“A Wolff in the Family is immediately immersive, and readers will be drawn into the hardships and small joys of the Wolff family. Falk-Allen’s vivid prose and realistic characters tell an intriguing story about social norms, gender roles, and ultimately, love. Fast and absorbing, it will keep you up long into the night.”
“Heartbreaking at its core, A Wolff in the Family takes the bones of a long-hidden family secret and fleshes it out to include a large cast of characters who come alive on the page. Kudos to Falk-Allen for taking this project on, making it both compelling and relatable, and shedding light into dark corners of family history. A bold and important read.”
“Writing a novel based on a family story requires an author to choreograph what is known and what must be surmised into a compelling narrative. Francine Falk-Allen has skillfully accomplished this saga-to-novel rebirth in A Wolff in the Family. The hard-scrabble life, children and marriage of Naomi Wolff vividly recall a world of societal rules, privation, race and class restrictions, and the human spirit that can prevail over all of them. Another great read from this author!”
About Me
I had polio in 1951 at age three, was hospitalized for six months, and lived most of my life as a handicapped person trying to be a “normie.” I reside in Marin County with my husband, Richard Falk. I now spend a good deal of time managing our home and garden, and a significant amount managing the effects of post-polio. And I write.
“Overall, this is a frank, no-nonsense account of living with a disability, edged with a razor-sharp wit… Bold, charming and inspirational.”
“With plainspoken eloquence, Francine Falk-Allen brings to life the rich palette of emotions of her lifelong battles with polio—the sorrows and joys, the heartbreaks and triumphs. Her book is funny, inspiring, and bitingly honest. It’s a revealing, constantly surprising story that shines a new light on the eternal human question: how can we make the most of our lives?”
“After thirty-five-plus years in publishing, this is the best personal manuscript I have ever encountered. [Falk-Allen has] a muscular style like Dave Eggers. [She has] made early childhood as compelling as Robert Louis Stevenson did. A strong, distinctive voice, coupled with an important story to tell.”
“Pull out your travel pants and let Francine take you on a globe-trotting tour of her favorite destinations and the best ways to navigate them, especially… [with a] handicap. After her travel section, she shares her resilient experience finding incredible resources and tools to maximize quality of life with a winning attitude. Highly readable and very informative.”
“No Spring Chicken manages to be inspiring, heartwarming and informational all at once, with a charming irreverence that makes it a delightful read. With compassion, humor and just the right amount of sass, Francine Falk-Allen encourages us all to explore, be kind to ourselves, ask for what we need, and have some fun.”
“Francine Falk-Allen has packed No Spring Chicken with useful information, inspiring personal stories, and laugh-out-loud moments. Whether you’re facing physical challenges of aging or a disability at any time, you’ll find many practical tips for making daily life and traveling to virtually any place in the world easier. I’m glad to have this resource to recommend to my therapy clients and others.”