Under the Influence: A Novel - Softcover

Maynard, Joyce

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062411535 ISBN 13: 9780062411532

Publisher: William Morrow, 2016

Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling author of Labor Day and After Her returns with a poignant story about the true meaning--and the true price--of friendship

Drinking cost Helen her marriage and custody of her seven-year-old son, Ollie. Once an aspiring art photographer, she now makes ends meet taking portraits of schoolchildren and working for a caterer. Recovering from her addiction, she spends lonely evenings checking out profiles on an online dating site. Weekend visits with her son are awkward; he’s drifting away from her, fast.

When she meets Ava and Swift Havilland, the vulnerable Helen is instantly enchanted. Wealthy, connected philanthropists, they have their own charity devoted to dogs. Their home is filled with fabulous friends, edgy art, and dazzling parties.

Then Helen meets Elliott, a kind, quiet accountant, who offers loyalty and love with none of her newfound friends’ fireworks. To Swift and Ava, he’s boring. But even worse than that, he’s unimpressed by them.

As Helen increasingly falls under the Havillands’ influence—running errands for them, doing their random chores, questioning her relationship with Elliott—Ava and Swift hold out the most seductive gift: their influence and help for Helen to regain custody of her son. But the debt she owes them is about to come due.

Ollie witnesses an accident involving Swift, Swift’s grown son, and the daughter of the Havillands’ housekeeper. With her child’s future in the balance, Helen must choose between the truth and the friends who have given her everything.

About this title

About the Author:

Joyce Maynard is the author of eight previous novels, including To Die For, Labor Day, The Good Daughters, and four books of nonfiction. Her bestselling memoir, At Home in the World, has been translated into sixteen languages. She lives in California.

Review:

“Maynard’s latest is illuminating and mesmerizing, highlight not only differing definitions of friendship, but the shades of gray between right and wrong and the lengths to which some will go to protect their self-interest.” (Publishers Weekly)

“My to-do list had umpteen items on it, but I let them all go to hell as I tore through Joyce Maynard’s latest page-turner. . . . To-do list? What to-do list? Under the Influence is a riveting read.” (Wally Lamb)

“It’s a story about the pull of consuming friendships, of seeking to escape into the lives of others, of possession and illusion — and you will not be able to put it down until Maynard herself releases you. Utterly captivating.” (Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Dare Me and The Fever)

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0062411535
• ISBN 13: 9780062411532
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336