Customer Reviews

The Stylist: A Novel (P.S.)

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

 

 

In 2002 in Hoboken, New Jersey, Hayden is a stylist at Pizzazz Salon. Newcomer Emory takes over the empty chair. Something about the new woman bothers Hayden and leads her to think back a few years ago before she went to Harvard. Her thoughts are on Arleen whom her mother brought in to live with them. Hayden and her younger sisters Cornelia and Sophie tease Arleen who is not quite right mentally. However that leads Hayden to realize that Emory is an effeminate male, which makes her unhappy. When she was growing up her dad was often on the road a lot researching the books he wrote. Those were the best times as life was carefree; when he came home, life turned oppressive. Hayden enjoyed her childhood until mom died. Instead of returning to Harvard, she vanished. Her apartment is freezing so Emory offers to let her stay with her in her place in Manhattan. She accepts.

Hayden sees Cornelia in New York. Cornelia is married, pregnant, going to law school and lives in Scarsdale; Sophie is at college in Michigan. Finally she accuses Hayden of deserting the family when they needed her. Cornelia gives Hayden a copy of their dad's new book. Cornelia calls Hayden demanding she go to Costa Rica to bring their father home as he broke his leg. Reluctantly Hayden agrees to see her dad for the first time since he sent her back to school, but she instead ran away. She does not know what to expect, but anticipates the worst so she brings her new pal Emory with her.

This is a unique entertaining family drama held together by the prime character Hayden, an interesting protagonist. The support cast is solid but mostly through relationships with Hayden. Although a late death seems too convenient of a way of clearing up their differences, fans of fresh distinctive relationship dramas will enjoy Hayden's family reunion.

Harriet Klausner

"The Stylist" tells the poignant story of Hayden Risley, the self-absorbed daughter of an absentee father, who's a famous writer, and an unpredictable mother. The engaging tale begins in the months following 9/11 with hair stylist Hayden, working at a beauty salon in Hoboken, New Jersey. When a new girl, Emory, begins working at the salon, a hesitant friendship begins. An accidental meeting results in the two women flying to Costa Rica to help Hayden's estranged father. As the story unfolds, Hayden begins to understand the perspectives of others and Emory comes to terms with her identity.

Ms. Emmons has masterfully created an intriguing storyline with a cast of fascinating, emotionally complex characters. Her beautiful writing brings the captivating story to life. Flashbacks are brilliantly woven into the story leading to a greater understanding of the characters. In addition, reading about the complicated life of a transgender was very enlightening. I really loved this extremely interesting novel and I highly recommend it!

What a privilege and how strange, to be a fly on the wall of a beauty shop, a place I always wanted to be. The poignant descriptions of post 9-11 are wonderfully moving and the growing relationship between the two main characters is a flower unfolding. Each suffers from their own brand of dysphoria, but each is the catalyst for the other finding their real self.