The ideal components of an enticing beach read strike a delicate harmony between the tender and bitter, the laughter and the sorrow. A comedic tome with an edge that lures the reader into its grip, ready to either lash out or chuckle, can be incredibly engaging. A prime example of this balance is Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 book, Mr and Mrs American Pie, a tale that superbly embodies this essence. This enigmatic narrative was recently transformed into an Apple TV show – Palm Royale, featuring an ensemble cast of Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, and even pop star Ricky Martin, despite receiving mixed feedback upon its March release. However, the lukewarm reception of the series should not discourage potential readers from the book.
Promoting Mr and Mrs American pie, one cannot help but urge you to finally plan that Spanish getaway you have been procrastinating. The narrative invites for a bright day by the poolside, under a sunny beach umbrella, losing yourself in the unfolding social saga of Maxine Hortence Simmons. A socialite whose world comes crashing down around her. Being a part of elite society, Maxine often rubs shoulders with her husband’s associates’ wives over extravagant feasts, indulging in the luxurious lifestyle paired with cocktails and chatter. But, her life takes a sharp turn when, just as she is preparing to host a Thanksgiving dinner, her husband Douglas informs her that their marital journey has come to an end and it is her, not he, who must leave their home. To her shock, she finds herself replaced by his expectant secretary.
Set against the backdrop of the late 60s and early 70s, the onset of a new decade marks the rapid deterioration of Maxine’s life. High on Valium and cocktails, she falls apart even before the Thanksgiving turkey is sliced. In fact, she spectacularly disrupts the dinner by storming through their Palm Springs mansion with the turkey, eventually tumbling into the swimming pool while still clasping the bird. This scene of melancholy is well counterbalanced with McDaniel’s characteristic light-heartedness, with the guests who were aware of her husband’s infidelity looking on.
The divorce agreement has seen her exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona, for a three-year stint. This relocation represents the absolute lowest point in Maxine’s life; she is left with no choice but to reconstruct her world from scratch. Venturing back to her former beauty pageant trajectory, she opts for a sham marriage and participation in Mrs American Pie – a beauty competition designed specifically for wives. She prepares for the contest, exploring various facets of herself by using a Catholic church’s Confession booth as an impromptu acting stage. As she steps into the shoes of her different “alter egos” – a range of characters that include business people, bankers, farm workers, wanderers, poets, and artists – she notes a growing excitement in the priest’s voice with each confession she makes. These instances of comedy that drape over the hidden layers of intense suffering are evocative of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag – an ingenious circumstance worth scheduling a second experience.