Lily King
Writers and Lovers by Lily King unfolds in the first-person narrative of Casey Peabody, an aspiring author who has been struggling to write a novel for six years. This is a coming-of-age story of a thirty-one-year-old finally finding her place in life.
Casey faces a lot of challenges. Still grieving over the sudden death of her mother, she works as a waitress, is burdened with student loans, and lives in a virtual hovel. She struggles daily with her writing, work, cramps, relationships, and a health scare. She is in survival mode as she goes through the motions of her daily routine while clinging to writing as a life jacket that will somehow rescue her from her emotional and financial crises. Having recently broken up with her boyfriend, Casey becomes involved with two very different men, unable to decide between the two. The novel ends on a happy note with things finally working out in Casey’s favor.
This is a light, easy read. The pace, which is very slow going in the first half, finally picks up. King’s portrayal of Casey’s introspection and life struggles feel contrived—as if she threw all possible challenges at her protagonist before allowing her to emerge as a resilient and empowered female with a strong voice. The novel has the feel of a made for television show—light, entertaining, but lacking in depth, and with a conclusion leaning heavily on the happily-ever-after fairy tale variety.