Friendships carry on in 'It’s Not All Downhill’ | Book review

It’s Not All Downhill From Here

By Terry McMillan

Ballantine Books. 368 pp. $28

Reviewed by Lincee Ray

Best-selling author Terry McMillan has spent the past 30 years creating strong female characters who know what they want in life. In her latest novel, It’s Not All Downhill From Here, McMillan introduces a new group of women who also fit that mold.

Loretta “Lo” Curry is pushing 70 years old and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Her beauty business is a huge success, her close circle of friends are available any time of day, and even though her family is a bit dysfunctional, she can always count on her husband, Carl, to make her feel like a million bucks.

Lo’s sparkling outlook on life dampens, thanks to a terrible tragedy. The unexpected twist causes her to approach even the simplest of tasks in a different manner. As the days unfold, Lo’s confidence plummets and the weight of her “golden years” feels suffocating.

Her band of eccentric friends swoop in at full force, reminding Lo that she is surrounded by women who love her. They are also quick to share that they, too, suffer from their own struggles. Since each one brings a different strength to the table, the friends will rely on one another to remind them who they were meant to be.

It’s Not All Downhill From Here is a story about the ups and downs of family and the consistency of deep friendships. McMillan proves once again that she is a skilled master at writing dialogue for strong, intelligent women who know how to laugh in the face of tragedy instead of being consumed by it.

From the Associated Press.