Title: The Man I Love
Author: Suanne Laqueur
First published June 16, 2014
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.36
Overview
In The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur, Erik “Fish” Fiskare is faced with a pivotal moment in his life as a college junior when a shooting breaks out in the campus theater. In that moment, Fish goes from being his mother’s son to his girlfriend’s protector, running towards the danger to save her.
However, the aftermath of the tragedy begins to tear apart the circle of friends, including Fish and Daisy, who are hailed as heroes but struggle to deal with the trauma. Fish finds himself running away, but can he truly leave behind the one person he was born to love?
This powerful novel explores themes of social and mental health issues and takes readers on an emotional journey of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. With a gripping story and unforgettable characters, The Man I Love will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
About the Author
Suanne Laqueur is a former professional dancer and teacher who has swapped choreographing music for choreographing words. She writes stories that have broad appeal, crossing gender, age, and genre boundaries.
As a passionate advocate for mental health, her novels explore both romantic and familial relationships, as well as subjects such as psychology, PTSD, and generational trauma.
Laqueur has won several literary awards for her work. Her novel An Exaltation of Larks was named the grand prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Digest Book Awards and took first place in the 2019 North Street Book Prize.
Her debut novel The Man I Love won a gold medal in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and was named Best Debut in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her follow-up novel, Give Me Your Answer True, also won a gold medal at the 2016 RFBA.
Laqueur holds a double major in dance and theater from Alfred University and taught at the Carol Bierman School of Ballet Arts in Croton-on-Hudson for a decade. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening.
In fact, she started her blog EatsReadsThinks in 2010.
Suanne lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and two children. She continues to use her writing to advocate for mental health and to explore the complexities of human relationships.
Editoral Review
The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur is a compelling novel that explores love, loss, and healing in the aftermath of trauma. Laqueur’s writing is both poetic and raw, drawing readers in with her evocative language and haunting characters.
Set in New York City during the late 1990s and early 2000s, the novel follows the intersecting lives of five friends as they navigate their relationships, careers, and personal demons. At the core of the story is Erik Fiskare, a therapist who struggles to reconcile his own trauma with his professional role as a healer.
With a cast of complex characters that includes an aspiring actress, a musician, and a paramedic, the novel deftly explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. One of the strengths of The Man I Love is Laqueur’s masterful character development.
She allows each character to voice their own perspective, giving readers insight into their innermost thoughts and desires. This approach creates a sense of intimacy with the characters, making it easy to empathize with their struggles and triumphs.
The pacing of the novel is also noteworthy. The story unfolds gradually, building suspense along the way, before culminating in a powerful climax.
Laqueur’s attention to detail and use of foreshadowing create a sense of inevitability, making the final act all the more impactful. The Man I Love is not without its flaws, however.
At times, the novel’s introspection and lyrical prose can border on the self-indulgent. Some readers may also find the plot’s meandering nature and lack of clear resolution frustrating.
Despite these limitations, The Man I Love is a must-read for fans of literary fiction. Laqueur’s deft handling of complex characters and weighty themes make for a rich and rewarding reading experience.
It’s a timeless story that continues to resonate in our current cultural moment. In conclusion, I highly recommend The Man I Love to anyone who appreciates well-crafted prose, nuanced characters, and thought-provoking themes.
While it may not be a book for everyone, those who are willing to invest the time and emotional energy will be richly rewarded. On a scale of one to ten, I give The Man I Love a solid nine for its exceptional writing and depth of insight.
