight into human foibles as to suggest a strength that has, for dark reasons, deliberately hidden itself lifelong. Scarlet Rand is rash, willful, abrasive—vexed by “demure” traits and “small fussing motions.” Shocked by Mel’s passivity and near-archaic saintliness, Scarlet disbelieves it. Their friendship suggests to each a final frontier, a saving sanctuary. Yet at its core each woman takes a secret, moral offense at the other’s inmost nature—and her choices. Against the deadline of the illness which is slowly destroying one of them, a reckoning must occur.

The Outlook for Earthlings considers the limits of friendship—and of witnessing. It asks how we may finally measure a life—and who should do the measuring.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a book! Joan Frank's latest novel, The Outlook for Earthlings, explores the ins and outs of female friendship. And it is fascinating. I absolutely LOVED reading this book!

This is the story of Melanie and Scarlet and their life-long friendship that has survived high school (where they met), growing up, marriage, and now illness. We read about their opinions of one another, their perspectives on life, and the ways in which this friendship has ebbed and flowed for so long.  The complexities of friendship is looked at and illustrated in such an honest and open manner, that you can't help but start to wonder about your own friendships in life. I found it so interesting how long it took for Scarlet to understand a vital aspect of friendship - support. I couldn't help but think of that old saying, "friends for a season, a reason, or a lifetime." Sometimes a friendship can be summed up so simply, or can evolve to include all three. This book definitely makes you think about the importance of friendship and what it means to you. 

I would definitely recommend The Outlook for Earthlings to fans of Frank and anyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out on this book!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Outlook for Earthlings

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!