REVIEWS BY JULIE HALE

The Piano Tuner
The year is 1886, and England is at the height of its colonial power. On assignment for the British War Office, Edgar Drake, an unassuming, introverted tuner of pianos, is sent to India to work on a valuable instrument. In Burma, he befriends the owner of the piano, Surgeon-Major Anthony Carroll, who maintains peace with the natives by offering them free medical care and—of all things—music. Drake is soon taken with India and reluctant to leave, but his involvement in a political plot engineered by Carroll has disastrous results. Mason's debut novel is ambitious and fascinating, a smart exploration of the transformative effects of travel, as well as the dangers of colonization. A reading group guide is available in print and online at www.vintagebooks.com/read.

The Piano Tuner
By Daniel Mason
Vintage, $14
336 pages, ISBN 1400030382



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I Don't Know How She Does It
Set in London, Pearson's best-selling debut novel tells the story of Kate Reddy, wife, mother and financial whiz—a woman overbooked, overworked and consistently stressed out. The globetrotting Kate, a successful executive, fights to maintain her poise despite the chaos of her domestic life and demanding job. Overseeing a household that includes her two kids and architect-husband, armed with lists to remind her of pressing tasks, Kate is hardly the picture of grace under pressure, and that's exactly why readers will quickly become enamoured of her. She's a believable character struggling to be supermom, a plight that will feel all too familiar to today's ambitious females. Pearson—a mother herself, as well as an award-winning journalist—has written an authentic, moving tribute to working women that's richly detailed and expertly crafted. A reading group guide is available in print and online at www.anchorbooks.com.

I Don't Know How She Does It
By Allison Pearson
Anchor, $13.95
352 pages, ISBN 0375713751



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The Last Girls
Another sassy classic from the mistress of modern Southern literature. In this delightfully fast-paced novel, Smith brings together a group of female friends for an unforgettable reunion. During their college days, the feisty bunch had taken their cue from Huck Finn, built a raft and floated down the Mississippi River. That was 35 years ago. Now, four of the women—the contentedly married Catherine; Courtney, a society bee; Anna, a successful romance novelist, and timid Harriet—have come together for a steamboat cruise on the river in remembrance of their dead friend, the troubled, impulsive Baby. Flashing back to the 1960s, the characters reminisce about their college years. These wonderful scenes reveal the similarities and differences between a diverse group of women who are tied by the common bond of memory. A Good Morning America "Read This!" selection, this best-selling novel is a heartwarming exploration of friendship and womanhood. A reading group guide is included in the book.

The Last Girls
By Lee Smith
Harvest, $14.95
432 pages, ISBN 0345464958



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