Joan Frank Livres

The Outlook for Earthlings  traces an unusual, difficult friendship across a lifetime, between women of stunningly opposite natures. Melanie Taper is timid, compelled to obey and venerate authority. 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. Scarlet Rand, by contrast, is rash, willful, and impatient of reverence of any stripe. Scarlet is shocked by Mel's passive reserve; despite her obvious gifts, Mel is—bafflingly—self-erasing. Mel's saintliness maddens Scarlet—because finally and most troublingly, Scarlet disbelieves it. Their friendship suggests to each a final frontier, a saving sanctuary. Yet at its core, a pained impasse soon becomes each woman takes a secret, moral offense at the other's inmost nature—and choices. Living out these differences—against awareness of the illness which is slowly destroying one of them—proves an ultimate challenge. In each, a reckoning must occur. The Outlook for Earthlings examines what women want, amid conflicting layers of need. It ponders beginnings, endings, and Virginia Woolf's declaration that good angels must be killed. It considers the limits of friendship—and of the act of witnessing. At its heart, it asks how we may finally measure a life—and who should do the measuring.

Set against the backdrop of mid-80s California, the narrative explores an unlikely friendship amidst the chaos of the dotcom boom. The characters navigate a world filled with youthful ambition and naivety, highlighting the complexities of relationships during a time of rapid change and economic upheaval.

Exploring the complexities of love and marriage, this collection delves into the lives of men and women at different ages and stages in contemporary America. With a blend of wry humor and poignant reflection, it reveals the nuanced truths that emerge over time. Set against backdrops like Paris, California, and Spain, the stories capture both the uncertainties and triumphs of relationships, showcasing Joan Frank's keen insight into human experiences.

Exploring the complexities of a writer's life, Joan Frank's collection of essays blends memoir with practical guidance and literary critique. She shares her insights on the realities of writing, addressing topics like marketing, rejection, and the importance of art. Frank's engaging and approachable style invites both aspiring writers and avid readers to reflect on the writing process. Through her personal experiences and observations of other writers, she transforms specific challenges into universal truths, making her reflections both original and relatable.

Exploring the complexities of growing up, the narrative captures the protagonist's vivid memories of her unique friendship with a spirited artist neighbor. Through a series of snapshots, it delves into themes of time's passage, the transformation of identity, and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, evoking an autumnal atmosphere. The story reflects on the arbitrary aspects of personality and the inevitable qualities of past experiences, reminiscent of cherished music that lingers in memory.

In her quartet of novellas, Joan Frank invites readers into the inner lives of characters bewildered by love, grief, and inexplicable affinities.