Cracks in the Foundation

by Erica Ferencik

Book Overview

"After 39 years of digging for paydirt in Squamskootnocket, New York's famously feeble real estate market, Ginger Kanadoo has again struck...dirt. Her newest listing? A "starter" outhouse with water... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0981574106
• ISBN13: 9780981574103
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Waking Dream Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Wild Romp, An Hilarious Read

I never realized how funny the real estate sales profession could be! Erica Ferencik's wildly funny and semi-tragic tear through one suburban realtor's worst (and zaniest) nightmare is a great read and a telling parody about modern life as only a madwoman could live it. There's a moment when Ginger Kanadoo's ever-mounting self-destructive episodes build to a point where you think "there can't be anymore; not another screw-up to add to the mix", but then, of course, she's out in a boat being shot at, or stealing bananas off the back of a supermarket loading dock. If you like to laugh, turn off the TV and pick up "Cracks In The Foundation"!

A breezy satire, wrapped in a farce, surrounded by a comedy.

Erica Ferencik has written a truly funny book, and that is not easy to do. So many comic novels end up being clever conceits that are stretched beyond their funny points to make a whole novel. Not so here. Her main character, Ginger Kanadoo is such an irrepressible force of nature that you can't help but love her, like a puppy who keeps knocking things over and tracking mud all over on her way to bring you the paper she's fetched for you. Ginger has a kind of manic buoyancy that makes you want to see her pull of more and more ridiculous exploits in pursuit of the next sale, or the next listing, or, better, yet, in pursuit of the next glass of white zin. Ferencik is able to sustain a high level of humor throughout accomplishing a marvelous enmeshing of satire and farce- not an easy task. She keeps the laughs coming, often out-load throaty ones, but underneath manages to deliver a critique of a certain kind of consumerist culture and its knock-on effects on the notions of home, family and work. It's a delightful confection with a more satisfying finish than the average comic novel

Rip-Roaring Laughter

From the opening line, "Jim Steele, photojournalist from The Squamskootnocket Bugle, wiped the sweat from his forehead, then fluttered a hand through his clammy comb-over..." I knew I was in for a rip-roaring ride. Erica Ferencik did not disappoint...she is one very funny writer! -- Rita Schiano, author of "Painting the Invisible Man" and "Sweet Bitter Love"

Your funny bone needs this book.

The only prerequisite for reading "Cracks" is a sense of humor. Besides laughing out loud and irritating the surrounding company you will be presented for many a philosophical truth. As Maxie says, "Keep your sh-t together. You win a few, you lose a few." Ain't it the truth!? What's the fuss about Ginger? The true heroine of this story is old Auntie Maxie. This stoic 93 year old maiden carries the book to higher levels. Topics ranging from the soil under our feet to human demise are elucidated from a totally slanted angel with an eloquence firing the reader joyously from one page to the next. Buy it, read it. You too will cry out for more.

Crazy in New York State

Every so often it's necessary for any reader to hunker down and devour a really insane book, and this is right at the top of the list! It's peopled with a motley crew of loonies, including the heroine realtor, her wiccan daughter, her 90some year old aunt who's also a realtor, and her mother (Big Alice) who's in a nursing home and spends her time speeding off to bingo games in her wheelchair. The plot initially revolves around Ginger Kanadoo's attempt to sell an outhouse (albeit an historic one), and there are wiccan rituals, a tour of a haunted house, and a Ouija board. The story just goes from one absurdity to another, and I found myself laughing out loud, much to the annoyance of my wife. If you need something well-written but goofy to cheer up a bad day, I highly recommend this book!