"Trenton Makes" is a story about Abe Kunstler - a woman who kills her husband and then assumes a male identity to hide from the law and society. As Abe stays in the same city he grew up and killed the husband in, he needs to be ever vigilant in case someone recognises him and exposes his façade.
He finds a lonely, semi-alcoholic dancer, Inez, with whom he forms a relationship and eventually has a child with. The book then jumps several decades to Abe's relationship with his son and the toll that the years of pretending have taken on him.
I have to say that this book was hard-going in places. Several times I had to re-read chapters to make sure I understood what was going on! The character definition was good, although I felt that Inez was a very hazily sketched character and I would have liked to have known more about her. The other main characters of Art (Abe's son), Jacks (his friend) and his fellow factory workers were believable. I found it difficult to empathise with Abe after a few chapters in, but I presume that this was what the author intended.
The book raised questions on gender stereotypes and beliefs which were interesting. The ending was left a little unresolved for me.
He finds a lonely, semi-alcoholic dancer, Inez, with whom he forms a relationship and eventually has a child with. The book then jumps several decades to Abe's relationship with his son and the toll that the years of pretending have taken on him.
I have to say that this book was hard-going in places. Several times I had to re-read chapters to make sure I understood what was going on! The character definition was good, although I felt that Inez was a very hazily sketched character and I would have liked to have known more about her. The other main characters of Art (Abe's son), Jacks (his friend) and his fellow factory workers were believable. I found it difficult to empathise with Abe after a few chapters in, but I presume that this was what the author intended.
The book raised questions on gender stereotypes and beliefs which were interesting. The ending was left a little unresolved for me.