In Some Other World, Maybe

Anybody can write a book about four characters and their interactions over a twenty year period. But Shari Goldhagen, a new-to-me author, manages to create four beautifully flawed but sympathetic individuals who weave in and out of each others' lives in ways that are often coincidental but always moving. I knew I was hooked when one of the female characters was making decisions that would lead her to meet up with either one of the male characters or the other, and I felt like I was reading a suspense novel, the kind that keeps you turning pages while holding your breath and yelling at the characters “don't open that door!” The author emphasizes large and small decisions we make every day that can change our lives in innumerable ways, and reminds us that every choice we make in a relationship to hold back or let angry words stand between us can have devastating consequences. Highly recommended.

It would seem that I am one of the very few who is not enamored by this book. The premise drew me in because it is about a group of people my age, and for the premise alone I have awarded not one, but two, stars. Otherwise, I could not find much to enjoy about the writing style, the characters, or the plot.

For example, the author uses the second person point of view for a specific character, which, instead of being effective, seemed like a forced reminder that we were switching characters again. Ho hum. Telling a story from multiple points of view can be quite effective, but in this book it merely seems like an exercise for a creative writing class.

Also, it may be helpful for non-Chicagoans to know that Leona's is not the only eating establishment in Evanston; other similar references felt like an attempt to make those sections of the story feel Chicago-y, but reminded me of the annoying place dropping in “The Time Traveler's Wife.” Perhaps, if one is not familiar with the area, it is less annoying.

Frankly, the characters were boring. I had hoped to find at least some commonalities with one of the voices, as I did when recently watching “Hits So Hard” about the drummer from the band, Hole (and I am not a drummer or a lesbian, nor have I done heroin). Perhaps, that's because the author is trying too hard. Or at least that's what I took away from reading the book. I can say that it is a quick read, but cannot recommend it for any other reason.