First published 1988
Elizabeth Mavor's 1988 novel follows its central character through a web of personal relationships and self-discovery. The protagonist navigates the complexities of connection and isolation in contemporary life. Mavor builds tension through the character's struggle to understand their place among family, friends, and lovers. The story examines how people construct meaning from the fragments of their experiences. Each relationship reveals new facets of identity while challenging assumptions about loyalty and independence. The narrative moves between moments of clarity and confusion as the protagonist weighs competing desires and obligations. Mavor crafts scenes that illuminate the gap between what people say and what they feel. The novel explores themes of solitude and companionship without easy resolution.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, contemporary, 21st-century, contemporary-romance, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, introspective, slice-of-life
Period: Contemporary
Hardcover · Arrow (A Division of Random House Group)