Hruby, Andes 1969(?)–

PERSONAL: Born c. 1969; married; children. Education: Graduated from Columbia University, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Dutton Publicity, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014.

CAREER: Writer. Has also worked as a school teacher, yoga instructor, bartender, chambermaid, and professional closet cleaner.

AWARDS, HONORS: First prize, Writer's Digest Writing Competition, 1999, for "Ruby."

WRITINGS:

The Trouble with Catherine (novel), Dutton (New York, NY), 2002.

SIDELIGHTS: Andes Hruby sampled a number of blue-collar jobs before deciding that she wanted to be a writer. Winning the Writer's Digest writing competition in 1999 for her short story "Ruby" gave her the added confidence to write her first novel, The Trouble with Catherine.

Described as contemporary women's fiction, The Trouble with Catherine introduces a fish seller who is troubled by her engagement to a demanding lawyer. Although she wants to get married (her other friends are married), Catherine weighs her options and frustrations over her engagement. Reviewers mostly praised the novel. A critic for Publishers Weekly commented that "readers will relish Catherine's rough and ready banter and her no-nonesense attitude." Beth Gibbs, writing in Library Journal, enjoyed the cast of characters and fish-market setting, but felt that the story is "somewhat dull and predictable." On the other hand, AllReaders.com reviewer Harriet Klausner noted that Catherine is not a "fluffy frump, but instead is a strong [and] delightful lead protagonist." Booklist contributor Kristine Huntley agreed, writing that "The Trouble with Catherine will appeal to those looking for a tough, intelligent heroine."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, January, 2002, Kristine Huntley, review of The Trouble with Catherine, p. 810.

Glamour, April, 2002, review of The Trouble with Catherine, p. 146.

Hudson Review, autumn, 2002, Thomas Filbin, review of The Trouble with Catherine.

Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2002, review of The Trouble with Catherine, p. 10.

Library Journal, November 15, 2001, Beth Gibbs, review of The Trouble with Catherine, p. 97.

Los Angeles Times, April 14, 2002, Mark Rozzo, review of The Trouble with Catherine, p. R18.

Publishers Weekly, January 7, 2002, review of The Trouble with Catherine, p. 47.

Writer's Digest, March, 2002, Jerry Jackson, Jr., "Pushing the Line and Reaping the Reward," author profile.

ONLINE

AllReaders.com, http://www.allreaders.com/ (December 15, 2005), Harriet Klausner, review of The Trouble with Catherine.