Defining Dulcie -- Paul Acampora

Throughout Defining Dulcie, I was reminded of Joan Bauer and oddly enough, Because of Winn-Dixie.  Imagine my delight at finding JB and KD at the top of the acknowledgments page.  (YES!  I am SO SMART!  I love those moments.)

Anyway.  I loved it.  Like me expand:  I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. 

Like D.J. Schwenk, Dulcie is the antithesis of the rich Gossip Girl type.  She is no brand-name slinging privileged princess.  She's also not a cringing orphan or a single teen mom or a downtrodden social outcast.

She's just Dulcie.  She knows who she is, and she certainly knows that she doesn't want to be in California:

America is big.  REALLY big.  It reaches farther, wider, and taller than they ever tell you in school or that you'd ever guess from just looking at it on a map.  And if I didn't notice the huge stretch of miles between Connecticut and California on the long drive westward, I sure noticed it a few weeks later when I stole Dad's truck and drove back to Newbury all by myself.

I didn't just love Dulcie.  I loved her whole family: 

Dulcie's dad (he dies before the story begins but that won't stop you from loving him) thought George was the best Beatle,

her grandfather painted his house lime green and sunflower yellow when the neighbors complained about dark purple -- and he's threatened bright orange if they complain again,

Roxanne turns a very serious conversation between Dulcie and her grandfather into a game show moment,

and Dulcie's mom is just fantastic. 

(No, Roxanne isn't technically related.  But I'm counting her anyway.)

I know that I've been comparing authors to Joan Bauer left and right lately, but what can I do?  Dulcie has that same strong work ethic that Bauer heroines traditionally have, and she has that same strong interest in what she does, too.  The book is also an excellent comfort read.

As for the Winn-Dixie comparison:  Not only does it deal with loss, but Defining Dulcie is chock-full of quirky, lovable characters -- emphasis on lovable.  I don't mean some sort of Care Bears cheesy cutesy lovable.  I mean that it seems like Paul Acampora poured his heart into his story, and it comes pouring back out again when you read it. 

It made me happy -- happyhappyhappy -- but tearfully, achy happy, the way that Winn-Dixie did.  And there's no dog, which, in books, is always a plus for me. 

Comments

[jess]

Sold. Especially if it's like Winn-Dixie minus the dog. "I'll take one Winn-Dixie, hold the dog please."

[Leila]

Oh, good. I was a bit concerned that my love for the book rendered me completely unintelligible.

Just in case it matters, it's geared older than BoWD, too. And it's really different. It just made me feel the same way.

[Jac]

Ok, I've read not a few reviews/personal takes on this book. Yours actually made me want to move it up like 20 spots in the pile 'o books. (That's actually saying a lot!) ;)

[Erin I]

So, does the library have Defining Dulcie????? or will I never get to read that book either.:)

[Leila]

Yes, we do. Would you like me to put it on hold for you?

[Colleen]

I thought "Dulcie" was great as well - I reviewed it over at Eclectica Magazine this issue. (eclectica.org/v10n2/review_list.html). One of my favorite parts of the book was the postcards that Dulcie sent when she was traveling cross country and all the funky places she stopped in. Acampora really revealed a lot about his character by showing her choices in tourist destinations. I also thought it was cool how hard she worked, and how much she loved the work she did. This was an excellent book (like you said) and so unique. I loved it.

[Erin I]

Yes. Thak you

[Erin I]

that would be, Thank You

[Leila]

No problem-o, my dear. It'll be here for you.

[Stephanie]

I just got this book yesterday, and I can't wait to read it. I'm not sure if I'm going to like it much, but I'm excited to find out. :]

hey cool my name is dulcie

what would be another name for this book

[I NEED HELP PLZZZ]

ok i need help i have to do a project in school with defining dulcie and i dont have the book but i need it so ive been looking on the internet to see if i could just read it on the internet but it wont let me if i dont read the book ill fail big time this counts for half of my grade oif u know a website that i can go to to read it plzzz plzzz tell me ty

[mo_7]

ok i have to read this book for book club and summer reading- BUT for book club, i still have to get it and it's in a week. i need to no how ling the book is so i can figure out how much time i need....can som one help? THNX! luv ya (probably the book 2):)
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