'Off Course' by Michelle Huneven follows the journey of Cressida Hartley, a young woman working on her dissertation in her parents' cabin in the woods. The story delves into her encounters with quirky locals, including a resident lothario, and her tumultuous relationships with two men, leading to a captivating exploration of infidelity and self-discovery. Huneven's writing style is described as rich, evocative, and immersive, painting vivid scenes of the Sierra Nevada mountains and creating fully realized, flawed characters that resonate with readers on a deep emotional level.
The narrative of 'Off Course' unfolds as a slow burn rather than relying on twists and turns, focusing on the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of questionable choices. The book delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for personal growth, offering a poignant and heartfelt portrayal of Cressida's journey as she navigates through life-altering decisions and the repercussions of her actions.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains medium triggers/content warnings related to infidelity, emotional distress, and poor decision-making.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in Off Course, primarily centered around Cressida's affair.
From The Publisher:
"Skillful and perceptive . . . A complex portrait of a woman under the influence: of love, then obsession."-The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)
The year is 1981. The United States has just installed Ronald Reagan in the White House, and Cressida Hartley, a Ph.D. candidate in economics, has relocated to her parents' A-frame in the Sierras. There, she plans to finish her dissertation on art in the marketplace, but instead Cress finds herself drawn into the life of this small community-and into the orbit of Jakey Yates, the owner of the local lodge. When she takes a part-time job with a contractor, she meets the Morrow brothers, and her distractions begin to multiply.
As Cress falls prey to her own perilous reasoning, she strays into dark new territory, where she becomes subject to uncontrollable forces from both within and without. At once sharply observed and utterly enthralling, Off Course evokes the pull of an intense, impossible connection and reveals what happens when two people can't let go of one another or their previous commitments.
What can you read after
Off Course?
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