The Adjustments

3.5 Social Climbers Need for Zen Stars
* * * 1/2 Every once in a while I pick up something that will just catch my eye and imagination. Seeing the cover then reading the blurb of The Adjustments caused me to request and dig in. It had the hint of Desperate Housewives on Materialistic Steroids being led by a Zen Yogi Pied Piper down to their eventual demise.

We are given the overall view of this from the discerning eye of Elizabeth. She and her sister were raised in this Connecticut town which could boast of having roots back to a time when things were done a certain way. The "Old Money Way"... never flaunting or bragging about wealth or showing off in a crass in your face way...It was almost the opposite practice of who could drive the most nondescript car showing money didn't matter to those who had lived with it all their lives.

The draw to this little town of Cannondale had the town divided... old timers were appalled by the invasion of the new up and comers. It was difficult because the town had all the elements which drew interest... close enough to New York City...land turned into Bright Shiny McMansions and the feel like everything was safe. Families who had raised their children successfully had these children returning to continue to do the same.

With the new invaders came new establishments; trendy restaurants, wonderful daycare and Mommy & Me classes, gourmet grocers and new Yoga Studio. All of the new ventures had that feel of needing to be seen there.

We meet all of the players through the eyes of the master magician, Yogi Jack. As a new business funded by one of the financial players in the town, he has developed quite a following. The new yoga studio was a converted space from the past and was just the perfect combination to cause the senses to rest and feel cocooned by his presence. For Jack was a man who had "seen" the way to enlighten these overwrought housewives/business women. His training, charm and insight of what exactly was needed for these singularly focused women was the key to the studio's success.

We are introduced to the key players in this tale having Jack's insights as well as Elizabeth's observations. We are aware of the vast wealth of the inhabitants or at least what they had had in the past. Many of the players' husbands are either actively involved with the financial sector or were in the past. Real Estate and the complimentary businesses of Landscaping and Design are there, too. This gives us the understanding of the accumulation and one-upmanship which drives the women.

As each of the characters are given mini bios, we understand their weaknesses, needs, motivators and desires. One looking to prove she is not her upbringing... rising from a distressing childhood and embarrassing mother. Could another student's need to stifle anger repressed so long ago is only a matter of time when it will explode not if...What does a woman do when the man she married originally made her feel safe and no longer does....

All of these women have been sucked into the vortex of believing this lifestyle of consumerism and doing everything perfect is the way to prove them as the perfect wife and mother...and each have found by being at Yoga Jack's class is a relief from all the stress and happens with just a glance from him...As Yoga Jack knows what these women need...and has taken upon himself to show them.... in many ways.

The story had all of the necessary details to bring us into this world. It gave not only the authenticity but also felt as over indulged as the characters... like it was needed to drill in the mindset and emptiness of some of these lives. Husbands were used by having them address their shopping, beauty treatments and spending.... with moments which were staggeringly cutting. They highlighted how these marriages had lost the essence why they married in the first place.

Our voice of reason, Elizabeth, was the only one who saw exactly what was happening; she never became involved with Yoga Jack in the way others did. She was like the one who saw everything, was told everything and just took it all in. When her sister moves back, Abby take a class and becomes intrigued with the ideas Jack shares about his Yoga practice.

The book has much more than what I am giving you. There is this trail of women captivated by this Yogi and what he offers... it is much more than the stretching and centering of a regular class...and is he all he proclaims to be...All these women thinking their special sessions are the answer to their overindulged lives...or is it....

The writing kept me interested; although I had an idea of what was the outcome, it did not deter my interest in following where the author led me. I must say though, none of the characters were true favorites of mine....There was cheating involved; it was a major part of the story. Also, I understand Elizabeth was to be my eyes for this... her marriage, career and mothering solid... It was her participation as a bystander during most of it was what left me at times at odds. Her sister's story-line gave edge and heart yet also played fast and loose with ethics.

The most touching part of this story was the blunt and real way the financial crisis was described; how it impacted those responsible, those who were victims and the families left behind. Financial pain and loss of careers impacts all, no matter the status level...

If you are looking for a peak into how those society page couples live, learning dirty secrets and having a touch of sexuality...then The Adjustments by Anne Lineberger is just the thing. Ms. Lineberger is an accomplished reporter, editor, and writer for numerous publications with focus on entertainment, real estate, gardens and design. With this experience.... she knows from where she writes.

A gifted copy was provided by Full Fathom Five Digital for an honest review