About This Book
From the US Review of Books
reviewed by Mihir Shah
"Not that she had any idea what she was chasing. She only knew it was there to be found, that which she'd sensed."
Maffei's 3 Most Singular Love Stories blends three unique, thrillingly eccentric, romance-laden narratives of intriguing characters in extraordinary situations.
"The Last Sunflowers" is, for the most part, the blissful yet disturbing dream of Helen Shaw, an aspiring artist working at a DVD rental store. In the opening scene, Helen's coworker Sammy clearly desires her; however, she is mesmerized by the mysterious bravado of one of her customers, Dominic. Later that night, she dozes and dreams. In her dream, she along with Sammy and acquaintances Brian and Maddie are fast forwarded to April 19, 2027, finding themselves on a yacht tossed in a storm. Just when they see land and Brian declares the ship "unsinkable," the ship sinks, and the group is forced to swim. The island is apparently deserted, and the author makes a point to describe the wrath of the sun in its many forms: "A quarter risen now, it shone more inflamed than ever, even as it warmed them." As the sun cycles from a rosy hue to a threateningly purple shade, the group seems to be in an almost twilight zone type situation. The cast blended together and dumped onto the island is almost comical: Brian, a corporate lawyer, Sammy, a jester, Maddie the mystery writer, and Helen, the artist in search of love. When Helen and company encounter the flute and knife bearing Dominic and his dog, a can of worms is opened: sexual tensions and love triangles abound. The island symbolizes a primitive, yet pure aspect of the world while the world they've come from represents the mechanical side of life: "Millions of people all around, but it was like walking in a world of ghosts." Will Helen find what she is looking for? How long can the group possibly survive on an island battered by the sun?
Midway through the first story, it becomes apparent that this is not your typical novel. The author takes risks with grammar and conventional stylistic techniques. The dialogue and action, however, are what carry this story and make it feel like a screenplay within a narrative.
"Sadie and the Scamp," though a bit less surreal than "The Last Sunflowers," tells the story of Sadie, who finds the material world of riches and leisure without merit. In fact, she relishes the confines and solitudes of nature, feeling free and at one with herself. The opening of this story has transcendentalist written all over it. Maffei, in one scene set at Venice Beach, captures the free spirit aura of the story: busy food stands, hippy gatherings, and musicians piercing the environment with their soul music. In this scene, Sadie encounters a jazz musician, Pino Torres. She immediately recognizes the similarities in their nature and their allegiance to the natural part of their lives. After two dates at the club where Pino plays, the couple's relationship evolves. Sadie wants conversations, while Pino seemingly will only speak through his music. In this story, Maffei depicts a real shade of love: happiness mixed with conflict.
Maffei's final story, "Of Dogs and Rainbows," has dog fighting as a central focus. Arguably a sensitive topic, readers will be surprised as they discern the love JD, the central character, and Maureen, his girlfriend, have for the dogs. In essence, this narrative has two love stories embedded within: the budding love between a couple who had only recently met at a bar, and their love for the dogs in their kennel. A particularly striking passage in the narrative, "What better thing in all the world than a man's seeing himself made fine in a woman's eyes," helps audiences understand the unique relationship between the characters.
3 Most Singular Love Stories is a good type of different. Readers willing to dig deeper will relish Maffei's decidedly unique approach to romance.
RECOMMENDED by the USR
