Writers & Lovers by Lily King: book review
Overview: Casey is back in Massachusetts after moving seventeen times. She did an MFA, moved to Spain for a while. But after her mother's death, she became even more adrift, settling back in Boston for lack of a better idea. Casey is a writer, but she's been working on her novel for six years. To make money, she's a waitress at Iris and walks her landlord's dog for money off the rent. While most of her writer friends have abandoned the quest, she still has one friend that hooks her into the Boston literary scene. Over the course of the novel, Casey thinks about past relationships, falls into new one, and works on her book. Overall: 4.5
Characters: 5 I love Casey. She's funny and sarcastic and cynical but ultimately the epitome of hope because she persists as a writer even when it's incredibly hard. All of the other characters that populate the book are fully realized and multi-dimensional. Unfolding the characters is the joy of the novel, so I won't say too much.
Plot: 5 This isn't a plot driven book, but Casey still goes through ups and downs at the restaurant, she finds herself in a confusing love triangle, and there's the journey of her novel's completion and attempted sale. Beyond that, there are emotional drivers like her grief journey after her mother's surprising death and her potential health scares that loom over her head. There are so many delightful, interesting scenes that are fun in and of themselves, and then they link together to form a spectacular portrait of Casey's world trying to be a writer in the late nineties.
Writing: 5 I sunk into King's writing so easily. She writes first person spectacularly well, and the short chapters make this a fast read. I finished the book in two days, mostly in two long sittings. This was the book I needed to read right now, a reminder that there is a light at the end of the tunnel to dedicating your life to your craft. And also that it's okay to wander for a while not knowing where you belong. I will say I'd put off reading the book for a while because I struggle with themes of health scares and dead mothers, but the way it's handled in this book didn't happen to trigger any of my usual anxieties and was actually somewhat therapeutic. I think I'm having a hard time discussing this book because I did become so attached to it and had such a personal experience with it.
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