Review: The Editor, by Steven Rowley

The Editor, by Steven Rowley

Penguin Random House Audio - 2019
General Fiction
Audiobook
Narrated by Michael Urie

10 Hours, 21 Minutes

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

James Smale is an author, in New York in the '90's. Like all authors struggling to make a living of their craft, he feels like he has won the lottery when he gets a call from a major publishing house about is most recent work - an autobiographical novel. He certainly didn't expect that anything could be more exciting for him, until he meets the editor who wants to work with him. James is floored when his editor walks into the meeting room and he realizes she one of the most iconic women in America - Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis. 

This is the awkward start to their relationship.  James' book is loosely based on his dysfunctional family - particularly the relationship with his mother. As James and Jacqueline work together to make the final edits and polish the book, a friendship grows. The book is edited, reviewed and revised, but the ending never feels right. With this Jackie encourages James to communicate with his mother and resolve his outstanding issues which may a barrier to him finding a  satisfying for his novel. 

This story is warm and wonderful and touching. It is about the relationships that shape who we are - both the relationships from our past, and the ones in our present. It is about how simple and yet complicated  those relationships are, and how each one is are unique yet holds universal truths as well. It is about Mother's and Sons.  

I chose this book because I so loved Rowley's previous work - Lily And The Octopus. In this book I found some of the same warmth and tribute to the human condition.  His characters are always complex and well rounded and not without fault. At times you may want to give the protagonist a shake and tell them to wake up and smell the coffee, but even so, you come to be invested in them, and love them because they are perfectly imperfect

Narration was performed by Michael Yurie, who did a wonderful job. He was a perfect match for the character of James Smale, but also provided a good range of character and emotion for the book as a whole. His voice is clear, and he delivered the story with a pleasant tone, and cadence.

If you enjoyed LIly And The Octopus, I think you would probably enjoy this book as well.

Happy Reading,

Christine