If you happen to be one of those people who ignore the common advice and judge a book by its cover anyway, don’t let this somewhat plain-looking cover fool you. Enclosed in between the simple layout is one complex story, centered around one complicated protagonist. Admission, by Jean Hanff Korelitz, is the story of Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton University, whose life is transformed before our very eyes as the novel progresses.
The fog that Portia has been living under for quite some time has become such a regular part of the background that when we are introduced to her at the onset of the story, she isn’t even aware of it. As the reader, we can sense a dull ache or a plodding pace of her life, although she is apparently oblivious. As the plot unfolds, we are given bits and pieces of information about the past that Portia has been actively pushing to the back recesses of her mind, and we are witness to the inevitable changes that result from some major life upheavals that come her way.
Does this all sound a little vague? Well, yes, I guess it does, but I really don’t want to give away any plot lines because I’m hoping that the intrigue will make you run out and get this book immediately! While some of the ‘mystery’ surrounding Portia’s past gets easier to figure out as the story goes on, the complete picture of her experiences doesn’t get filled in until late in the novel, and the emotions involved make the journey a challenging one for her. Portia fills the shoes of my favorite type of fictional character- conflicted, complex, and not necessarily always sure of herself. After spending so long living in that fog, Portia’s reawakening to life is refreshing even while it’s painful and difficult to watch. The admissions that Portia is confronted with– professionally and personally, in both senses of the word– make for an intriguing and intense novel.
With three kids and never enough hours in the day, Dawn wonders if it’s possible to read in her sleep. When she’s not reading or changing diapers, she’s blogging away at my thoughts exactly.
Hachette Book Group has offered 5 copies of this book (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses). Leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be eligible to win this book.
Click on the banner above to enter our other Summer Fun Giveaways. All winners will be announced on June 11.
I’d love to read how Portia comes to terms with her problems and solves them. Thanks.
I actually like the cover and it intrigues me. Combined with your review, I want to read this book!
lookss like a good read.
Please enter me in the giveaway
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This sounds like a great mystery!
I’d love to win! Thanks!
Now I want to see what’s inside the cover!
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
accoupons at gmail dot com
sign me up
ooh this book sounds wonderful!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to read this book!!
Looks great! Thanks for sharing~
sounds like another book of twists and turns. I would love to win!
I’m intrigued. I’m always up for a good book.
southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to win this to read under a tree!
[email protected]
this looks like a great read.
This sounds very cool! Thanks for sharing!
I think that this book would be very interesting to read. Most of us fall into a kind of dull monotony and become so used to it that we are unaware of when we stopped chasing our dreams.
This book sounds so mysterious. I would love the chance to read this book over the summer!
Sounds like a good book.
You have peaked my interest!
Yes, I would have passed this one right by. Of course, I work at a university, so Porcia’s story may be very interesting for me. count me in!!!!
I love a great read!
I would love to win this! 🙂
I have always judged a book by it’s cover. I like the simplicity of this one!
smchester at gmail dot com
LOL – guilty! When I’m looking for a good book, I only look at white, silver, gold, red, and black covers. I would never have given this one a second look. But it DOES sound good!
Intrigue me 🙂
That sounds so intriguing…and, I loved the cover.
Sounds like a good read!
This sounds like a fascinating book!
I subscribe via google reader
Thanx for the contest
Sounds interesting…not normally something that I would pick up, but you’ve gotten my interest!
After dealing with academia twnety years, I am quite interested in a new perspective profesionally!
Looks like an exciting read!
Looks like a great read
enter me!
i would like to read this book
I’d love to win!
I am in a major reading rut and would love something new to read!
You have really got my curiosity piqued! I would love the chance to find out the mystery! Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
I would love to see this.
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net
I would love to read this.
Thanks,
darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win!
sounds great enter me please
Count me in:)
This looks like a great summer read- one of which I’d like to have!