“Kushner is a young master. I honestly don’t know how she is able to know so much and convey all of this in such a completely entertaining and mesmerizing way.”
NO MAJOR SPOILERS
This is the story of Romy Hall, 29 years old and will be spending the rest of her life in prison for murder.
Her story is told in current time and flashbacks.
It begins with her on the way to Stanville Prison, riding the prison bus and as she rides she describes the woman around her, including a man who now because of self mutilation is a woman. You already feel the hopelessness of her situation. She has been separated from her 9 year old son, Jackson, and she has no idea what has become of him once she is transferred to Stanville.
In flashback we learn about her life, her relationships, and the job she has at The Mars Room, a seedy bar with exotic dancers. It is here she will meet the man who will stalk her, until Romy finally resolves the issue in the only way she knows how.
We will also learn about some of the lives of the other characters, and we will hear prison stories, one in particular which is taken from recent headlines.
The authors first two novels were listed for the National Book Award and her new book, very well written and plotted is sure to be a contender this year also. Recommended.
Reviewed by:
Richard Franco
Added 25th June 2018
