Joy Harkness has been running from relationships all of her life. When her husband’s goals weren’t compatible with what she had in mind, she left him to pursue a life in the teaching track at Columbia University, and after several years of an unsatisfactory life, holding few personal connections Joy decides to take a position at Amherst College, where she will be under the tutelage of a brilliant professor who is trying to innovate learning and teaching. She impulsively buys a house that seems to be on the brink of imploding, and one of her colleagues, and indeed everyone in town, insists that only Teddy can possibly help her restore her house to habitability much less glory. Joy and Teddy get off to a tension filled start, but soon Joy’s life takes on multi-faceted turns the more deeply she connects with Teddy, her new community and her house.
This was one of those books that was almost handcrafted for me. Joy is a smart character with a keen interest in literature and I love the passages where she talks about books she’s read and her analysis of them, which sometimes relates back to her life. There is also a strong foray into the workings of academia, and I enjoyed being ensconced in that world from a perspective other than a student. Joy relocates to a college town that I am very familiar with, and it was great fun to revisit all the old haunts as she branches out and gets to know all the haunts and starts to set down roots in a way that she has never known before.
Meier’s writing is lush, but also clear and thoughtful. There were these very astute observations and reflections on life that made me laugh, and had me shaking my head at their truthfulness. Her characters, especially Joy, are flawed and wonderful all at the same time – much, like real people. Joy has led a very insular life and the tension of the book comes as she reflects on how little she has been present in her own life, and is challenged to give more of herself by the close-knit community of people in her new life who essentially force her out of her shell.
Meier’s characters have strong voices and identities, and I was often on the edge of my seat as I tried to work out how choices would affect them, particularly Joy, and if she would in some cases see the light. The story started to meander a bit when Joy becomes enmeshed in the lives of others and the fact that she has to change becomes too much of a forced issue. Meier refocuses beautifully at the end of this wonderful novel as Joyce comes into her own. Meier’s smart writing, balanced portrayal of smart women with different lifestyles, and ability to relate the small truths of ordinary life have put her on my list of debut authors whose work I definitely want to see again.
Recommended.
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Book Information: The Season of Second Chances, by Diane Meier
Publisher, Publication Date & Other Info: Henry Holt & Co. – March 30, 2010 – Hardcover – 304 pages
Author Website/Other Links and Resources: Diane Meier
Source: Review Copy Sent By The Publisher
Read More Reviews At: A Garden Carried in the Pocket – She Is Too Fond of Books – Bibliophile By the Sea – S. Krishna’s Books – Books in the City
Other reviews and posts:
I liked this one a lot as well Nicole; thanks for sharing your thoughts with us
diane´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon ~ June 6, 2010
I’ve been wanting to read this novel because of some of the other reviews I’ve read, and so much of what you said sounds like I would really enjoy it– from the college town setting to the literary references to the intelligent woman lead.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking: Review and Giveaway of SOS! by Aviva Goldfarb
This does sound like a really interesting book, especially the literary reference part
Amy´s last [type] ..Review: Gentlemen by Michael Northrop
I enjoyed this one as well. Great review!
S. Krishna´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Lost Girls – Jennifer Baggett, Holly Corbett & Amanda Pressner
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, too!
jenclair´s last [type] ..fairy tales
great review! I am glad you liked it too – I will definitely be looking for the author’s next book!
Colleen (Books in the City)´s last [type] ..Review: Somewhere Inside by Laura and Lisa Ling
Sounds like a book to get lost in. I can’t wait to read it!
I’m *still* reading this one. I really enjoy it, but I’m just reading so darn slowly. I can’t wait to finish it so I have more to add to the conversation. lol
Andi´s last [type] ..Eating My Way Through Reading
Great review. It sounds really interesting!
Rebecca´s last [type] ..What books did you think you’d love but ended up hating?
I heard her speak at the Empire State Book Festival and really enjoyed her. I hope to read it soon!
nomadreader´s last [type] ..book review: Based Upon Availability by Alix Strauss
I just recently added this to my wish list. It’s good to see a glowing review
Thanks for linking to my review, Nicole. I’ll have to read a different piece by Diane Meier; you liked this book more than I did (I was frustrated that the intelligent protagonist made some rather unintelligent choices, and felt she saw herself as better/smarter than others. I don’t think I’d like her as a friend!).
I do appreciate Meier’s background, though; I can’t put my finger on exactly why this book didn’t ‘wow’ me. Maybe we should have a Skype call and discuss it …..
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking- more basil than you can shake a stick at-