The Goddesses
A Novel
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
"A haunting story of betrayal and forgiveness" (Kirkus) about a woman who moves her family to Hawaii, only to find herself wrapped up in a dangerous friendship, from the celebrated author of We Could Be Beautiful.
When Nancy and her family arrive in Kona, Hawaii, they are desperate for a fresh start. Nancy's husband has cheated on her; they sleep in separate bedrooms and their twin sons have been acting out, setting off illegal fireworks. But Hawaii is paradise: they plant an orange tree in the yard; they share a bed once again and Nancy resolves to make a happy life for herself. She starts taking a yoga class and there she meets Ana, the charismatic teacher. Ana has short, black hair, a warm smile, and a hard-won wisdom that resonates deeply within Nancy. They are soon spending all their time together, sharing dinners, relaxing in Ana's hot tub, driving around Kona in the cute little car Ana helps Nancy buy. As Nancy grows closer and closer to Ana—skipping family dinners and leaving the twins to their own devices she feels a happiness and understanding unlike anything she's ever experienced, and she knows that she will do anything Ana asks of her. A mesmerizing story of friendship and manipulation set against the idyllic tropical world of the Big Island, The Goddesses is a stunning psychological novel by one of our most exciting young writers.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Huntley's (We Could Be Beautiful) second novel is an engaging account of a middle-aged woman's journey for an identity apart from her family. Nancy Murphy moves from San Diego to Hawaii with her husband, Chuck, and their twin sons after he has an affair. In search of transformation, she tries a yoga class, where she connects with the magnetic teacher, Ana. The two begin a friendship, and Nancy is drawn in by Ana's stories of battling cancer and her rough past. She joins Ana in her quest to reverse her karma, and soon the two declare themselves goddesses in their quest for reinvention. Nancy's sons and husband feel neglected as she gets closer to Ana and allows her to move in with her family when her cancer returns. However, Ana's behavior grows suspicious, culminating in an ill-fated revenge plot that has fatal consequences. Though the characters lack substantial depth, readers will be pulled along by the quick-moving story.