"Modernization of Auntie Mame"
In Springfield, Missouri Mame suffers a heart attack that
sends her nephew radio talk show host "Doc" Elliot Roth
scrambling from St. Louis to insure she is okay. Mame,
owner of Mame's School of Alternative Life Lessons worries
about Elliot who she feels never fools around. He works
out continuously and he only eats healthy foods. Elliot
remains traumatized because his father died from a heart
attack at thirty-five, the same age Elliot is now. In the hospital Elliot trips over Mame's disciple Alys
Seagraves whose husband died last year from cancer and
both her parents are dead. Mame fakes out Elliot and
steals his car from the hospital lot. He worries about
her and visits Alys for information. She also is
concerned as she and Mame were going to go together to New
Mexico. Elliot decides to follow his Aunt Mame, but Alys
forces her way onto the trek. Like two pigeons, Mame has
maneuvered her two favorite folks; as if on cue these
opposites fall in love, but both fear commitment because
people die. This modernization of Auntie Mame is a delightful
contemporary romance starring two likable lead
protagonists and a brilliant Machiavellian matchmaking
technician who could have won the election for Kerry. The
story line is fun as Elliot fears myocardial infarction,
but Alys makes his heart beat faster and louder. Alys
tries to live life to the fullest, but has also learned
how death stalks love. Patricia Rice serves up an amusing
yet serious tale of survivors struggling with love and
death. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 4, 2004
SummaryTHE OPEN ROAD WILL OPEN THEIR HEARTS
Free spirit Alys Seagraves and her elderly, eccentric friend
Mame are about to embark upon an epic road trip across
historic Route 66 when Mame suffers a medical setback that
throws a wrench into their plans. Never the willing patient,
Mame sneaks out of the hospital, determined to go it alone
as she relives the memories of her honeymoon along the
famous highway. Now Alys has to trail the spunky senior
westward and bring her back to reality.
Yet Alys isn't alone. Mame's nephew, Elliot Ross, a very
sexy but very serious doctor, is sharing in the driving
duties. Elliot has a voice like velvet and eyes to match.
The impromptu couple will be spending many hours together in
an aging pink Cadillac—and the sparks are destined to
fly. After retracing the romantic path that Mame and her
late husband followed long-ago Alys and Elliot will discover
on the sunny shores of California, that one must always live
for the moment . . . and take a chance on love.
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