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A Student of Living Things
The Frayn family of Washington, D.C., is coping pretty well with twenty-first century realities of life—snipers, bomb threats, natural disasters, etc. Then, in the moment it takes Claire Frayn to dig for her umbrella, her politically outspoken brother Steven is shot down right next to her on the library steps.
Steven's murder shatters the tightly knit Frayn family, and his sister Claire becomes determined to unravel the mystery of why her brother was killed. Searching for answers, Claire meets Victor, an enigmatic stranger who claims to know who killed Steven. Claire begins an unusual correspondence with the suspected assassin, but instead of uncovering the truth of her brother's death, she finds herself drawn to this man, and increasingly apprehensive about cooperating with Victor's plans to avenge Steven's death.
A gripping family drama with an unusual love story at its center, this is an intimate portrait of grief, the futility of revenge, and the miracle of forgiveness.
Steven's murder shatters the tightly knit Frayn family, and his sister Claire becomes determined to unravel the mystery of why her brother was killed. Searching for answers, Claire meets Victor, an enigmatic stranger who claims to know who killed Steven. Claire begins an unusual correspondence with the suspected assassin, but instead of uncovering the truth of her brother's death, she finds herself drawn to this man, and increasingly apprehensive about cooperating with Victor's plans to avenge Steven's death.
A gripping family drama with an unusual love story at its center, this is an intimate portrait of grief, the futility of revenge, and the miracle of forgiveness.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
8 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Susan Richards Shreve
72 books85 followersAlso know as Susan Shreve. Received the following awards: Jenny Moore Award, George Washington University, 1978; Notable Book citation, American Library Association (ALA), 1979, for Family Secrets: Five Very Important Stories; Best Book for Young Adults citation, ALA, 1980, for The Masquerade; Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, National Council for Social Studies and the Children's Book Council joint committee, 1980, for Family Secrets: Five Very Important Stories; Guggenheim award in fiction, 1980; National Endowment for the Arts fiction award, 1982; Edgar Allan Poe Award, Mystery Writers of America, 1988, for Lucy Forever and Miss Rosetree, Shrinks; Woodrow Wilson fellowships, West Virginia Wesleyan, 1994, and Bates College, 1997; Lila Wallace Readers Digest Foundation grant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 20, 2020
A very quick read, I bumped this one up for two reasons. First, I loved the quirky, well developed family. They felt genuine and their ways of coping with their grief after Steven’s death were very real. Second, there was a good plot, with a solid mystery that kept me engaged. My only qualm that kept me hovering at a three star review was the far fetched nature that came in at some of the plot. The ending did tie up a lot of that, which helped, but while reading the book, it was sometimes hard to get through.
February 21, 2021
This was a fairly quick read for me.. I picked this up at a thrift store as the title and cover picture were intriguing . It is a mystery about death of a young woman's brother. Also the story of a complicated family and their dynamics. I wouldn't put this in best books I've read category so I guess it was just OK.
July 2, 2019
Amazing story. Short but not dull at all. It is really worth reading. I don't regret having given this book a chance.
September 1, 2019
We never know what we are in other people's lives
January 5, 2022
This was a re-read for me and I enjoyed it just ass much this time as I did the first time!!
September 28, 2024
See my full review at https://topplingbookpile.wordpress.co...
September 7, 2025
2.5 stars - there is an interesting story here, but it just did not draw me in as deeply as I hoped it would, though the ending did wrap things up pretty nicely
May 11, 2017
Pros: (3 1/2 stars) Great twists and turns regarding the plot. Liked the final ending, it could have gone in a lot of different directions. The characters were well developed, especially liked the mom, Julia. The nuances for family dynamics was also well done. Quite a few of family members living in one home, but realistic. Interesting back drop of quasi police state among the fact of everyday living as we know it carried on. Good intertwining of music, science and human connections. More of a psychological thriller if a genre/label is needed.
Cons: For some reason, the pace seemed slow. Sort of like I plodded along. Not sure why...
Cover Art: 5 out of 5 stars -- perfect tone for the book
Cons: For some reason, the pace seemed slow. Sort of like I plodded along. Not sure why...
Cover Art: 5 out of 5 stars -- perfect tone for the book
November 27, 2013
It’s so rare to find a mystery or thriller that has real flesh-and-blood characters and intense emotional and psychological sensitivity, but that somehow maintains a fast-paced, stream-lined plot that is almost nail-bitingly suspenseful. This book is exactly that, and I loved it.
I have to start by saying this is one of the most tense and authentically suspenseful books I’ve read in a long time. The book starts off intriguing, stutters a bit, but then just keeps getting better and better. When 23-year-old biology student Claire Frayn, at her most vulnerable after her brother Steven’s murder, gets sucked into the undercover revolutionary Victor Duarte’s plot to find and catch Steven's killer, the tension starts building fast. When complications in this scheme arise in the form of an unexpected but entirely believable romance built on a web of lies, the tension becomes almost unbearable.
The mystery element of the story is clever and very well-plotted. But there’s so much more to it than that. In a lot of ways, this is what a mystery novel should be. I’m often frustrated by the way most murder mysteries ignore the emotional effects of the crime on the victim’s loved ones--often the author specifically tries to make the dead person insignificant to the reader so that grief and love and sadness don’t get in the way of the puzzle-solving thrill of the mystery. In contrast, this story is really a sincere and moving exploration of death, guilt, sadness, strength, and love. It’s about the many small and complicated facets of a family’s response to their murdered son/brother. Embedded in the story are a lot of difficult, thought-provoking questions, like accepting the moral weight of your smallest decisions and actions vs. recognizing that things are sometimes just out of your control. Without giving anything away, I can say that the solution to the mystery unexpectedly but satisfyingly engages and deepens, rather than ties up and cheapens, some of the central issues the book has raised.
One of the things I loved most about this novel was the way Claire changes quietly but profoundly over the course of the book. As a “student of living things,” she gradually develops a finer sensitivity to people’s emotional complexities and vulnerabilities. Her own emotional capacity and moral compass bloom in a beautiful and subtle way, and along with that comes her growing self-awareness and wisdom. The love story that unfolds within this book is also one of the most original, powerful, and romantic I’ve read.
One of the few things that didn’t work quite as well for me in this book were the interspersed flashback sections; mostly they were beneficial to the story but other times they seemed less so, and Claire’s voice as a younger child seemed too sophisticated to be natural. The semi-dystopian Washington, DC environment was never totally clear to me either, but that didn’t bother me much since it seemed to function at least partially as a general backdrop of danger and tense uncertainty.
Overall, I loved this book and am definitely interested in reading more by Susan Shreve. If you like your “literary fiction” fast-paced and suspenseful, or if you like your mysteries and thrillers with a hefty dose of emotional weight and complexity, or even if you like a unique and memorable love story, this book is for you.
I have to start by saying this is one of the most tense and authentically suspenseful books I’ve read in a long time. The book starts off intriguing, stutters a bit, but then just keeps getting better and better. When 23-year-old biology student Claire Frayn, at her most vulnerable after her brother Steven’s murder, gets sucked into the undercover revolutionary Victor Duarte’s plot to find and catch Steven's killer, the tension starts building fast. When complications in this scheme arise in the form of an unexpected but entirely believable romance built on a web of lies, the tension becomes almost unbearable.
The mystery element of the story is clever and very well-plotted. But there’s so much more to it than that. In a lot of ways, this is what a mystery novel should be. I’m often frustrated by the way most murder mysteries ignore the emotional effects of the crime on the victim’s loved ones--often the author specifically tries to make the dead person insignificant to the reader so that grief and love and sadness don’t get in the way of the puzzle-solving thrill of the mystery. In contrast, this story is really a sincere and moving exploration of death, guilt, sadness, strength, and love. It’s about the many small and complicated facets of a family’s response to their murdered son/brother. Embedded in the story are a lot of difficult, thought-provoking questions, like accepting the moral weight of your smallest decisions and actions vs. recognizing that things are sometimes just out of your control. Without giving anything away, I can say that the solution to the mystery unexpectedly but satisfyingly engages and deepens, rather than ties up and cheapens, some of the central issues the book has raised.
One of the things I loved most about this novel was the way Claire changes quietly but profoundly over the course of the book. As a “student of living things,” she gradually develops a finer sensitivity to people’s emotional complexities and vulnerabilities. Her own emotional capacity and moral compass bloom in a beautiful and subtle way, and along with that comes her growing self-awareness and wisdom. The love story that unfolds within this book is also one of the most original, powerful, and romantic I’ve read.
One of the few things that didn’t work quite as well for me in this book were the interspersed flashback sections; mostly they were beneficial to the story but other times they seemed less so, and Claire’s voice as a younger child seemed too sophisticated to be natural. The semi-dystopian Washington, DC environment was never totally clear to me either, but that didn’t bother me much since it seemed to function at least partially as a general backdrop of danger and tense uncertainty.
Overall, I loved this book and am definitely interested in reading more by Susan Shreve. If you like your “literary fiction” fast-paced and suspenseful, or if you like your mysteries and thrillers with a hefty dose of emotional weight and complexity, or even if you like a unique and memorable love story, this book is for you.
March 6, 2010
Another book that I heard on NPR 90.9fm Philadelphia (NPR.org, summer reading 2006).
Intrigued by the story line about Claire, a student of biology at George Washington Univ in Washington, DC, and her brother, Steven.
The setting is post 9-11 and the current state of Washington, DC is 'high alert', because of the assination of law student and op-ed writer, Steven Frayn, on the steps of GWU with his sister just steps away. The death is a shock to the family. The family struggles to stay together, as their world slowly crumbles and Claire dives into the wanting to know why this has happened. Along the way Claire discovers some things about her brother that she never knew, and things about herself as well. A sad, twisted, almost hopeful story of love, discovery and the realization that no matter how bad it gets, no matter how dark the face of fear is, this world is worth living in.
From NPR.org: NPR.org, June 2, 2006 · Rona Brinlee of The Bookmark in Atlantic Beach, Fla., recommends A Student of Living Things by Susan Richards Shreve in her conversation about summer reading with Susan Stamberg on Morning Edition. "As the story unfolds," Brinlee says, "we get all the ingredients of a page-turner: mysterious characters, a secretive love, and lots of twists and turns."
Guite Enjoyable read, though I would give it a 4.5, and not quite a 5.
Why? Because I read it in June and just remembered about it today. (I couldn't remember what book I was missing, but I knew it was missing... )
I think this may have been the author's first 'adult' novel, as she is a children's writer, but I may be wrong.
Intrigued by the story line about Claire, a student of biology at George Washington Univ in Washington, DC, and her brother, Steven.
The setting is post 9-11 and the current state of Washington, DC is 'high alert', because of the assination of law student and op-ed writer, Steven Frayn, on the steps of GWU with his sister just steps away. The death is a shock to the family. The family struggles to stay together, as their world slowly crumbles and Claire dives into the wanting to know why this has happened. Along the way Claire discovers some things about her brother that she never knew, and things about herself as well. A sad, twisted, almost hopeful story of love, discovery and the realization that no matter how bad it gets, no matter how dark the face of fear is, this world is worth living in.
From NPR.org: NPR.org, June 2, 2006 · Rona Brinlee of The Bookmark in Atlantic Beach, Fla., recommends A Student of Living Things by Susan Richards Shreve in her conversation about summer reading with Susan Stamberg on Morning Edition. "As the story unfolds," Brinlee says, "we get all the ingredients of a page-turner: mysterious characters, a secretive love, and lots of twists and turns."
Guite Enjoyable read, though I would give it a 4.5, and not quite a 5.
Why? Because I read it in June and just remembered about it today. (I couldn't remember what book I was missing, but I knew it was missing... )
I think this may have been the author's first 'adult' novel, as she is a children's writer, but I may be wrong.
February 3, 2014
I liked the story (plot), however it is told backwards in time and by the end I'd actually forgotten some of what was written in the beginning of the story. The shift in time doesn't detract from the story and my faulty memory didn't cause too much of a problem in terms of comprehending what was going on.
The setting of the story is Washington, DC and a woman graduate student sees her brother killed right in front of her on the steps of a university library in this city. Along with this central woman character, Claire, there are the members of her immediate and extended family as well as her brother who the reader gets to know to some extent. Not to give too much away the book's something of a murder mystery, and as one critic indicate, also a psychological thriller. I wouldn't go as far as saying it as a thriller, however there is good amount of psychological intensity.
At times I found the narrative to be bogged down in a lot of detail and it could get tedious at times. When the story really begins to take off is when Claire becomes involved in possibly tracking down who killed her brother. At the book's end I was actually more emotional than I anticipated. I think in some ways the ending brings a burst of emotion that is held back since much is unclear until the final pages.
The setting of the story is Washington, DC and a woman graduate student sees her brother killed right in front of her on the steps of a university library in this city. Along with this central woman character, Claire, there are the members of her immediate and extended family as well as her brother who the reader gets to know to some extent. Not to give too much away the book's something of a murder mystery, and as one critic indicate, also a psychological thriller. I wouldn't go as far as saying it as a thriller, however there is good amount of psychological intensity.
At times I found the narrative to be bogged down in a lot of detail and it could get tedious at times. When the story really begins to take off is when Claire becomes involved in possibly tracking down who killed her brother. At the book's end I was actually more emotional than I anticipated. I think in some ways the ending brings a burst of emotion that is held back since much is unclear until the final pages.
March 2, 2011
Interesting characters and some unusual plot twists. It's a mix of murder mystery, love story, and family drama. Fairly quick to read, with a bit of suspense and intrigue. The ending was believable, although a little too perfectly tied-up, which is rare in real-life.
Claire, the protagonist, was sweet and determined, but a bit naive and girlish for her age and education level, which made it hard for me to identify with her.
And the setting, post- 9/11 Washington D.C., with terrorist attacks occurring nearly daily throughout the story, didn't ring true. Was the author trying to describe some kind of dystopia but didn't spend the time fully fleshing it out, or was this book written so soon after 9/11 that it seemed reasonable to have "orange alerts" every day? That part was too distracting, and ultimately not really part of the story.
All in all, a pleasant read, but not special enough to give more than 2 or 2.5 stars.
Claire, the protagonist, was sweet and determined, but a bit naive and girlish for her age and education level, which made it hard for me to identify with her.
And the setting, post- 9/11 Washington D.C., with terrorist attacks occurring nearly daily throughout the story, didn't ring true. Was the author trying to describe some kind of dystopia but didn't spend the time fully fleshing it out, or was this book written so soon after 9/11 that it seemed reasonable to have "orange alerts" every day? That part was too distracting, and ultimately not really part of the story.
All in all, a pleasant read, but not special enough to give more than 2 or 2.5 stars.
July 14, 2014
This is the second book I read by Susan Shreve and I really, really liked it. The setting is post 9/11 civil war Washington D.C., which is like an alternate universe that could have happened. But the setting, while important, is not the emphasis of this book.
The best things about this book were:
- character development, interesting characters
- the little observations that Shreve tosses in at regular intervals
- the main character who is quirky but still real
- love letters written in music
Fun to read and I enjoyed how it ended. Would recommend. Am starting another book by this author today!
The best things about this book were:
- character development, interesting characters
- the little observations that Shreve tosses in at regular intervals
- the main character who is quirky but still real
- love letters written in music
Fun to read and I enjoyed how it ended. Would recommend. Am starting another book by this author today!
January 25, 2009
I did not really get into this book till the end. I was expecting something much more cynical, not hoping, just expecting. I was surprised by the conclusion. There is a nice tie in with 911, guilt, and forgiveness, which drags you through humanities ability to cope with tragedy. As a whole, I thought it all wrapped up just a little “too” perfect and with its many references to 911 its idealist tone felt too Pollyanna.
August 18, 2008
This book was SO RAD and I couldn't put it down. What a suspenseful mystery. I didn't read the summary very well when I checked it out and didn't realize it was a mystery. This is a story about a family in MD that has a son that was murdered/assassinated/accidentally shot and his sister's quest to figure it out. I couldn't believe the ending. You'll have to read it to find out what happens. I did love the love story attached along with it. You never know who to trust.
July 22, 2011
Short, suspenseful, and full of references to familiar D.C.-area landmarks, this story takes place in the aftermath of the murder of a politically-outspoken law student as his grief-stricken and rather naive sister is drawn into a strange revenge scheme. The story was hampered, though, by a constant sense that something is a little bit off about the characters and scenarios --- not quite true-to-life enough to really draw you in.
February 27, 2008
I finished this book on 2/25. It is a short but engaging read which sweeps you in. The protagonist attempts to distance herself from her life, but her actions have devastating consequences, and by the last three chapters I found myself completely unable to put the book down.
I have an extra copy ordered by mistake I'd be willing to swap with someone.
I have an extra copy ordered by mistake I'd be willing to swap with someone.
Read
May 11, 2008it took a month to read first 120 pages, always having the feeling its time to drop the book and forget about it but there was still smth about it not allowing to drop. Having read it this morning, am not regretting. a good read in the end..and am now looking for someone who plays piano, to play the parts from the benj/claire-uncle letters to get the fuller sound of the story.
January 18, 2008
This was a quick story for me with a somewhat predictable ending but it still kept my interest nonetheless. Not exactly an upbeat book. It was a reminder of the fact that even when you think you know someone, you really don't.
January 28, 2009
The book follows the story of a family after their son is murdered on the steps of his university library. It takes place in the DC metro area and I enjoyed reading about places that I'm familiar with. The book drags in some places but the end is very good and puts everything together.
September 15, 2008
I really enjoyed the twist when the mystery was resolved, but I had a hard time getting into the characters or story line of the novel. It was nice to read an adult novel for a change; it's been a while.
November 26, 2008
I got this book at a library book sale because I really enjoyed the cover. This is the first book I've read by Shreve, but not her first -- I'm surprised I haven't heard of her sooner, but I plan on reading more of her books.
December 20, 2012
Grief. Bewilderment. Bad decisions. Family ties. (Good. At one point, got worried, "I am NOT going to like where this is going." But the next chapter took a turn...for the BETTER, and I loved how it ended.)
Read
July 6, 2007Took me a long time to get through this b/c I don't usually read mystery-type books. But it was interesting.
July 23, 2007
Great character development, intense mystery.
March 31, 2008
A story of a murder and it's aftermath. I was entertained reading it, but I wouldn't read it again.
July 3, 2008
While not a book about 9/11, this story of a fascinating family could only happen post 9/11. Loved the quirky characters and how they each work their way through tragedy.
Read
October 20, 2008Took me weeks to get through this, not sure why. I couldn't just give up on it, not sure of why not.
March 11, 2009
A Student of Living things was nothing like I thought it would be. But it was lovely. Short, suspenseful, and ultimately heartbreaking in the most wonderful way, I loved it.
December 27, 2009
Favorite quote: My biggest success? I hope it hasn't happened yet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews