We had run out of small talk. The old rowboat held us up, kept us dry, soothed and dissolved, in its slow revolutions, Tess's fear of the water and my misgivings ...
So begins
One Who Loves
, a novel about the extraordinary conflicts that impinge on seemingly ordinary lives. Liz--passionate but reserved--takes us on her journey as she grapples with crises of love, loyalty, and the inexorable pull of sexual attraction.
Liz and Patrick. Tess and Jon. They meet at a University of Michigan co-op and quickly form a quartet "
prickly with emotion, a zesty compote of lust, jealousy, and friendship
." Their relationship endures over the years--often strained by Liz's desire for Jon, as well as Tess's willful exploits and free-spirited lifestyle.
How does it feel to love a man who belongs to another--and that 'other' your closest friend? Where does loyalty end and self-interest begin? What do you do when you are asked, in the name of friendship, to tamper with life and death?
is a thoughtful, and thought-provoking, exploration of friendship, love, and compassion.