Lisa Taddeo’s writing is always so smart. Her nonfiction book ‘Three Women’ is no less than a powerhouse experience and should not be missed. Her latest book of fiction again examines the sexuality and desire of women, in the form of a collection of short stories. Although I was not quite as captivated with this book, it was nonetheless sarcastic, funny, tragic and enjoyable.
There is no big reveal or shocking conclusion to these stories, just a wry observation of the dynamics of modern relationships as well as female friendships (and female jealousies). The protagonists range from young to middle-aged. In one story (“Air Supply”), the narrator compares herself to her friend by saying, “Sara was—and still is—prettier than me, in a slutty 1990s kind of way.”
I think my favorite of the stories was “Beautiful People,” where lonely Jane has a fairy tale fling with a very famous and very handsome movie star. I didn’t expect it to end well but was hoping for a happy ending nevertheless. Despite having what Jane thought was genuine intimacy, the movie star ends up cheating her out of a fair price for a painting she owns. I was gutted.
The protagonist of the title story “Ghost Lover” created a new dating app after she suffered through a heartbreaking break-up. I also enjoyed this story and Taddeo’s sharp observations on dating and relationships.
The audiobook was narrated by a full cast of characters who were all outstanding. Lisa Taddeo remains one of my favorite authors and her books will always be auto-buys for me.
About the Book:
From Lisa Taddeo, #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of Three Women and “our most eloquent and faithful chronicler of human desire” (Esquire), Ghost Lover is an electrifying collection of fearless and ferocious short stories.
Behind anonymous screens, an army of cool and beautiful girls manage the dating service Ghost Lover, a forwarding system for text messages that promises to spare you the anguish of trying to stay composed while communicating with your crush. At a star-studded political fundraiser in a Los Angeles mansion, a trio of women compete to win the heart of the slick guest of honor. In a tense hospital waiting room, an inseparable pair of hard-partying friends crash into life’s responsibilities, but the magic of their glory days comes alive again at the moment they least expect it.
In these nine riveting stories—which include two Pushcart Prize winners and a finalist for the National Magazine Award—Lisa Taddeo brings to life the fever of obsession, the blindness of love, and the mania of grief. Featuring Taddeo’s arresting prose that continues to thrill her legions of fans, Ghost Lover dares you to look away.
