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by Diana Wagman

A black comedy explores the line separating love and obsession in a story that begins in the aftermath of a three-car pileup in Los Angeles and intertwines the lives of a trio of motorists and a police officer. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

Diana Wagman is the author of five novels. Her second, Spontaneous, won the 2001 PEN West Award for Fiction. Her latest is Life #6 from Ig Publishing. She is an occasional contributor to the Los Angeles Times and has been published in many literary journals, most recently Black Clock and the n+1 anthology, MFA vs NYC.

Reviews

[Mollysusie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh... What says the most about how I feel about this book is that I lost it sometime during the middle of reading it, and it took me awhile to try to find it again. The story never really clicked with me, perhaps because my reading it was spread out over several months. There was too much of people just kinda running around, looking for other people, finding them, leaving them, then running around looking for them again. All with suicidal tendiencies. I found it anxiety-inducing and depressing, which would be fine if the story was better.

It was alright. I liked Jenny the best.

[Robin Malcomson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Think Pulp Fiction. Quentin Tarantino. Independent film. Odd and Dark.

This book wasn't quite my thing....but I can see why a lot of people might like it. It reads like a movie. It is the story of three people who's cars collide in an accident, plus the policeman on the scene. It is not about their relationship....it is about their individual lives over the next 36 hours. Weird, Dark, Raw.

[Audrie Bouwmeester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkably detailed story! Nothing is missing - all the pieces are there. Wagman captures your imagination, forces you to believe that suicide might be an option then firmly rejects it in its end. The skill of this writer makes this novel a must read. I found myself reading almost in physical discomfort with the subject matter, but I praise the talent of this writer - she writes with control.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

After an automobile accident the author follows the lives of the people involved (spoiler alert) until a 2nd automobile accident changes everything. This was quite acharacter study, however I really didn't like any of the people except the Suicide Cop.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dark book. Not sure how I learned about it. It was a little hard to get into. I finished it, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. It all starts with an automobile accident and follows the lives of those involved. Not to give too much away, but in the end they all converge.

[James Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Diana Wagman novel, and the one where I fell in love with her dark dark humor and sensibility. It's Los Angeles, but a City of No Angels. Strange, haunting characters, desperate situations we can all relate to, and much much more. Love it.

[Rossana Snee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was generally pretty good. It kept me reading. It also made me think about how much our lives are interconnected and how one event can affect so many people in different ways. The ending felt a little rushed, but overall the book was good.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting cast of characters and how their lives unravel and come together after a car accident in L.A.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, solid writing. I look forward to reading more Wagman.

[Annetraeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Says so much about human nature and fate. It is a MUST READ!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in several days - couldn't put it down. You get so into the characters' lives that you want to know what will happen with them next.

[michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little dark... actually extremely dark... but totally worth reading.

[Emily Rosenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

TIght, intelligent prose

[Marianne McKiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange, likable in the way one likes Quentin Tarantino and Cohen Brothers movies. Interesting. Odd. A little creepy. Parts will stay with me for a long time.

[Robanne Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read and subject matter. I liked how all the characters were connected but felt it ended without good resolutions.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do authors come up with their themes. This one was definitely not a happy one. Yet strangely a good read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark humourous novel about four people connected to a car accident. The policeman collects suicide notes; no comment required on this! This book became the movie 'Crash' which I did not find funny.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book - the twists and turns were great.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read, but too dark for me.