Customer Reviews

Parallel Journeys

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Parallel Journeys is a haunting novel about grief, commitment, and betrayal. Part character study, part thriller, its page-turning story is backed up by deftly drawn psychological portraits of the main characters. The novel tells the story of Fran, grieving the recent death of her husband, who seeks to understand the secrets of her husband's past. Uncovering these secrets involves the reader in a fascinating journey into the world of pharmaceutical research--its pressures and its ethical dilemmas, the science that inspires it, the commerce that drives it, and the human emotions that inevitably surface as well. Set in contemporary Britain, the narrative loops back in time to various points in Fran's past, mirroring the meandering of her mind as she strains to unravel the mysteries of her husband's past professional life. In the process, she also seeks to understand what happened to her marriage in order to reconstruct her shattered present. A deeply satisfying read, Parallel Journeys delivers on its promises and raises important questions about the future of genetic research into the bargain.

This novel skillfully combines the personal struggles of one woman with timely and disturbing issues of the 21st century. Part mystery, part psychological study, it is a compelling and informative read that builds to a powerful conclusion. The writing is pitch perfect.