When Roz Rosenzwieg, a brash and radiant New York Jew, meets Edwin Anderson at a party, she can hardly believe that she is attracted to the soft-spoken Nebraskan; she marries him a few months later, and soon gives birth to their daughter, Miranda. A golden lit trail of good fortune. But as Miranda grows, Roz's love for her becomes so fierce and focused that it skews everything else in their lives (including Roz's marriage).

And yet their comedic chemistry is also a great attractor -- drawing them a wonderful, eccentric, and constantly changing cast of characters who enter the Roz and Miranda-centered universe at their own risk, with both unhappy and hilarious results. Whether it's Miranda's best friend from summer camp, Darrin, or Alex, the hippie film student who rents a room in their brownstone, or Miranda's orthodontist (and Roz's new love interest). the unsinkable Steven Stone, or even Edwin's second wife, Kathy, someone usually spills the secrets that Miranda and Roz keep from each other, provocation and protection being equal elements in their slightly screwy bond.

With spirited dialogue, off-beat humor, and a sharp and contemporary style, Thisbe Nissen delivers an irresistible and original debut novel.

"There's a generousness about the way she zooms in on her characters that lets the reader know she has an idea of boundaries, while her restraint never means that she's failed to reveal what's most important. You'll feel you've lived with her characters...