Spinning a Yarn
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This is, I suppose, "young adult"; but who cares? It is a humorous fantasy and can be appreciated by anyone who has taken "temporary employment" while school or college is "out" - or for that matter while waiting for a "full-time job". The humour is generated by juxtapositioning conflicting ideas - much in the way that Thorne Smith did. However this novel does not include any of the sexual innuendo for which the writing of Thorne Smith was noted.
Ilana seeks summer work as a "temp" through D.R.Temps, and is directed to Tabby Fabricant Textiles, where she discovers that her three prospective employers are somewhat unusual. One weaves, one measures, and the third has a large pair of scissors. Yes, the Fates. They are busy-busy, and apt to leave Ilana on her own as soon has she has learned the rudiments of any work she has to do. Then there is another occupant of the premises, Arachne; the weaver who was cursed by Athena into the form of a spider. Still in spider form, she can at least show a human head and carry on a conversation, and is befriended by Ilana. Outside the workspace things are complicated by Dyllin, her sister, who is almost exclusively preparing for her soon-to-happen wedding. Things get a bit entangled after Ilana tries to use the information/powers that go with her employment to improve affairs for her sister, and for a friend, and slowly the situation builds to a climax that co-incides with Dyllin's wedding. You will have to watch out for little "gags" as well as the large broad scenes of humour. It took me several seconds before the name "Porlock's Landing" clicked, for example. And I am still not sure about the lemurs. Have I missed a joke?
Add that a few other characters with supernatural powers get involved as the wedding approaches and chaos looks to climax. Which, of course, is the whole of the "temp" scene - keeping chaos at bay with "temps".
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