Alpha Bette
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Published by: River Grove Books
Release Date: September 5, 2023
Pages: 286
ISBN13: 978-1632997180
Synopsis
Bette Gartner, a 95 year old widow, wakes up one morning and decides to give a dinner party that night for her small family, staff, two neighbors and a medium – and no one knows why. The story takes place over the course of a day and switches back and forth between the multiple points of view of Bette and her guests. We learn their back stories as well as the motivations, dreams, hopes, and fears that drive them forward, from the mundanities of daily life to larger existential anxieties. The storylines finally converge at the dinner table where the coming together of different personalities and the meeting of tensions and pain points erupt into epiphanies, resolutions, and new beginnings—all before the final act of the evening Betty has planned.
Praise
"The whole novel read as a drumroll that kept getting faster and louder approaching the end, so that by the time the ending arrived, I didn’t know what hit me. I had to reread the last chapter to see that I didn’t miss anything. It’s a kind of ending that is open to interpretation and should make a good discussion in book clubs. I loved it. It wasn’t spoon-feeding. There’s nothing to dislike about this book."
—Online Book Club
Read the full review
"In this sweet and humane drama, debut novelist Manocherian recounts one day in the life of matriarch Bette Gartner as she prepares a formal soirée from her wheelchair. Manocherian juggles the large cast by titling chapters with each point of view as it takes its turn. Not only do the multiple points of view allow in-depth observations of different aspects of loneliness, loss, and relationships, but they also propel the story with vigorous pacing."
—PW BookLife
"A deeply moving family drama about love, regret, and hope, Alpha Bette had my attention from the beginning. I loved the characters, especially Rosie and Venera. Each had a backstory that helped make the novel come alive. Jennifer also made it easy to empathize with the role players, even the dreaded and never-married Miss Sidenstriker. I recommend this inspirational drama to everyone who loves their family and the company of little old ladies who are impossibly stubborn."
—Readers Favorite
"Alpha Bette is an intriguing novel whose compelling cast members are invited to a surprising dinner party. Manocherian’s captivating novel Alpha Bette concerns family, friendship, and unexpected human connections."
—Foreword Clarion
Excerpt
The Old Lady’s Housekeeper
Would that I were a fly on the wall inside Mavis Jane’s studio, Rosie thought as she waited for Mrs. G. on an old wooden bench covered with pigeon droppings at the end of the alley. Maybe a séance, with Mrs. G. hoping to communicate with Mr. G. That’s about as likely as snow in July. Even unlikelier. But if it makes Mrs. G. feel a connection to him, what’s the harm?
God knows Rosie missed him, too. He was a real gentleman. No matter what she did for him, no matter how small, “Please, Rosemary,” or “Thank you, Rosemary.” Always Rosemary, never Rosie, which she took as a sign of, in his view, respect. On St. Patrick’s Day, he would march into the kitchen in the morning to make sure she noticed his green tie. That night he would bring home green carnations for her. And on holidays, always a thoughtful bonus, even on Mother’s Day. They maintained their boundaries—she knew her position—but she couldn’t help it, she loved him like a father.
Rosie was curious why now, why today, Mrs. G. wanted to contact him. Whatever the reason, Rosie resolved not to be a spoiler. She needed to shut her big trap and play along.
Rosie saw the door open, and Mavis Jane Robbins wheeled out Mrs. G. Wonder what that half hour cost, Rosie thought. A hundred bucks? More? Does she give guarantees?
“I can’t thank you enough,” Mrs. G. told the medium. “Nine-thirty, then. Don’t be late. I don’t want to risk falling asleep before you get there.”
“I’ll be there, but remember, no guarantees.”
Man, that woman is savvy, Rosie thought, covering herself like that. And I bet she gets paid again—twice in one day.
After the medium went back inside, Mrs. G. told Rosie to add Mavis Jane Robbins to the list.
“She’s coming to the party? Will the guests be getting their fortunes told or commune with the dead?” Rosie asked, trying her best not to sound snarky.
“Never you mind.”
“That sounds like a yes.”
Despite her skepticism, Rosie was genuinely interested in experiencing what it might be like. Maybe she could ask to have her future told after all the guests were done. Who knows, maybe she will say she sees a Matt in my future. Or if not Matt, a nice man—with no cats—and with money. Wouldn’t that be a hoot.
“Now, do we still have any champagne at home?”
“Champagne? Is this going to be that kind of celebration?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“But you’re not going to tell me what it is.”
“You got that right.”