Reviews

"Blue Diary" by Alice Hoffman

There is always an element of magic in Alice Hoffman's books, and "Blue Diary" is no exception. Ms Hoffman has an uncanny ability to transform the most ordinary and mundane of settings into a stronghold of possibilities transcending the rigidity of normalcy.

This story of transformation takes place in the small town of Monroe, Massachusetts. A peaceful, small New England town boasting nothing extraordinary, Monroe is turned upside-down by news that a much beloved local hero, volunteer firefighter Ethan Ford, is wanted for a brutal murder committed years ago in Maryland.

Ethan seemed to have a charmed life; a loving, devoted wife, the respect of his fellow-firefighters and admiration of an entire town. As "Blue Diary" unfolds, however, the facade is peeled away revealing Ethan's true nature and the fallout from the lies upon which he based a life.

The effects of one man's deceit are far-reaching, touching most every aspect of life in Monroe. Facing a gut-wrenching moral dilemma, his wife Jorie is forced to choose between ignoring the truth to save her fairy tale existence or face the reality that her life and identity built over fifteen years of marriage was based entirely on lies.

"Blue Diary" is an intriguing look at the workings of relationships, truth and identity. It asks the reader to consider the actual cost of an idyllic tale life versus the worth of a life based entirely upon what is true. Hoffman proposes the uncomfortable notion that regret and remorse are some times not enough to warrant forgiveness, but nevertheless, life does go on.

Disturbing as elements of the storyline are, "Blue Diary" interestingly, is still a portrayal of courage, strength and personal power. There is no Hollywood-style resolution here, but Hoffman leaves the reader filled with hope and like the character Jorie, a bit stronger for the experience.