THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IS CRACKING UP: A Guide to Loving, Leaving, and Living Again

In a disjointed, slapdash flow of felt impressions, the columnist-authors of this divorce-guide pen what one might have called the impossible--a book written almost entirely in the second person. ""You"" are constantly involved in the m‚lange: ""When you first began living without a man in the house, it was you who assumed the role of guardian at the gate."" Or: ""You'll remember the moment you met the man with the sparkling smile. . . ."" Only trouble is, all that you-ing can get down-fight presumptuous and irritating. Curran and Wetton are not without their own personal Erma-Bombeck-as-a-divorcee perspective, and sometimes the peanut-butter sandwiches on the floor manage to be funny, even though the only new ingredient is that Mom is single. There are some serious tips about being honest with the kids (they'll know anyway), hurling yourself right back into the dating game, and insisting on child support (whether the absent parent is male or female). But the tough-girl bravado often sounds forced, and quips about achieving an hour of peace by flattening the kids' bicycle tires (so that they have to trundle off to the service station) won't convince readers that Mom's really got a handle on things.