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In Speaking of Dinners, Mary Alice Ramsey presents the story of a mistreated woman who
finally resists and gains strength. Annie’s journey is as hesitant and clumsy as it is
honest and brave, and humor proves to be one of her most powerful tools for survival. Themes
of body image and self-respect are woven throughout the novel, touching on illness, aging,
friendship, femininity, love, faith, and confidence. Aunt Pearl, who playfully refers to
breasts as “dinners,” infuses the story with irreverence, wit, wisdom, and warmth, while
profound narratives of faith and mortality resonate, making this a deeply moving and
universally affirming story. Ultimately, this is a tale of Annie’s vulnerability and growth,
wounds and laughter, and of spoken words that empower the recovery of both her self-esteem
and her voice.