Just Jennifer

The Writing Circle   Corinne Demas (Voice, July 6, 2010)

When she is asked to join a prestigious Massachusetts writers’ group, the Leopardi Circle, medical writer Nancy Markopolis doesn’t realize that not only will her fledgling novel be to subject to criticism, but her life will become quickly entangled with the lives of the other, somewhat eccentric, members of the group, and ultimately, many of her actions will be judged by the group. Absent-minded professor Bernard used to be married to another group member, Virginia, but their relationship has remained amicable, if not cordial. Chris is the divorced father of two, a moderately successful mystery writer, though not as successful navigating his relationship with his vindictive ex-wife. Cool and aloof Gillian is a successful poet, perhaps the most critical and unkindest member of the group, yet young Adam is drawn to her, and is into her, yet doesn’t understand her, something that will ultimately end up causing a lot of heartache for many people. Each chapter is told from a different point of view, either a member of the reading group or a family member. The members of the group come together, separate, reassemble in different groups, intermingle and interact with family members of other group members, creating a kaleidoscopic panorama of the various relationships. Accusations of plagiarism wrest the group apart and, in a shocking conclusion, tear a family apart.