MacKenzie Scott

The story of four very different women whose paths intersect--briefly, but significantly--in ways that will transform each of their lives forever. Dana, a beautiful young security guard; Jessica, an Oscar-winning actress; Vivian, a 17-year-old prostitute; and Lynn, a recovering alcoholic all collide and have a chance at renewal. Summary BPL

Cinematic quality narrative of four women living lives tested by crucial moments of adversity. The back cover displays an endorsement of the author by show more Geraldine Brooks; the first I've come across. She writes that Ms Bezos "commands the most disciplined craftsmanship in pursuit of passionate artistic ends". Can't say more than that!

I've already posted the Shakespeare quotation "sweet are the uses of adversity" that introduces the novel. I have another favourite, although taking it out of context may deprive it of impact....

"I'm sure it will all work out in the end."

"How?"

"One thing will happen. And then another and another. And so on."

Readers of Ms Bezos' first novel, The Testing of Luther Albright, may be unprepared for the pared down, more direct text. Traps spells out the sweet uses of adversity, intentionally I am sure.

While I couldn't relate to all the women, I did experience them as real people. I'm finding it difficult to say why I enjoyed the book so much: original characters, streamlined narration, well-plotted development and.....and truth. It's taken me many years to even approach the practice of not judging or labeling events as "good" or "bad", of softening one's resistance to reality and finally, of sifting one's "obstacles" in life for an understanding that might be blocked.

8.5 out of 10 Recommended to readers who ponder.... show less

This is a beautifully written story about four women who think they are strangers, but they have connections to one another that become clearer as this slim novel moves through a few days of each of these ladies lives. The narrative weave is masterful, and several emotions are teased to the surface for both the characters and the reader. The theme throughout, however, is that life is full of things that feel like traps. Our weaknesses and mistakes. The violence done to us by others or show more ourselves, or that we may have done to others who have crossed our path. But things like that aren't always what they seem--a bad turn can sometimes take us to exactly the place that we need to go. Ultimately, maybe it's only ourselves we have to forget or forgive. I did a lot of cheering towards the end, and at least one fist pump. Please, treat yourself to this little gem. show less

The blurb says..."Four women, four days, one chance" and that pretty much sums this story well.

All four women are interesting characters. Dana is an ex military bodyguard, well trained, hard exterior and well disciplined. Jessica is a famous actress and has all the trappings that fame brings. Some of them are not very desirable. The loss of a private life and the endless fans and hangers on don't sit well with her and Jessica and her family have continuous protection, but this makes her a show more virtual hostage in her own home. Vivian is a a young woman who has had a rough time of it. At seventeen years old she is the mother of twins and running scared from a sinister boyfriend. Then there is Lynn, a recovering alcoholic, who runs a dog sanctuary. She carries a lot of guilt for her past mistakes, but has been clean from alcohol for over four years. More than anything she wants to make amends for how she let her family and friends down.

All these characters come together in an engrossing novel which I found to be a real page turner. I was eager to see how everything panned out and loved all the women for their faults and honesty. Neatly tied together, the story is great and highly recommended. I am now going to get hold of Mackenzie Bezos's first novel! show less

A low-key but affecting portrait of a family whose admirable head has one fatal flaw. Luther Albright is a responsible man. That shows in his work as a highly respected civil engineer in Sacramento; it shows in the shipshape house he built from scratch in the Sacramento suburbs; and it shows in his love for his close-knit family. Yet his story begins: "The year I lost my wife and son . . ." Lost: the ominous, ambiguous word hangs over the seemingly inconsequential episodes to come. Summary show more BPL

Superior quality prose and fleshed out characters. The point of it all flew right over my head though. Luther's attention to detail, obsessively methodical routine and flat aspect--on the page anyway--had the tang of autism to me and I read the entire story in that key. As I tried to write this review, I saw that it could also be about a person too traumatized by emotion in his childhood to give it any space in his adult life; a father determined not to make the same mistakes as his own parents.

The story lags, testing the interest and patience of the reader.

6 out 10 show less