Author: Suzanne Rindell
Genre: Historical fiction
You can’t beat a good book set in New York, especially historical New York. It is 1958 and Cliff is slumming round Greenwich Village, convinced he is a major writing talent. His is a Colombia drop out whose father is a successful editor who treats his son with somewhat justified disdain. Eden is an ambitious country girl who has arrived in the city with the desire to be an editor. Miles is a reserved, good looking black man who does actually have a talent for writing. The stories of these three characters collide with significant consequences for all. This is a story, primarily, about identity. Cliff is so desperate to BE someone that he hurts those closest to him with his insatiable need to seek approval from his peers. Eden has to change her name & appearance when her naked ambition stokes jealous fires in a colleague. Miles is conflicted over his sexuality and is determined to find out who his father really was. The story is replete with evocative period detail but, while some of Eden’s scenes bring to mind images from Mad Men, the quote that states this is Mad Men of the publishing world is overly generous. There’s less office politics and more inner struggle. There are plenty of juicy plot twists but some of them have less impact than others, which is a pity. I was surprised the location jumped to California but it’s crucial to Mile’s character arc. Miles is the most interesting character here, a flawed hero, testament to how many people miss their ‘happily ever after’, a result that none of the characters achieve. But it is not a depressing book, there is redemption. All in all, very enjoyable. I will definitely read The Other Typist and anything else Suzanne Rindell writes.
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