Paul by Daisy Lafarge was an incredible, atmospheric character study that explores the uncomfortable, terrified, knowing and (often) conditioned mind of a young woman, Frances, as she navigates life and, specifically, her proximity to an older man, Paul.

I was so angry reading this. Protective of Frances and aware of how deftly Daisy Lafarge was able to show this very real and all to common dynamic. I was upset for what Frances was losing, and how little anyone could or WOULD do, despite knowing the truth. I was hurt, as I think many women will be, because a younger me was let down in this same way. By myself and by those around me.

This book is so good, and so layered. It subtly shows the ways in which history repeats itself and the narrative of purity and youth as a call to men is central to patriarchal power, and control, but also the ways in which young girls are groomed by the world around them, and by men, to become the slightly older young women that will carry such desirability. The older women in the story seem to come from a sense of knowing, having passed out of the palpability of youth and weathered those storms. Sometimes this knowing leads to empathy, and warning, but not always. The world, on the whole, finds men’s actions more digestible or acceptable even than the discomfort of what he is creating. Wow this hit a nerve! What an impactful read.

This was incredible and so insightful. An absolute must read, for the Summer. Thank you so much, Riverhead Books for gifting me this copy. I devoured it! ( )