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September 26-October 2, 2002 artpicks Jennifer WeinerJennifer Weiner, the former Gen X voice of the Inquirer turned New York Times best-selling author has done it again: another feel-good fractured fairytale sure to strike a nerve with modern women. Her latest novel, In Her Shoes (Atria), follows the trials and tribulations of two sisters, last name Feller. They clash awfully, one point of contention being that vampy Maggie is always stealing responsible Rose's sexy shoes. The shoes fit both perfectly, but nothing else in their lives does. Their mother has died, and they have a not-so-nice stepmother as an unfair substitute. Somewhere off in Florida is their sweet, caring grandmother, who misses her two grandchildren and yearns to connect with them again. Sounding at all familiar? Well, it is and it isn't. Yes, there's plenty of Prada slippers and Via Spiga pointy boots, but there's no pumpkin coach. Princes, as anyone knows, come a little more flawed today than in the days of the Brothers Grimm. And Rose and Maggie don't exactly team up to become a composite Cinderella. There's far too much angst to work out first. Rose, a Philadelphia lawyer, is continually betrayed by Maggie, a.k.a. "Little Miss Hot Pants," so any happy ending must be dearly earned. Weiner's easy, intimate, conversational style lets readers bond instantly with her characters. If I had one wish, it would be that Jen Weiner's literary success continues on, happily ever after. Jennifer Weiner will read and sign, Thu., Sept. 26, 7 p.m., Borders, 1727 Walnut St., 215-568-7400. 
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