Book Review: Her: A Novel

Her by Harriet Lane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had to re-read the ending to “Her: A Novel” a few times because my brain would me to comprehend the ending of this book and I still refuse to believe that this book ended as it does. In “Her” by Harriet Lane we meet Nina and Emma; one a sophisticated artist with a teenage daughter, the other, a new mother and struggling as she comes to understand this new role. Nina recognizes Emma from her past and makes attempts to situate herself into Emma’s life until the two become friends. Once this happens, Emma exacts revenge on Nina for a long ago transgression.

The book moves slowly, each event told twice, from Emma and Nina’s points of view, but the seemingly slow pace is a thrilling build up of what’s to come. Emma is so starved for something outside of being a mother that she sees Nina as a lifeline and cannot or does not recognize the chaos that is coming her way. Nina is so angry and that her carefully plotted revenge seems to take over her life.

Lane never made me feel that I had to like one character over the other; there were times when I sympathized with both women in their roles as mom, wife, and, for Nina, child. Lane explores relationships with spouses, friends, what I think of when I think mom and that ending…was a lot to digest.

Honestly though, I feel like my words fail me as I muddle my way through sharing the book. Here is a review from the blog “Learn this Phrase” which I feel does justice for “Her” in a way I am unable.

http://learnthisphrase.blogspot.com/2…

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Below is the book trailer.

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