Joanna Lucas leaves the Hamptons behind her and takes a
rundown Texas property in her divorce settlement. Next
door lives Suzette Lee, whose main claim to fame is that a
rescued tiger once gnawed off her leg. But Suzette knows
that every red oak on Joanna's new farm was planted for the
death of a local. Why so many illnesses?
"Don't drink the water. It'll kill ya." In DAMAGED GOODS
the ominous words are borne out by a funeral where Joanna
hears about the cement plant fueled by hazardous waste
that contaminates the air, water and land. Cancers,
childhood illnesses and respiratory diseases strike with
alarming frequency in the town of Marcus, but big business
smoothes matters over because jobs are badly needed.
Unknown to most townsfolk, the plant has been exempted from
following Texan environmental regulations. Toxins are
emitted or mixed with the cement, while tiny cement
particulate matter clogs lungs. A small group of activists
attempt to gather evidence and the firm's guards set steel
traps claiming that they are for wild hogs. The man who
sold the plant to Austrians and bought up half the town,
has no interest in hearing bad news.
All Joanna wants is to repair her fixer-upper with Mexican
labour, fight off the stray emu from Suzette's place and
lick her wounds in private. But something bigger takes
over when Suzette protests about waste-burning and her home
is burned down. Joanna knows she has to side with the good
ladies of Marcus in this fight. They may trash-talk in the
diner, but they're true sisters in arms.
DAMAGED GOODS echoes the true story of 'Toms River', a book
about a New Jersey town poisoned by a dye factory and
hazardous waste. Alexandra Allred, also author of 'White
Trash', in this fictional tale writes with assurance about
her native Texas, the countryside and the people. Local
women liven up the day by gossiping and funny incidents are
remembered for years. Politicians glad-hand local people
but dine with business people. Women work hard at fund-
raising and rearing kids, but say they don't read
newspapers or know about politics. Revolution, says
Allread, is what made America, and too many Americans
prefer the status quo. Read DAMAGED GOODS - a modern
version of 'The Women's Room', it's funny, lively and sad,
and it's important.
On paper, Marcus, Texas, looks like any other small town
in Texas. Its landscape is charming, lifelong residents
have a shared history, and business is booming. But soon
after Joanna Lucas moves to town, she makes startling
discoveries. Her next door neighbor had her leg gnawed off
by a loose tiger, a beer–drinking emu lurks on her
property, and her real estate agent neglected to mention
that something in Marcus was making the residents very
sick. While Joanna ponders hiring illegal immigrants to
work on her newly acquired but dilapidated house, others
are wondering about Joanna. Is she the one? Could she be
the outsider they have been looking for to turn things
upside–down and reveal the ugly truth?
With such heavy topics as corporate greed, industrial
pollution, illegal immigrants, and corrupt politicians,
only the residents of Marcus could make Damaged Goods a
comedy. Prepare to cheer and laugh out loud as they fight
city hall! Erin Brokovich has nothing on these ladies!
When asked to describe how this book is different than
others, the honest assessment is:
I have NEVER seen a book in which a beer–swilling
emu befriends illegal/undocumented workers who help a
once–abused woman restore her home while she takes on
corporate greed and reveals why she put her bloody tampon
in the hand of a man while others ponder if urine from the
nose is okay or if they would be willing to sleep with Dick
Cheney. While grown women have breath–holding
contests, they also take on big–time lawyers despite
fire, threats, loss of wages and friends. Heavy topics such
as religion, politics and race are made funny as we also
read about a dead grandmother in the glove compartment and
a rumored leg–munching tiger on the loose.
These characters are so outrageous and so daring and so
funny that no other book can compare. When the book came to
a close, I was so sad to say 'goodbye.' These are women you
never, never want to let go.
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