The Innocents by Francesca Segal

 

Adam Newman is twenty-eight, a soon to be partner in an investment firm in London and about to be married.  He has known Rachel all his life and they have been dating since high school.  He works for Rachel's father's firm and their social life includes many family functions and gatherings where he knows everyone since their part of London is full of the people he has known all his life.  Adam is excited and feels that he is about to make the final move towards his adult life.  He thinks Rachel will be the perfect wife and the fact that he knows and loves all her family as she does his makes the prospect even more appealing.

Then it happens.  Rachel's cousin, Ellie, comes back to London from New York.  Ellie's mother was killed in a terrorist attack in Israel when she was a young girl and she grew up in Rachel's house.  She is a model and there are rumors that her life has gone off the track.  Her college has asked her to leave.  She has been in an adult film.  She may have been involved with a scandalous older man whose affairs are now being publicized during his messy divorce. 

Regardless, when Adam sees Ellie, he feels an instant connection.  He feels guilty but feels compelled to find situations where he can see her.  He starts to look at Rachel differently, seeing her as provincial rather than his dream partner.  When his attraction is returned by Ellie, Adam must make a decision.  Which woman will he make his life with?

This is Francesca Segal's debut novel and it has been quite successful.  It was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction and won the Costa First Novel award as well as the National Jewish Book Award For Fiction.  She was the person behind the Observer's Debut Fiction column.  The characters in this novel are finely drawn and caught up in a dilemma that many young people face; should they strike out for a life totally new or settle into a life very similar to that of their family?  This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.