"New England PEN Discovery Award-winner Mitchell writes prose that hums with vibrant characters, zippy dialogue and a poignant humor." -- "Publishers Weekly""" "We live in hard times. That's one reason why a feel-good book like Mary E. Mitchell's delightful "Starting Out Sideways "is so valuable. But there are many more reasons to love this book: the characters, who, utterly endearing or deliciously fun to hate, are so fully fleshed out you'll feel you ought to offer them a chair. The full-of-surprises story that keeps you rapidly turning pages. The humor that makes you laugh out loud--literally--balanced by a well-earned poignancy. The writing is fluid and natural and smart. Most importantly, there is a humanity exhumed in this book that makes you feel proud and hopeful about being a human on planet Earth. These days, that's a rare and wonderful thing." --Elizabeth Berg, "New York"" Times "bestselling author of "The Year of Pleasures"
""Starting Out Sideways "simply sparkles! Mary Mitchell' s debut novel is a fabulous story of joy and heartache, laughter and love."
--Claire Cook, author of "Must Love Dogs" "Heartbreaking, redeeming, and beautifully written." - Kim Gruenenfelder, author of "A Total Waste of Makeup" "Hilarious and heart-wrenching, "Starting Out Sideways "is a superb debut from a fresh and funny new voice in contemporary fiction. Mary E. Mitchell has crafted a story whose vivid characters jump from the page and hang out in your subconscious for days...you will root for Roseanna Plow with every fiber of your being."
--Tracy McArdle, author of"Confessions of a Nervous Shiksa "and "Real Women Eat Beef"