Marialyce 's Reviews > Friends and Strangers

How well do we really know another person? We could be married to them, be their best friend, or know them for countless years and yet there are always things, secret, things hidden that make them often a stranger to us.

Elizabeth and her husband have moved to a small town after living in the bright lights of New York City. Elizabeth having quit her job of being a writer, finds herself in a place where life seems to take a slower, backwards step and she feels adrift in the new climate she finds herself in. With a new baby plus a husband who goes to work, she sees herself as a woman whose life moved quickly to one where she struggles with what to do. She joins a book club, spends countless hours on the internet and finds herself caught in a pit of aimless banter. Aspiring to get herself back, she hires a young college student, Sam, to babysit and even though there is quite an age difference, Elizabeth finds herself becoming friends with Sam.

Sam is an achiever and on a trip to London meets a man, an older man, who seems to sweep her off her feet. They become serious and Sam seems to be caught up in a relationship that may cause grief for her boyfriend carries secrets as well as limited ambition. While back in the states, she forms an attachment to Elizabeth's father-in-law and the two of them pursue the hollow man theory. Of course, once again we see the differences in age playing an important part in Sam's growth.

As time continues, Elizabeth's fondness grows for Sam, and she is in a state of constant concern and worry over Sam's relationship with her boyfriend/fiance. Should she interfere or should she stay back? When the decision for Elizabeth comes, the whole relationship between she and Sam is shook and life takes a substantial turn for the both of them.

I so enjoyed this exploration into friendship and the background J. Courtney Sullivan gave us about her characters. It as a fine examination into both the ages of differences and that of knowing when to voice opinions and thoughts to others. It so well depicted the rut one sometimes falls into when no longer working, what life takes on a pace that one can't adapt to, and how voices and change how one thinks can also carry resentment. Friendship that is wanted so badly often brings with it the inability to see differences and the very causes of those differences. Somehow class takes on a very definite role when acquiring what one to thinks can be a friend. The author's characters are complex and their lives ones that beg for change and yet perhaps when it does come breeds resentment and ill feelings.

I recommend this story for its analysis into the minds and hearts of people who try too hard to be something they are ill equipped to be.

Jan and I loved this story for it gave to us so much to talk about. It was so in depth that we could have gone on talking about the characters, their motivations, and their eventual falling away. Definitely this is one we both heartily recommend, particularly excellent for book club discussions. We are always on the lookout for more of these type stories.