Triangles

August 22, 2011
Teenage angst is all grown up—but no less fraught with sexual misadventure and gnawing insecurity—in Hopkins’s fearless first novel for adults written entirely in verse. For restless writer and mother-of-three Holly, her looming 40th birthday prompts increasingly risky sexual behavior (inspiration for her sizzling-hot erotica), even as her rebellious teenage daughter charges down her own dangerous sexual path. Meanwhile, Andrea, one divorce and one affair with a married man already under her belt, finds comfort with Holly’s husband after he discovers that Holly has been doing her erotica homework with another man. And while Andrea’s sister Marissa cares for her dying five-year-old daughter and her gay teenage son, her marriage crumbles under the weight of betrayal, anger, and guilt. Written in her signature poetic verse style, Hopkins (Crank) delivers a raw and riveting tale of love and forgiveness that will captivate readers.

March 1, 2012

Holly, Andrea, and Marissa--intertwined and separated by blood, friendship, children, and husbands--take turns narrating their lives during one pivotal year. Marissa's daughter slowly dies while a child forms in the womb of Holly's daughter. Holly searches for personal fulfillment that leads her to an unknown world of erotic affairs. Meanwhile, best friend Andrea begins an affair with Holly's devoted husband. Over the course of the year, each woman matures and learns more about her own goals and capabilities. Short, anonymous meditations between each chapter may provide insight (or annoy) the listener. VERDICT The paper-doll characters are too self-absorbed to be likable, and the story is too predictable. The verse format used in the print version is lost in the oral reading. The narrators--January LaVoy, Jan Maxwell, Janel Maloney, and Michele Pawk--give well-measured, seamless performances. Sadly, their attractive voices do not make the book absorbing. For large fiction collections only. ["For popular collections, because there will be an audience," read the review of the Atria: S. & S. hc, LJ 9/1/11; the pb, also by Atria, will publish in June 2012.--Ed.]--Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.