BKMT READING GUIDES



 
Pointless,
Confusing,
Unconvincing

2 reviews

The Geometry of Love: A Novel
by Jessica Levine

Published: 2014-04-08
Paperback : 292 pages
5 members reading this now
1 club reading this now
0 members have read this book
The Geometry of Love was included as a 2015 Top Ten Women's Fiction Title in the American Library Association's Booklist.

Why is it easier for a woman to be a muse than to have one? Can one be fully creative--in art or life--without the inspiration of erotic love? These are the questions ...
No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

The Geometry of Love was included as a 2015 Top Ten Women's Fiction Title in the American Library Association's Booklist.

Why is it easier for a woman to be a muse than to have one? Can one be fully creative--in art or life--without the inspiration of erotic love? These are the questions asked in The Geometry of Love, a novel about a love triangle set in New York in the 1980s, then fast-forwarding to Northern California 20 years later. Julia, an aspiring poet, is living with her British boyfriend Ben, a restrained professor at Princeton, when she has a chance meeting with Michael, a long-ago friend. A charismatic composer, Michael was once a catalyzing muse for her, but now returns as a destabilizing influence. Julia must choose between security and passion as she longs to become involved with Michael, but hesitates to give up her relationship with Ben. When Michael signals he is too wounded to make a commitment, Julia turns her triangular situation into a square by setting him up with a cousin. In the process she discovers, as Pascal once said, that ""the heart has its reasons which reason does not know."" This deeply psychological tale explores the surprising ways we make romantic choices.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

16

I was in the office the next day, staring at my engagement ring, when the phone rang. I picked up. It was Michael.
"hi, Michael," I said.
hearing his name, Betty pointed to her open mouth to indicate she
was going to lunch and, grabbing her coat and bag, made for the door.
"hi," he said. "We haven't spoken in a while."
"Yeah, I know." hearing his voice, I felt my anger come up. "I had
lunch with Anna yesterday."
"I want to talk to you about that—"
"I don't get it. how could you move so fast after what happened
between us?"
"It makes the situation more equal," he said. "Don't you see? You have someone to fall back on, and I have someone to fall back on. More of a
square and less of a triangle."
"And that's why you and Anna are talking about starting a family
together?"
"Can we have dinner? I'll explain everything in person. Why don't
you come over after work?"
"Why should I?" I said, though of course I wanted to see him.
"We need to talk and then—spend the night with me," he said, his
voice dropping. "tonight."

164 the Geometry of Love

"You sure?" Warmth flooded up between my thighs and into my belly.
"We should have one night together, just a single night, don't you
think? Isn't that what you want? I've thought it through, and I think that's
what we should do."
I sat there, holding the phone to my cheek as though it were his face. "You think we can stop after one night?" I asked.
"Yes, if we agree to it beforehand—if we swear to it. It's the only way
not to get hurt."
"You're crazy," I said.
"What time will you be here?"
"Around five thirty," I said.
"okay," he said. "See you then." And we hung up.
A couple of hours later, as the energetic bus driver hurtled the rush-
hour crowd across Central Park, I stood gripping the ceiling handle and swaying back and forth. With each curve in the road, I collided with the handsome, suited businessman next to me.
"Sorry," my neighbor said. he had, on the last curve, swung into my breast. I didn't mind. Maybe he worked for a Madison Avenue advertising firm and lived in a palatial prewar apartment with a balcony and a view of Central Park. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Julia works in finance and accounting. In her life, she weighs and measures—wealth, health, love, additions to the family. Discuss.

2. Is Julia’s ambivalence about children related to her relationship with her mother or her relationship with Ben?
3.Ben is an academic, but he is a writer, too. In what way does Julia react to his writing? Why does she react differently to Michael's composing?

4. As a middle-aged woman, Julia changes her life. What do you think most inspires her final decision? How is her decision-making process different at mid-life than it was in her early 30s?

5. How is family portrayed in this novel?

p.s. There is a downloadable pdf for book clubs on the contact page of my website.

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Don't waste your time
by Gardening Gail (see profile) 08/22/16
This really has nothing to recommend it

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Wanted to "dope-slap" the heroine!"by Pam H. (see profile) 08/22/16

We received this book as a freebie from Book Movement. Sadly, no-one in our club liked it at all. We were very frustrated with the characters in the book and the jump in time that happened. Things included... (read more)

 
  "Top10 worst book ever read"by Gail Z. (see profile) 08/22/16

Formulaic at best. I didn't care about the characters at all.

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...