Opyr, Joan. Shaken and Stirred. Bywater Books, 2011. Paperback. 302p. $14.95. 978-1-932859-79-9.

Poppy Koslowskii is recovering from a hysterectomy when she is called back to Raleigh, NC to attend to her cantankerous grandfather, who is dying.

As she and her best friend Abby make the journey back home, they relive memories, both pleasant and painful, about growing up.

Recollections of an old love affair haunt Poppy, as does the realization that she may have to “pull the plug” on her alcoholic grandfather.

Although there are plenty of opportunities for plot twists and characters to become predictable or clichéd, they never do. The people and situations are complex, flawed, and darkly funny. The subjects of substance abuse, racism, dysfunctional families, and homophobia all contribute to the plot, but these issues don’t steer the story: the characters do.

The cover art was probably intended to evoke a nostalgic 1980s’s road trip, but it merely looks dated which may be off-putting for some potential readers. Also the narrative frequently switches from present to past and back again with little warning, disconcerting for some readers. However, it strengthens the realistic grip the story offers: a real and metaphoric journey into the past is bound to be frequently interrupted by the gritty and necessary details of the present.

Shaken and Stirred features well-drawn characters, an interesting if familiar plotline, and several hilarious subplots. It is recommended for large public library adult fiction collections.

Reviewer: Sheryll Annelise Adams

Librarian II, Chicago Public Library