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Jun 23, 2016msp_pier rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The After Party is a coming of age story about two girls, best friends, in the 1950’s in oil-rich Texas. We have Joan; beautiful, rich, all the boys want her, all the girls want to be her. Her best friend Cece, not as rich, not as pretty, but important all the same because she’s Joan’s best friend. Joan has never lived by society’s expectations, in an era where women were seen and not heard, where they were debutantes, where they married straight out of HS, Joan stands out. And Cece has always been her partner in crime, or someone to help clean up her messes. As they get older, however, Joan’s behavior becomes more and more scandalous and Cece, now married, is starting to wonder whether her friendship with Joan is real, or if she’s just Joan’s “handmaiden.” Anton DiSclafani’s description of the 50’s in the socialite world of Texas was captivating and I couldn’t put this book down. I loved it. I loved all of the characters and the relationship between Joan and Cece. As I was reading, I knew that something big was going to happen and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is mysterious and intriguing. If you’re a fan of Historical Fiction, I highly recommend it.