Denny Denham es la secretaria y amante de Ernest Wright, psicoanalista. Denny también es amiga de Nancy, la esposa de Ernest ?toca con ella el piano a cuatro manos?, resuelve todos los problemas cotidianos de la familia y es la confidente de los hijos, como Ben, un quinceañero insoportable herido por la literatura que quiere ser poeta. Y, sobre todo, es la narradora de la historia. El Día de Acción de Gracias de 1969, Denny acude a la cena de los Wright, a la que asistirán la seductora Anne, anterior amiga íntima de Nancy, con la que tocaba el piano antes de marcharse de Springwell, y Jonah Boyd, su marido, un escritor casi consagrado, alcóholico redimido que está escribiendo su gran novela, esperada desde hace tiempo por su agente, y por la cual ha cobrado ya un anticipo. Y esa cena y los días que vendrán son el turbio corazón de la novela, el escenario del crimen. Aunque no haya un cadáver, y no se sepa hasta mucho tiempo después quién fue la víctima, y la causa y el origen de las heridas.

I wasn't sure how I was going to get through this story of a secretary to a psychiatrist. As the story opens, we learn that Judy "Denny" Denham was having an affair with Dr. Earnest Wright, married and father of three children. Dr. Wright's wife Nancy has always had a close relationship to a woman named Anne from a precious city in which both lived. Nancy was always comparing Denny to her previous friend Anne, although there was no similarity except that both played four-handed piano with Nancy. So...that part of this novel had almost no interest for me although it was well written. Later on, we learn than Anne and her second husband, Jonah Boyd are coming to visit. It was that visit that turned the novel around for me and made it a bit more mysterious. Jonah was an author who banked his celebrity status on his ability to finish and publish a novel which he had started in four notebooks. Alas, the notebooks completely disappear (or do they?), and this novel takes a bizarre turn.

This was not the kind of story I usually enjoy reading because it's about a secretary who looks in on the life of the very rich. This is just not my cup of tea. I was, however, interested in the strange story of what became of Jonah's notebooks and how it affected those around him. ( )

A strangely satisfying page turner about narrative, art and ownership, sex and friendship, belonging. ( )

The Body of Jonah Boyd , a novel by David Leavitt, published in 2004, is a story of the Wright family in Wellspring, California told by Ernest Wright’s secretary, Janet (Denny) Denham. It centers around a Thanksgiving meal in 1969. Ernest Wright is a psychology professor at the local college in Wellspring. This is a fictitious place modeled after Standford University. Denny is Mr. Wright’s secretary and she is invited to a Thanksgiving meal as one of the strays. The Wright’s invite some of the graduate students every year. Nancy finds out that Denny can play four hands at the piano so she becomes a regular visitor on Saturdays. Denny (Judith Denham) is having an affair with Ernest, plays piano with his wife Nancy, becomes Daphne’s and eventually Ben’s confidants and even becomes friend’s with Jonah Boyd’s daughter. In 1969, Nancy’s old friend, Anne who has remarried to an author Jonah Boyd visit. Jonah Boyd carries a single copy of his most recent book around in notebooks even though he is prone to lose them over and over. This is a story about the loss of this manuscript and the consequences that follow.
David Leavitt is an American author of several books including The Lost Languages of Cranes which is on the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. Leavitt is a professor at the University of Florida. He was sued for plagiarism in 1995. I read this book because it was a recommendation by Nancy Pearl. I purchased the book years ago and finally am getting it read. My book is a first edition. I don’t think it ever sold many copies but it is good.
I enjoyed the writing. The story is contemporary story that explores family relationships and sexual struggles with the main theme being the problem of authorship. It is mostly told by an observer who is able to connect with each of the family members to learn their stories. There is the title which creates tension immediately because somehow there is going to be a body. Slowly small points are revealed, constantly building suspense and the reader is pulled along to find out more. The reader does not find out what is the significance of the title until the very end. Leavitt is a good author. Reading his book Lost Languages of Cranes wasn’t high on my list of books I wanted to get to because of the subject matter but now that I have sampled this author I look forward to reading it. ( )

Very clever story aobut an author who loses his masterpiece. Well written and entertaining. Satisfying. ( )