Banishing Verona by Margot Livesey was a lyrical love story. Zeke is a slightly odd London painter who is tricked into letting the very pregnant Verona spend the night at his clients' house. They have an almost instant, yet tenuous, connection that is abruptly ended when Verona leaves after just two days. The rest of the novel jumps back and forth from Zeke's and Verona's perspective. Most of Verona's sections start prior in time to where the previous Zeke section began, giving the reader a jarring sense of catch-up. Zeke is a bit strung along by Verona's harried plans and there are many missed connections, but the experience helps Zeke to grow as a person.
The fact that Zeke and Verona became so committed to each other after just one meeting is highly unrealistic, but I suppose romantic. The characters are a bit quirky, which perhaps adds to the high level of commitment that develops at the drop of a hat. What Livesey does best is character development. She so discreetly shows the mind of a man living with Aspergers, although she never directly reveals this detail. The narratives from his viewpoint are eye-opening as to what an adult in his situation might have to go through on a daily basis. While it is just a classic romance with a quirky twist, the prose is effortless and, therefore, a smooth and enjoyable read.
The fact that Zeke and Verona became so committed to each other after just one meeting is highly unrealistic, but I suppose romantic. The characters are a bit quirky, which perhaps adds to the high level of commitment that develops at the drop of a hat. What Livesey does best is character development. She so discreetly shows the mind of a man living with Aspergers, although she never directly reveals this detail. The narratives from his viewpoint are eye-opening as to what an adult in his situation might have to go through on a daily basis. While it is just a classic romance with a quirky twist, the prose is effortless and, therefore, a smooth and enjoyable read.
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