Adherence: A Romance

by Ben Nickol

A man in a troubled marriage tries to learn from the example of his charismatic friend, a bestselling author who hasn't abandoned his youthful convictions. A story of divergent paths, Adherence examines characters pushed to the limits of what they can understand, one struggling with suburban life while the other wrestles with self-image and artistic devotion. Set throughout Chicago and shadowed by race and class, this short novel is a rich portrait of the public and private divides that define American life.

143 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Ben Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished it in a single weekend, which is always a sign of a great book! The story follows 2 couples, one just beginning and one very established, whose lives are loosely intertwined. Their troubles, quarrels, and attempts (or lack of attempt) to work through their issues all felt very convincing. Rather than a lovey-dovey, love-can-conquer-all type of romance story, this feels like a more realistic view into a set of modern relationships.