Commencement

A sparkling debut novel a tender story of friendship a witty take on liberalarts colleges and a fascinating portrait of the first generation of women whohave al... » 

A sparkling debut novel a tender story of friendship a witty take on liberalarts colleges and a fascinating portrait of the first generation of women whohave all the opportunities in the world but no clear idea about what tochoose. Assigned to the same dorm their first year at Smith College CeliaBree Sally and April couldnt have less in common. Celia a lapsed Catholicarrives with her grandmothers rosary beads in hand and a bottle of vodka inher suitcase beautiful Bree pines for the fiance she left behind in SavannahSally pristinely dressed in Lilly Pulitzer is reeling from the loss of hermother and April a radical redheaded feminist wearing a Riot Dont DietTshirt wants a room transfer immediately. Together they experience theecstatic highs and painful lows of early adulthood Celias trust in men isdemolished in one terrible evening Bree falls in love with someone she couldnever bring home to her traditional family Sally seeks solace in her Englishprofessor and April realizes that for the first time in her life she hasfriends she can actually confide in. When they reunite for Sallys wedding fouryears after graduation their friendships have changed but they remainfiercely devoted to one another. Schooled in the ideals of feminism they haveto figure out how it applies to their real lives in matters of love workfamily and sex. For Celia Bree and Sally this means grappling with onenight stands maiden names and parental disapprovalalong with occasionalloneliness and heartbreak. But for April whose activism has become her lifeswork it means something far more dangerous. Written with radiant style andawicked sense of humor Commencement not only captures the intensity ofcollege friendships and first loves but also explores with great candor thecomplicated and contradictory landscape facing young women today. «