Book Review: Somebody Else's Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage - Page 2

And move it does. This literary novel is a page turner, absolutely unputdownable. From the first page to the unfortunately flawed ending, the reader is torn between slowing down to appreciate Brundage’s amazing way with words and pushing along more and more quickly to see who is doing what to whom and what will come of it. Quite a feat.

Brundage also has the intelligence to throw some excellent plot twists our way: relationships that we don’t expect, revelations that seem almost too awful, and a stunning character in Pearl, a Polish refugee turned prostitute who serves as foil to the rich and educated town residents. Just when we are sure we know where things are going, we’re wrong, although certain twists do telegraph themselves if we pay close enough attention.

The characters are all real and flawed, interesting and sometimes despicable, complicated and tragic. Brundage has managed to do the very difficult: write a cool and stunning literary page turner.

Yet, as we barrel toward the end, turning pages ever more quickly, the end jumps up and hits us in the face: too fast, too cool, too easy. Brundage, unfortunately, opts to go for a happy ending that can’t help but disappoint - even as each character clearly gets what he or she deserves. Happy ending as cautionary tale? Perhaps. But it is the only real flaw in an otherwise flawless novel. A description of being at Dunkin’ Donuts at three a.m. goes “There is nothing better than this. The heavy white cup in your hand,” I might amend that to there is nothing better than this: the heavy hardcover of a superb novel in your hand.

Article Author: Lisa Solod Warren

Short story writer and essayist Lisa Solod Warren has been published in a wide variety of literary journals, magazines, newspapers, and anthologies. She is the editor of Desire: Women Write About Wanting (Seal Press, 2007). She blogs at opensalon.com and redroom.com. …

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