Shuby Deshpande's Reviews > The Razor's Edge

This is the tale of a young restless soul, Laurence Darrell (Larry), who is in pursuit of the answer to life’s overarching question, what is the meaning of it all? An idealist, dreamer, and romantic, he scavenges the globe in search of the truth. Though at first glance, this novel may appear to focus on Larry, he is but a thread in the book’s plot, as we subtly delve into the lives of Isabel, Elliot, Gray, Maugham, Sophie, and Suzanne, which is punctuated by Larry’s brief appearances. The interaction between the characters, and the narration of their respective traits, are apt illustrations of the human condition. The mark of a great novel is when it enables you to gain a deeper glimpse into how personalities evolve given societal, cultural, and environmental conditions.