The Enchantment of Lily Dahl by Siri Hustvedt is much like its main character: quaint, charming, mysterious and, well, enchanting. It was my first book by Hustvedt but certainly won’t be my last. Her writing has left a mark on me as a reader.

Lily was a 19-year waitress/wanna-be actress in small-town Minnesota. Attractive and graceful, she was a favorite among many men, including her neighbor-turned-lover Ed and Martin, a childhood friend who was obsessed with Lily. Lily was cast to play Hermia in the local theater’s production of Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Martin was also in the play, which placed them in many scenes together. As the story unraveled, we learned that Martin’s interest in Lily was beyond a childhood crush – and he was obsessed with the dead. Certainly, the combination of the two was a creepy one.

Part love story, part mystery, The Enchantment of Lily Dahl was aloof, mysterious and intense. With every page, I was sucked into the lives of Lily and her acquaintances. While the main character was gripping, the entire story, including the subplots, was engaging. The ending was startling and unsettling but somehow appropriate for this story about obsession and small-town life. I look forward to reading more books by this talented author. ( )