An Empty Room: A Novel

by Talitha Stevenson

Unlike typical coming-of-age novels, An Empty Room looks at youthful cynicism and narcissism seriously. Twenty-seven-year-old Talitha Stevenson does not patronize the emotional lives of her characters with glib humor, coy wit, or fanciful nostalgia. Inspired by her own experience of growing up too fast among families affected by divorce, Stevenson’s debut questions our perceptions of sexual intimacy as an endlessly renewable resource and asks if it is possible to simply use it up. Nineteen-year-old Emily lives a carefree life filled with swinging parties, plenty of drugs and alcohol, and sex with Tom, the seemingly perfect boyfriend. But when the luster of wild nights begins to fade, Emily is left jaded and directionless. Unwilling to accept the only futures she knows—whether it be the misery and jealousy of Tom's divorced parents or the hushed tensions that envelop her own parents' marriage—she begins a quest for a more genuine intimacy. The search leads her into a complex affair with the affable yet mysterious Simon, who is married. As their relationship approaches the breaking point, Emily is forced to make the same decisions regarding love, loyalty, and betrayal that are at the heart of the unraveling relationships of her parents and their friends.

Genres: Fiction

218 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

quick read - just took the morning.

It was intense. a lot happened.
and then it just...ended.
I should have realized that going in, it was only like 200 pages. Just enough time for the story to get good - it all just happened - and then the story is over.
like, "this is what i did. the end."
Had it kept going, I would have liked it more.

[Kylie Gallick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I felt the book was ok. The story was set up to end really well but then didn’t. There were so many opportunities to expand on the relationship with Simon and Emily or even the “interactions” between Tom and Ellie. I could see from a mile away something was going to happen between Tom and Ellie, but I felt it could’ve been dragged out a little more. It would’ve been crazy if Tom and Ellie started seeing each other and if some sort of plot was developed around that. The ending of Simon and Emily’s relationship was very short and blunt. There was no explanation really about the conversation Rachael and Simon had but rather just a “that’s it folks” type of situation😂 I feel like if the book was longer there could of been more opportunities for conflict and chaos, twists and turns, but to be fair, the book was only 200ish pages. At the end of the day, I’m glad that Ellie and Emily were able to reconnect and have each other at the end of the day.

[Tilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I got brought this book because the author and I have the same first name and it's not the most common first name!

I didn't enjoy it, I mean I finished it, so I didn't hate it, but I didn't find the writing style the easiest to follow, I didn't like any of the characters and the story was minimal then it just ended without a real ending.

[tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m literally not sure how I feel about this book. It is beautifully written but the story is ultimately very sad and I had a hard time understanding the motivations behind the actions of the characters.

[Alyssa Gryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed, it, quick easy read

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book draws you in, with its
strong internal dialogue & sexiness...
until it gets to the under belly of the plot.
It then becomes almost unbearable, the main character
Emily is so miserable & falls in love with the cliche "irresistible married man!" I could hardly set it
down, then once finished hardly look at it.

BAD ENDING.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

some convincing capture of life as a late teens british girl, spending her summer looking for something more engaging than her comfortable but dysfunctional family life. but did leave me hoping for more - flash forward a few decades and tell us how the characters were all doing (always welcome with the final credits in films).

[Brooke Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I got this book on a fluke after Christmas at borders. It was on sale for like 3.99 so I bought it. It was WELL worth it! I couldn't put it down. So beautifully written. I definitely would like to read more of the authors books.

[Fawn Rasmussen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit boring but some parts are interesting. It was a short book, thank f*ck for that.

[Janah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping! Had me crying by the end of the chapter.

[Helen Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not a plot-driven novel, the characters were very well-written and the language was rich and pleasurable, like drinking melted Belgian chocolate. An atmospheric coming-of-age novel.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read...kind of strange plot. I couldn't really identify with the characters, but the story moved quickly and kept me interested.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read before my nineteenth birthday... never fails to amaze me. It's so beautiful. 🌸

[Alan Pottinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice unchallenging read, good relationship dynamics throughout, well worth wasting a few hours on