Under the Influence
Fiction
William Morrow
February 9, 2016
Hardcover
288
Own copy
The New York Times bestselling author of Labor Day and After Her returns with a poignant story about the true meaning—and the true price—of friendship. Alcohol cost Helen her marriage and custody of David, her seven-year-old son. Though she once had aspirations to be an art photographer, she makes ends meet taking pictures of grade-school children and working society parties for a catering company. Recovering from her addiction, she spends her evenings checking out profiles on an online dating site; weekends, she has awkward visits with her son, but he seems to be drifting away from her, fast. When she meets Ava and Swift Havilland, the vulnerable Helen is instantly enchanted. Wealthy, connected philanthropists, they have their own charity devoted to the care and welfare of dogs. Their home is filled with glamorous friends, edgy art, and fabulous parties. As Helen increasingly falls under the Havillands’ influence—running errands, doing random chores, cataloguing Ava’s art collection—Ava and Swift hire a good lawyer to help her regain custody of her son. But the debt Helen owes them is about to come due. David witnesses an accident involving Swift, his grown son, Cooper, and the daughter of the Havillands’ Guatemalan housekeeper. With David’s future in the balance, Helen must choose between the truth and the friends who have given her everything.
My review:
This book starts out in the present, and then heads back to reveal the backstory behind the awkward sighting of a woman from the main character's past. The best part of this book, and what kept me turning pages, was the sense of impending doom. You knew that something was just not right, but couldn't put your finger on it. The main character Helen was an interesting one. It was obvious that she was so downtrodden that she overlooked some mighty red flags with Ava's friendship. At times I felt sorry for her, at others I was annoyed that she could be so trusting. I thought the author really convinced the reader why Helen took the paths she did. The sense of mystery surrounding The Havillands was skillfully done, and the young boy Oliver was well drawn as the child of a non-conventional broken home.
This was a great book if you love that sense of dread that is ever present until the climactic ending. Lovely characterization of how much we are willing to let slide when in need of a friend.
Hmm sounds interesting, now I would love to know how it all ends. I am not sure if I would warm to Helen, but I would be hoping she sees through the 'being used' in a friendship eventually.
Helen is a character that grows on you, although you still want to shake some sense into her at times 🙂
I think I might be one of the only readers out there who hasn't read Joyce Maynard. I've seen this book hyped a lot, so I'm glad it worked for you. When I decide to read this author, I think this one will be my choice of her work.
I haven't read loads of her work, but the two or three books I have read have been enjoyable. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them, although I'm sure some may be better than others.