Hilarious, Witty, Bold, SensitiveWriter, producer, journalist, and lecturer, Jenny Pascall, in “Stefi” could well be telling her own story. “Stefi,” is narrated by, Sue Katz who meets Stefi after a gym workout, is drawn into a friendship and soon finds herself on a journey of self discovery, which takes her to Calcutta, and the Himalayas.The author has a unique gift for developing her characters. It is amazing to watch Sue, her
protagonist, become a total person. Paschall’s characters become lifelike, as the reader is allowed to
see them in caricature, their weaknesses, their excesses, and their individuality. Her mother, her peers, and friends all add to this zany story of romance, compassion, and self fulfillment.Stefi subtly influences Sue’s metamorphosis. Self centered and indecisive, Sue shows another side of her personality when faced with the suffering, the emotional, and the physical needs of the sick and dying young people in the shelters and hospitals of Mother Teresa in Calcutta. She becomes a person sensitive to the needs of others. A spiritual side of her inner being surfaces as Sue opens her heart to offer comfort and hope through giving herself in an effort to meet these needs.Paschal uses the healing power of laughter as she takes the reader on a roller coaster ride, one rollicking adventure after another. Poking fun at herself along the way Sue endears herself to the reader. Then without warning the reader is faced with the challenge of solving the problem of meeting human needs in third world countries.This is a great book to read on an airplane, to create stimulating conversation, and to pass along to a friend. The surprise ending is gratifying and leaves the reader waning to read more of Jenny Paschall.As reviewed for Midwest Book Reviews.