Book Review: The Fiction Class by Susan Breen
As a lifelong book lover, I stumbled upon The Fiction Class during a particularly introspective moment, drawn in by its promise of witty insights and relatable struggles. Susan Breen’s novel features Arabella Hicks, a middle-aged writer and teacher, whose life is both relatable and disarmingly charming. The premise struck a chord with me—the intertwining of fiction with the realities of imperfect familial relationships, especially when it involves a complicated mother-daughter dynamic.
At the heart of the narrative is Arabella, whose enthusiasm for literature and teaching is dulled by her own stagnant writing career and the daily challenges of visiting her ailing mother, Vera, in a nursing home. Breen weaves these two threads together beautifully: on one hand, we see Arabella’s passion for literature, attempting to guide her adult students—each grappling with their own stories—while on the other, she faces the emotional turmoil of her frayed relationship with her mother. The progression of the story through weekly classes provides a unique structure, allowing us to see how Arabella’s teaching methods not only inspire her students but inadvertently catalyze self-discovery and healing within herself and her mother.
Breen’s writing is warm and engaging, filled with humor and poignant moments that balance the heavier themes of aging and familial strife. Her characters are vivid and memorable; from the quirky students in Arabella’s class to the fiercely independent Vera, the ensemble adds depth and vibrancy to the narrative. One particularly striking moment is when Vera expresses the brutal truth, “Just because we’re family, doesn’t mean we have to like each other.” This stark honesty resonated deeply, reflecting real-life complexities that often get overlooked in literature.
Among the class exercises that Breen includes—inviting the reader to engage with the writing process—it’s remarkable to see how they mirror Arabella’s own journey toward inspired creativity. The humor, honesty, and relatable struggles she faces as a writer feel almost like a conversation with a good friend venting about work and family, which is part of what makes the reading experience so enjoyable.
As I turned the final pages, I was left feeling uplifted yet contemplative. It’s a novel that perfectly encapsulates the intricacies of relationships and the universal journey of self-discovery through storytelling. If you have a complicated relationship with your mother, as many do, or if you’re drawn to books about the art of writing, The Fiction Class will undoubtedly resonate with you.
In closing, Susan Breen captures the essence of navigating personal and familial challenges with humor, sincerity, and insight. This book reminds us of the power of narrative—not just in fiction, but also in how we approach our own lives. If you’re looking for a book that intertwines a love for literature with the messy reality of human relationships, then The Fiction Class is a delightful read that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the cover.