June Flaum Singer: A Critical Analysis

June Flaum Singer is an American author of romance novels that is best known for tackling taboo topics in her novels. Flaum Singer debuted into literary fiction with the publishing of Debutantes in 1982. The novel was a popular and unconventional novel at the time that it instantly went to the top of the bestseller lists of that year. Between 1982 and 1993 she wrote nine more works; seven in fiction and two nonfiction works about house decorating and money management. June is the daughter to Mayer Flaum a painter from Beverly Hills California. Perhaps given that her father was a painter she got interested in men that loved paint and got married to Joseph Singer also a painter. Together the two had four children Valerie, IJ, Brett, and Sharon

She does not shy away from taboo topics such as incest, loveless marriages and family politics. She poses some of the most difficult questions that some women may have to deal with in marriage and love lives. In one of the novels, her lead is forced into a loveless marriage with one of California’s most powerful politician who will not be divorced. He is threatening to take away her children if she insisted on ending the marriage. While most of the novels are set in the 80s and very early 90s, they still pose the same questions about women and how they can lose it all in an instant. For instance, a woman’s career could be ended with the release of an art film just as a blue film would likely kill a big Hollywood film star’s career in today’s world. June Flaum never does offer answers but just described her characters and situations leaving the reader to make their own

The novel is set in World War II where Francesca and Carlotta Collings two sisters have run into Bill Sheridan. Frankie immediately falls for Bill though he only has eyes for the reckless and sultry Carlotta. Carlotta does not feel the same way and instead elopes with a gangster. Meanwhile Judith Tyler Stanton who is Carlotta’s niece also falls for Bill and using her political connections to help Bill, makes him sleep with her, albeit begrudgingly. Carlotta dies in a freak accident in 1962 and Bill who is presidential aspirant after serving as Florida governor now marries Frankie. Despite the façade of all is well things are set to become chaotic with incest on the cards. Judith’s son Rudyard, who is fathered by Bill falls for D’arcy Sheridan. Carlotta’s younger daughter Jade is planning to avenge her mother’s death, Judith now left a widow is creating new enemies with her vengeful and calculating plots. It is an excellent narrative of emotional interrelationships and complex familial wrangles that make for a great evening