SILVER LOVE

In Murray’s debut
novel, four lesbian friends navigate the romantic landscape of their senior
years and support one another through hardships.

A group of women
takes a trip to New Orleans, expecting an invigorating weekend of good food and
music, and although their ages range from 58 to 69, they all share a passion
for life. Dory and Robby have been romantic partners for more than 20 years; the
former is spontaneous and sometimes absent-minded, while the latter is
practical and protective. Charlene is a down-to-earth
former judge from humble beginnings who’s now running for State House representative;
at the French Quarter Music Festival, a romance blossoms between her and a courteous
woman named Lee Childs. Jill Hunt, the youngest and wildest of the group, is a
sharp-witted woman with an inheritance who’s currently seeing a much younger
woman. However, it soon becomes apparent that the women have secrets, involving
the success of Dory’s new book, the details of Jill’s money management, and the
legitimacy of Charlene’s past employment. As the women face the consequences of
deception, betrayal, and blackmail, their bonds become more important than
ever. Murray alternates the focus between the four main women, extensively
developing each character. Her depiction of their interactions, both platonic
and romantic, makes for entertaining reading. The romantic moments vary in
tone, from the serious, steadfast intimacy of established partners to the
infatuation of a casual affair, enlivened by several explicitly erotic scenes.
Despite the gravity of the characters’ situations and their resulting emotional
lows, the tone of the book is ultimately optimistic. Along the way, the author
provides bits of casual wisdom; for instance, in the subplot about Dory’s
journey as an author, Murray comments on the difficulties of breaking into
publishing. The text is also self-aware of how stories about older lesbians
don’t tend to receive a lot of mainstream attention. An older demographic may
be this book’s main audience, but it merits consideration by adults of any age.

A refreshingly
energetic novel featuring lovable heroines.