Housebroken

Lydia Burton was an editor and writer living in Toronto, and was co-author of Editing Canadian English.

This first novel by poet Leona Gom begins slowly, but gathers momentum as it moves through its tragic scenario. At one level, it is a penetrating examination of a short but close relationship between two women on both sides of 40. At another it is a psychological thriller that follows a tragic path through fantasy and fact, innocence and guilt.

Gom has used a clever device to reveal the feelings and associations between the two women. As the story opens, Susan is dead, and her husband (with whom Ellen has had a secret and fleeting but intense affair) brings to Ellen all of Susan’s diaries including the one composed over the period of the affair. As Ellen reluctantly immerses herself in her friend’s private thoughts, she shares her own story and interpretations. The result is an interesting alternation between Ellen’s narration and Susan’s writings.

It is not always clear, however, whether Susan has told the truth. Evidently, Ellen had discovered some things about Susan before she died and never confronted her with them. Now that she has Susan’s diaries, how much of Susan’s past will be revealed?

Housebroken isa well written and relentless exploration of the processes of love and friendship.