FICTION

Exposure

Zibby. Sept. 2024. 368p. ISBN 9781958506677. $27.99. F
COPY ISBN
Set in Chicago, Dellaira’s (In Search of Us) adult debut pulsates with the city’s energy. It offers readers familiar with the area strong sensory, sensual reference points that are depicted with enough details for the audience to feel at home in Juliette’s, Annie’s, Noah’s, and Jesse’s worlds. Beginning in 2004 with characters clinging to each other in high school, the book expands as their lives and identities do. That’s especially the case when Noah succeeds as a filmmaker in Hollywood—an accomplishment that unfolds and unfurls through the complex, dynamic relationships driven by grief and desire. This successful grown-up departure from Dellaira’s YA fiction brings readers into the beautiful, messy worlds and words of the four people at the center of the story. The novel is told from their perspectives as their lives became entwined through chance and through the obstacles they face while they pursue and experience various chapters in their lives.
VERDICT Dellaira’s novel will appeal to Sally Rooney fans for its emotional depth and to Danzy Senna readers for its exploration of the complex intersections between and interpretations of race, class, gender, and power in relationships.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?