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.
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sounds great, i like mysteries
love it! enter me pls
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I really would like to win this book.
I would love to read this book. Thanks
Thanks for the chance, I read a little excerpt, and it seems like a cool book!
count me in please!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
Sounds like an interesting read.
I’d love to have this book. Thanks for the chance.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
I always like stories about transformation. Unfortunately in life this doesn’t happen as often! Thanks for the chance to win the book!
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This looks like a great book.
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Looks like a good book
Would love for a great summer read…..
This looks good. I need a new book to get into.
Please enter me in this great giveaway for Admission! Thanks!
Suzanne
quzy(at)mac(dot)com
Well, you made this book sound most intriguing!
I would love the chance to win it and read it.
I would love to win this, thanks.
This sounds like a fun summer read. I hope I haven’t already entered this contest. I couldn’t find an entry but it seems familiar. Thanks.
This sounds like a very interesting read
This sounds like a good read!
Sounds interesting. I would love to read it.
I would love to read this, it looks great!
I don’t read but my wife would like it.
I would love this!
Im still not quite sure exactly what its about..
but if I knew everything I wouldn’t have to read the book, right?
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
eswright18 at gmail dot com
I would love to have this!
enter me
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds like a great book.
Sounds like a terrific read – I love character-driven novels, and being in the academic world myself, I’m guessing I’ll find it easy to identify with the central character. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds intriguing. I need some new books and this one sounds like it will kee me busy reading.
I’m overdue for a good book. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to win one! 🙂
I read a good review of this book so I hope I win!
This sounds like a book which really leaves you feeling good.
I would love to read this book!
I would love to read Admission! Thanks!
Sounds good, thanks for the chance!
Admit me…to this contest!
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I’m very much interested in reading this!!
I would love to win this book. It sounds very interesting.
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway
please count me in 🙂
Sounds like a book I would enjoy a lot
Id like to read it
Thanks for the chance – sounds like an interesting book.
Please enter me!