Sense of Paper

by: Taylor Holden

Published by: Bantam

Review by Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN) Librarian

Reporter Charlie Hudson, now in her 40s, is back in London after some grueling and dangerous years covering world conflicts, recovering from physical and emotional wounds she received in Kosovo four years earlier.

In London, Charlie comes across painter Sir Alan Matheson, who suggests she write a book on paper, art paper manufacture in England and the work of Turner. He provides her with research ideas, contacts, and shows her his small and precious collection of Whatman papers, the same ones Turner used.

As Charlie gets to know Sir Alan, she discovers disquieting facts about his daughter Angela, dead of a drug overdose; and his first wife, still somewhat mentally unstable. She is reminded of her beloved grandfather, also a painter, and her own suicide attempt. The parallels in their lives both repel and attract Charlie to Alan.

Charlie's patient husband Nick, who has lived apart from her for years, and her best friend Carrie, try to provide a stable backdrop for Charlie, and what they see as a possibly problematic relationship. As Charlie's book, Paper Chase, is finished, and their relationship draws them closer together, several startling and frightening events in the lives of the lovers change them forever.

Taylor Holden was a journalist for the Daily Telegraph, covering Northern Ireland, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. This is her first novel.

Armchair Interviews says: Lots of clues about relationships Charlie Hudson ignores.