Maria works at a day program with mentally and physically disabled adults. She is mandated by her agency to include her clients in the larger community. Unfortunately she is finding it a challenge to get the Scottish working-class town where she lives to welcome her clients. She decides to put on a community variety show and invite participation from all the community groups. With the help of her spiritual guides, Madonna and Nelson Mandela, and a fascinating group of eccentric characters, will Maria succeed in creating a hit show?
This is a funny and endearing book. The community of Hexton is full of wonderful characters. Maria’s clients are all fully realized individuals. Also helping with the show are Ray, the mysterious and charismatic furniture maker who lets Maria use the deconsecrated church he is using as a workshop to hold her show, Alice, the leader of the senior citizen can-can dancer group, an evangelical Pastor, and a transvestite Madonna impersonator. Maria has some challenges, some romance, and some moral choices to make as she tries to fulfill her mandate to include her charges in the larger community.
Having worked with children and adults with special needs for over 25 years, I can relate to Maria’s situation. The humour and humanity of this book make it a very enjoyable read.
No comments:
Post a Comment