Jenny Shimada is a fugitive from justice living a quiet life in rural New York when she is found by a former associate and convinced to help some younger radicals on the run. Thrown together in an old farmhouse 30 miles from the nearest town, they negotiate resentment and distrust into tense workable relationships as months pass with no exit in sight. A surprise visit from the landlord pushes them into action with catastrophic results. Susan Choi’s fascinating and riveting novel American Woman (Harper $13.95) presents the psychological and emotional complexity of 1960’s radical action and life after going underground. Her clear and compassionate view of Jenny as she seeks to understand and reconcile her past with her current situation, keeps the reader fully engaged from beginning to end. ~ Marla Vandewater

Comments are closed.