Dale Loves Sophie To Death by Robb Forman Dew

I was 17 when I first tried to read this book, and none of it stuck to me.  I didn’t understand the protagonist’s need to spend time in her small home town when it obviously made her sick, or her need to reconcile with a father who was distant and trying; I hated the husband for his disloyalty; I blamed them both for all of their failings and failures, and I saw no reason for those two people to be married. 

Oh, what a difference over a decade makes.  With some experience, and age, I get it now.  I know why people go to home instead of away from it.  I know what it feels like to suddenly remember you’re not still a teenager, and that your adult choices are yours even if they’re not all perfect.  I have watched how a hyper-critical group of outsiders can tear women apart for each and every decision they make as parents and wives and daughters.  Some books really do make more sense to adults, and this is one of them. 

Dew has a very light hand with her prose, which I particularly appreciate.  I wish I had one, or that I could maintain that skill for more than a page at a time.  And she remembers to love her characters even when they’re wrong or lazy or average.  I hope I can be a tenth the writer she is one day. 

Trackback URI | Comments RSS