Trust Exercise

TRUST EXERCISE
by Susan Choi

 Nomination: National Book Winner 2019

 Date Read: October 19, 2019

Trust Exercise brilliantly describes being trapped in that adolescent nightmare of trying to determine who you are, what your values are and where you fit in the world. The varyingly talented kids who attend a prestigious performing arts school are all struggling for definition against ever-raging hormones and all-consuming deep feelings. Karen finds herself ostracized for what others perceive to be her "slutiness," combined with outing Manuel to his parents and her own perceived sense of persecution.

Choi's writing here is excellent, however, the plot, even after she flipped the script in the second half of the novel, left me just hollowed out. These teens experience all the same drama as most, in conflict with one another, peers, their parents and their teachers. Of course, these being drama students, their conflicts are extra dramatic. 

 The subject matter just didn't quite stir me, perhaps because I'm glad that part of my life is finished. This leaves the writing and I'll admit Choi is a gifted storyteller, even if this particular experience left me hollow.

 Looking Forward: American Woman, A Person Of Interest

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