Ellipses
A Novel
-
-
2.0 • 2 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
Set in the glossy world of New York City media, this sharp and witty debut novel follows a young woman caught in a toxic mentorship with an older, powerful executive as she grapples with career, belonging, and the complexity of modern relationships in the digital age.
Named a Best Book of 2024 So Far by Vogue, Elle, and Electric Lit
One of Autostraddle's Most Anticipated Queer Books for Spring 2024
One of Chill Subs's 38 Books We Can't Wait to Read
When cosmetics mogul Billie rolls down her town car window and offers Lily a ride home from a glitzy Manhattan gala, Lily figures this could be a useful professional connection. She’s heard of Billie’s storied rise as a business titan, the product of white New England privilege and one of the few queer women in a corner suite. Billie could be just the jolt Lily needs to manifest her next step.
A magazine writer, Lily interviews influencers, actresses, and fashion designers for her publication’s stylish pages, all while navigating office microaggressions. Stalled at work, she worries that her dream print career will soon succumb to the rise of social media. She is at a standstill, too, in her relationship with her girlfriend Alison. And Lily feels unable to voice her authenticity when others’ sliding perceptions of her mixed race and bisexual identity repeatedly drown her out.
Charming and hyperconfident, Billie seems invested in mentoring Lily out of her slump, from the screen of her phone. But their text exchanges and Billie’s relentless worldview begin to consume Lily’s life. Eager to impress her powerful guide, Lily is perpetually suspended in an ellipsis, waiting for those three gray dots to bloom into a new message from Billie.
Ellipses explores one woman’s struggle for wholeness, in a world shaped by digital half-lives and aspirational fantasies. In the end, this stunning debut novel reveals the rewards and challenges of forging an uncharted path on one’s own terms.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Lawrence's incisive debut, a queer 30-something magazine writer struggles to navigate her professional and romantic relationships. While reporting on a gala in a borrowed dress, Lily Michaels meets Billie Aston, chief creative officer of a prominent beauty company. Well-known for her power suits and ruthless attitude, Billie gives Lily her number and asks to see the article when it's published. From there, the two develop a fraught relationship in the "digital ether." Initially, Lily sees a mentorship opportunity, as Billie is one of the city's most powerful queer women. When Billie starts sending sexts, however, Lily becomes uneasy. While she knows she's lucky to have Billie's attention, she's also aware that the executive has "zero compunctions about dismantling another, younger threat." Lily, who has a reached a relationship plateau with her long-term girlfriend, Alison, must decide where her own values lie. Lawrence has an insider's understanding of the media world, and digs deep into such issues as sexism, racism, and ageism. This marks the arrival of a promising new voice.
