Cassandra Fallows has written two popular memoirs and a less well-received novel. Her new editor has asked for another memoir, but Cassandra feels she doesn’t have any more memories to exploit. Until a news story reminds her of a former classmate, Calliope Jenkins, who remained silent about the death of her newborn son and served seven years. Cassandra knows there is a story there, and returns to Baltimore in hopes of finding the classmate and interviewing other classmates and those familiar with the case. However, they all have a reason to remain silent too…What I like so much about Lippman’s novels is that while there is a mystery/thriller element, Lippman always seems more interested in exploring character and more specifically the ripple effect a crime has on all the people it touches. I found this aspect fascinating and tragic – as many of the characters felt like they were serving “life sentences” in some way for being involved in the Calliope case. I was especially touched by the story of the ambitious female cop who was broken by Calliope’s stonewalling.
Cassandra’s own journey is interesting to follow as well. She’s made her reputation on writing her version of past events only to be confronted with the truth of how subjective memories can be. The present day story, written in third person, is interspersed with “excerpts” from her first memoir, written in first person. It’s a structure that takes a bit of getting used to, but that ultimately serves the story well.
LIFE SENTENCES is available in hardcover now. For more information about the author and her novels, visit her website: http://www.lauralippman.com
Oh...interesting tidbit - Cassandra's mother's name is Lenore! Cassandra's father starts calling her Lennie when he "falls out of love with her". Lennie is a more gender neutral nickname, so it shows her he doesn't appreciate her as a "sensual" woman anymore. Guess I should be glad that Daniel never calls me Lennie :) And be worried if he ever does...
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