SISTERCHICKS Down Under, by Robin Jones Gunn,2005, Multnomah Publishers, Inc.

This light (235 p.) read takes the protagonist on a life-changing trip from California which is her home to New Zealand and Australia and back.  What makes it life-changing is not so much the places themselves but, as she puts it, “It’s the people, it’s the people, it’s the people.”

Not many books I’ve read are in first person, but this one is.  The effect seemed to make me wonder whether I could actually identify with her or not.  She is a light-hearted and compassionate middle-aged woman.  She has accompanied her husband who is working on a project in New Zealand, and initially she feels very bored until she meets another woman who is a widow and they have all kinds of fun together.

They inspire and teach and encourage each other, the whole while letting loose like a couple of kids and lightening up life for themselves and others.  It is an ideal healthy friendship of the type I do enjoy with several of my own female friends.

I also enjoyed learning bits about New Zealand and Australia.  Maybe I’ll get to go there someday too!