CURTIS SITTENFELD -- THE MAN OF MY DREAMS

Hannah Gavener is without a doubt a Debbie Downer. Then again, most 14-year-olds are, especially teens of divorce. The star of Curtis Sittenfeld's second novel, painfully insecure Hannah spends most of the book's decade-and-a-half span wondering what life is like on the happier side, specifically in Hollywood power couples, while going to great lengths to avoid social interaction and her own familial issues. Meanwhile, she's secretly in pursuit of her better half. After her hotheaded father kicks her mother, sister and herself out of their Philadelphia home in the middle of the night, Hannah knows life is going to change. She will go through college and her own string of relationships. Bring into the mix her Marcia Brady-esque older sister and flighty über-flirt cousin, and all sorts of girly emotional drama ensues. Which is why Hannah sees a psychiatrist, but in true Hannah fashion: in secret. As for dating, she wants the one she can't have, drives away the one who wants her and knowingly goes into a relationship devoid of all respect. Sittenfeld's forte here is the articulation of what it's like to be a young woman in a broken family. Hannah's frank observations are what liken her character to that of Sittenfeld's first novel, Prep: Whether noting that it's girly, for example, seeing her dad drink Diet Coke or admitting to herself she admires her cousin's breasts. Yes, Lee Fiora and Hannah are kindred spirits, but Hannah doesn't fall as deeply into the depths of despair; she just coasts along on self-doubt and loathing everyone else's happiness. This is Man's only flaw. (Jessica Canterbury) Grade: B-