Judith Rossner (1935–2005)

That was a shocker for which the 'innocent-looking' grey covers and beautiful binding of this Persephone edition did not prepare me! I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time, but the feeling I'm left with, mostly, is anger. Anger at a system which--historically, at least--punishes women for their sexuality and their ability to bear children. (Well, let's be honest . . . not just historically but still to this day).

Two women: Dawn Henley is a patient with obsessive tendencies, latching onto daddy types as lovers. Her mother committed suicide when Dawn was only six months old. Her father drowned soon thereafter. She was raised by Vera and Tony, a lesbian couple. Do any of these early tragedies have anything to do with her current neurotic behavior of dependency? Like any person raised without really knowing their birth parents, Dawn is on a journey to find herself. Her identity is tied to people she show more doesn't remember.
Lulu is Dawn's therapist. The telling of her side of the story mostly happens in August, when she is on vacation and away from being a therapist. While on holiday, she can be a mother to two young sons and try to rebuild a relationship with her estranged adult daughter, who resurfaces after seven years. Lulu is also trying to justify a romantic relationship with a married man. She knows it isn't right, but she can't help herself. Lulu's character reminded me of Brenda Leigh Johnson, the main character on the television show, The Closer. Brenda's professional life hid a very chaotic personal life. Both women are great at their jobs, but behind the scenes, they were a mess. show less

sad and disturbing. This book really made me think. What was it that led Theresa to make such poor choices in men? Several times she feels fearful of the men she is with but then feels sexual arousal. Why does James' clean cut persona cause her to feel disdain ... even revulsion? She feels empowered by the freedom to sleep with men she picks up for one night stands, yet these lead to loneliness and more self destructive choices. In the end it wasn't her promiscuity which led to her demise show more but her unexplainable attraction to dangerous men that did. She ignored warning signs that some of the men she brought home could harm her. This book has many interesting layers to it, and is thought provoking. It would make a great choice for a woman's book club... even 40 years after publication. show less

Sexy but depressing account of a lonely NYC teacher who frequents local bars and takes home men she doesn't know, which eventually leads to her grisly murder. The book isn't a mystery, though. It's all about Theresa Dunn and why she does what she does. I've read Rossner based this novel on the true story of Rosanna Quinn, who really was a NYC teacher, and was murdered by a man she took home from a bar. Some of Theresa's thoughts and feelings in this book hit a little too close to home, and I show more found myself haunted by Theresa for a few days after finishing it. show less