If Tomorrow Never Comes
Marlo Schalesky
Reviewed by Teresa Konopka
Marlo Schalesky’s “If Tomorrow Never Comes” is a personal dive into the
innermost fiber of a contemporary woman. After growing up in a
Christian household, she has learned to trust God and pray for what she
wants in life. However, recently her prayers are being turned
away
left and right.
As a young girl, the main character Kinna fell
in love with her childhood beau and playmate: Jimmy. Laughing and
playing Frisbee, these two grew up together. Their juvenile play
dates
turned into real dates, and they eventually married.
Flashing
forward to present day, Kinna is having a hard time conceiving a
child. Her womb is dubbed barren by doctors. In many Bible
scenes,
the worst of women were cursed with infertility. Kinna begins to
think
she has lost connection with God. She becomes melancholy and even
uses
drugs.
Both Kinna and Jimmy get laid off from their jobs, and
their relationship continues to spiral downward. Kinna catches
Jimmy
fraternizing with a voluptuous young woman, and she is overcome by
depressing anger. The drama in the book is definitely plausible
and
easy to believe.
When everything seems to be going terribly
wrong, new characters change things around. Good Samaritans
spring up
out of the woodwork. An elderly janitor drives away Jimmy’s
mistress
and advises him to stay faithful to his wife; meanwhile, an eccentric
woman from the beach befriends Kinna and acts almost like a therapist
to her.
The novel has much mention of faith, yet it does not
force religion upon readers. It merely gives the religious
perspective
of the characters. As for the infertility part and the affair,
these
sections are written well. There are no graphic images or overly
explicit content.
This book is a great read for all, although
middle aged women in marriage may find it more relatable. “If
Tomorrow
Never Comes” by Marlo Schalesky will be released in March 2009.