This is British author Susie Boyt’s seventh novel and the first published in the US. It’s exquisite.
While I love many genres, there is probably nothing I love more than contemporary literature—really gorgeous, high-quality fiction writing that pulses with life—perhaps because truly sublime, literate writing is so rare and so precious.
Authors accomplish this in many different ways, from the calmly understated to the impossibly wild (I’m thinking of Kevin Wilson’s third novel, There’s Nothing to See Here, in which kids spontaneously combust when angry or upset—also fabulous if you’ve not read that!).
Discovering a deeply affecting original new voice thrills me down to my toes. Thus, with Susie Boyt.
Ruth’s adult daughter Eleanor, whom she loves dearly and who is addicted to drugs, has a baby. Ruth does her best to provide support but sees it’s insufficient; she literally sees her granddaughter Lily’s needs not being met. When someone dies of an overdose in Eleanor’s apartment, she hands Eleanor an envelope stuffed with cash and takes Lily home. She basically kidnaps her, completely changing her own life and Lily’s. (We’re not really sure Eleanor notices.)
Ruth, Ruth’s friends, Lily, Eleanor, and we, the readers, have no idea how this is going to turn out. Simply, Ruth’s heart has moved her to take an action that seems right, if not legal. Is her relationship with Eleanor damaged, lost forever? Will Lily be saved or harmed by this rash albeit loving decision?
That’s the thing about life. We can’t really see ahead. We humans do our best to muddle through, in this case, the mucky waters of addiction. In this light, I’m deeply impressed that Ruth found a place to take a stand and act so decisively on it.
The publisher, New York Review Books, calls it “a pitch-perfect work of art.” This is what I’m talking about. THAT good.
Lastly, it was originally published in paperback, and is a beautiful book in hand. The cover painting is really arresting, the pages (208, not long) are a lovely textured, cream-colored stock. It would make a nice gift for an avid reader.
Very special.
Friends, here are links to purchase this book if you wish!
Note: These are affiliate links; meaning your price is the same, but I earn a small amount. And thank you for your support!
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