Far-Fetched but Still Fablulous

[Seraphina]

The title, reminiscent of a scroll in a high school year book, is very fitting. I’m a big Berg fan, as is, but this book was something special. Her talent for designing characters that can destroy the reader because we are so deeply vested in these people she’s created, is really something to behold. I read this in one sitting and, god help me, I teared up at the end. On a recent road trip, I sat in the passenger seat and read and excerpt to my friend, the driver (not a reader) and she made me finish the entire book out loud as we drove. The book just flows that well.

Life has gone out of its way to ignore Myra Lipinski. She was plain and unnoticed in high school and stayed in her home town to become a nurse and devote her life to taking care of others rather than herself. She’d resolved herself to this lonely and loveless life until her high school crush, the popular and handsome Chip Reardon, returned from his big, successful life in New York after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The complex relationship that the Myra and Chip develop really allow us a close look at dealing with the end of life, acceptance, past decisions, and heartbreak. The interesting thing about this book is that the plot is pretty far-fetched. You have to suspend your disbelief several times to swallow that all the serendipitous events could occur in the order they did. That being said, I didn’t care. I bought it because I was so in love with Myra’s story. I was routing for this underdog and her kind heart.

Usually, I gravitate toward novels with descriptive and poetic language where I’m drawn into the protagonist’s plight through their keen observations about the world around them and the imagery created when they describe their place in this world. Never Change didn’t have much of this poetry I lean toward. The plot clipped along without pause for this inner-reflection. Although I think it could have been even stronger had we gotten to know the characters in this more intimate way, Berg still demonstrates insightful understanding of the human condition and skill at crafting a plot that keeps the pages turning.

I had that end of book depression when it was finished and wasn’t ready to meet any new characters in the next book right away. That’s precisely why I need to give this four stars. There may have been some things I can pinpoint that could have strengthened the character development, but overall, the characters were memorable and I’m better for having known them

[Aysh]

What a lovely review. I was hooked very quickly with this one. Within 30 pages, I started asking myself why a movie hadn't been made of this. I agree that it was fast paced and didn't get too intimate with the characters but that may be why it was so good...it didn't drag on if you know what I mean.