In at the Deep End

March 18, 2019
Davies’s not-quite-romantic debut showcases a good sense of comedic pacing, but undermines itself with a judgmental, distancing attitude and an unwillingness to lean into either a happy ending or a zanily catastrophic one. Three years into a sexual dry spell, civil servant Julia accepts an invitation to accompany the couple she lives with to a party. There, she has one last terrible hookup with a man, and then, after a single romantic encounter with a woman, dives into a lesbian identity. She soon meets Sam, a butch painter whose connection to the underground scene appeals to Julia, but their relationship is stressed by Julia’s discomfort with Sam’s penchant for BDSM, sex clubs, and nonmonogamy, particularly her ongoing involvement with her married French girlfriend, Virginie. Secondary characters, such as Julia’s work buddies, her thoughtless “semi-amateur” therapist, and her parents, are mostly substanceless. Unquestioned, introspection-free positivity around Julia’s instant lesbianism is coupled with strong negativity about well-negotiated polyamory, and the story arc ties nonmonogamy tightly to Sam’s abusive behavior and the collapse of Sam and Julia’s relationship. This story may arouse and amuse straight and monogamous readers looking for a window onto other lives, but queer and polyamorous readers are likely to be deeply unimpressed. Agent: Sally Wofford-Girand, Union Literary.

Kate Davies's debut novel is enhanced by narrator Nicola Barber's nuanced rendering. Listeners meet Julia, a 20-something London civil servant and former dancer whose determination to reignite her sex life takes her down a rabbit hole that leads to new friends and an attraction to women. Narrating from Julia's point of view, Barber engages listeners with conversational tones and smooth pacing. Her performance pulls the listener into Julia's emotionally complex journey, including her sexual experiences with her girlfriend, Sam. Barber's characterizations of Julia's retired parents, friends, and co-workers reflect their personalities, as well as Julia's perceptions of them. Sprinkled throughout the narrative is Julia's work correspondence with Eric, a WWII veteran who is portrayed with warmth. Julia's professional relationship with him provides a contrast to her personal life. J.R.T. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine