Exposure

by Talitha Stevenson

“Rich and psychologically astute . . . refracts the life of an upper-middle-class English family . . . through the prism of a single, scandalous affair.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)Prominent lawyer Alistair Langford has worked hard to achieve his immense ambitions, but in the course of just one evening he recklessly destroys everything. The scandal threatens his marriage and exposes a secret he has hidden his entire adult life.Meanwhile, his son Luke, who has led a privileged life but also has worked hard to achieve his own success, has fallen in love with a beautiful actress. When she suddenly leaves him, he plummets into a dangerous depression. His ideals in tatters, he seeks a kind of redemption by taking in two asylum seekers from Kosovo, whose struggles contrast starkly and poignantly with his own.A deftly plotted, highly suspenseful, and astutely observed morality tale, Exposure explores the dangerous pleasure of offering charity, the effects of deceit and shame on a rigidly complacent family, and the nature of love among family and friends.“A rich, deep and mesmerizing novel that simultaneously projects a sense of casual grace and of inexorability.” —Jay McInerney“An unapologetic love story, reminding us first of our fragility and then of the ability to forgive.” —Entertainment Weekly“Class consciousness, sexual obsession, and familial issues make for queasy yet engaging bedfellows in Exposure . . . Stevenson writes with a careful grace, and an emotional honesty that is wise well beyond her 28 years.” —New York Post“[Exposure] confirms the young English author’s uncanny flair for psychological plots.” —Vogue

Genres: Fiction

546 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her descriptions are so vived and emotive. I love them!

[ANTC · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up, purely based on my enjoyment. The writing quality was good, but this was a very woman's fiction focused book, so lots of side characters and plots and boring prose. I skimmed a lot. The husband was definitely remorseful in this one, and this is one of the few cheating books where I believe the HEA and didn't hate the husband at the end. What's bringing down the rating is the fact that this book is very very long with a lot of stuff and introspections that I didn't care about.

I'm rounding up to 3 stars instead of 2 stars due to the fact that the author handled the cheating plot super well. I need this replicated in other books. When the husband cheats - and it's on page - he's not blinded by lust or inconsolable passion or emotional attachments, instead he's doing it for reasons we understand that relate to his past and needing to do something crazy. We get his POV throughout, and thankfully, unlike in other cheating books, we know for sure that the cheating was only one time, that he didn't even enjoy the sex, and that he has better sex with his wife.

I've read so many cheating books where the OW is some sexpot where the husband has the best sex of his life, but then returns to the wife because family and emotional attachments. I hate that!!! Thankfully, the husband receives satisfaction in both respects from his wife.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this one, but I also couldn't stop reading it. That's a good author for you.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember how I came across this book. Maybe because the write-up makes it sound so much more exciting than it actually is? Not that I need a ton of action in a book, but this one veered a little too much towards the introspective a few too many times. the characters are kind of sticking with me, though, which is a good sign. Reading as much as I do I tend to really quickly forget books if they don't resonate. I guess maybe I like this one more than it seemed at the time I was reading it??

[Jeannine · Rating 1 out of 5]

AWFUL!!!

[Melissa Chown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much introspection and not enough plot for me.

[Gretel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A psychologically rich novel with interesting relationships and character development. I also enjoyed Stevenson's use of imagery.

[Hilary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfinished

[Cathryn]

Realized I already read this. It seems it's not memorable.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long, windy, interesting book. Full of nooks and crannies and perfect for a rainy day in. Well-rounded ending.