Innocence

by Louis B. Jones

A beautifully written book set in Marin County, Innocence is a philosophical novel that follows John Gegenuber, a former Episcopal priest who has given up his parish and vocation to become a real estate agent. After having corrective surgery for a cleft palate, John has been invited to go on a romantic weekend trip to a secluded country estate with Thalia, a young woman who has undergone the same cosmetic surgery.

Their transformational weekend together is tested in the sudden and premature labor of a young pregnant woman who lives at the estate. Stranded with only common sense to guide them, faith and instinct become paramount for the mother and her newborn.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Louis B. Jones is the author of three New York Times Notable Books - Ordinary Money (Viking 1990, Penguin 1991), Particles and Luck (Pantheon 1993, Vintage 1994), and California’s Over (Pantheon 1997, Vintage 1998). His newest novel, Radiance, will be published by Counterpoint Press May 2011. He is an NEA fellow and a fellow of the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. He has written screenplays – originals and adaptations of his own work – for studios and for independents. He's been a regular reviewer for the New York Times Book Review and has served as visiting writer at a number of colleges around the country. For some years he has acted as the Fiction Director for the Squaw Valley Community of Writers.

Reviews

[Leslie Reiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

So well and cleverly written that it makes up for a rather disappointing second-half of the novel. I'll definitely be reading more of this author.

[Linda Dickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads. Interesting evolution of a former Episcopal Priest into a real estate career with a healthy sideline of truth seeking, hopelessly hopeful romantic and resolution of the faithful.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

this has been the worst book I've read so far this year!

[Sharon Cockroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine, fine writing !

[Kathie Deviny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get into it. Couldn't understand why a former priest was living so aimlessly. To be fair, I didn't read enough to find out the backstory.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, but there was more to the story that I wish would have been told.