The plot of this novel turns around a woman, the agitated Eva Morelli, with troubling family events in her past, her earlier relationships with her family members, and other relationships in her life. The second important person in the story is Stephen Forester, the psychiatrist, who is treating Eva Morelli, Forester's family members. Forester's wife Brea is the third character whose input moves the plot seriously, at times.

The story explores the feelings of shame, guilt, love, and grief. Also, the setting of a bar where Eva’s father played the piano holds the central focus of the plot.

Since I like atmospheric, psychological-enigma novels, I enjoyed reading this book until the end, but the end I found disappointing for I saw no reason for Eva Morelli to make someone feel bad about his dead parent, no matter how bad that parent was to other people. 'Just what did she accomplish by that' is the question the story left in my mind.

The writing and the storytelling are perfect and the story flows well in spite of the expected choppiness in Eva Morelli’s recall. Characterization, in general, is good with emphasis on characters’ quirks, gestures, and thoughts that usually hint at or veil something else.

Then, the references to the works of art and the trips to the museums in different places add a colorful touch to the novel.

the sessions with the psychiatrist, how the doctor and the patient didn't connect.

What the main character did at the end.

is Maryann D'Agincourt, the author of Glimpses of Gauguin and Printz.

Well, it isn't bad, but if you like more action, drama within logic, and not so much flimsy psychology, read at your own risk.

I don’t see what made this book to become a National-Book Award-nominated novel. I liked it somewhat, but with all the better books in the market nowadays, they nominated this one? It blows my mind.

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Created Feb 07, 2018 at 5:41pm • Submit your own review...