Elizabeth Taube is an orphan by neglect; her interior designer mother barely notices her, and her father is not around since her parents divorce. She is overweight and made fun of by her peers, so she accepts love and attention from whoever offers it. First is the owner of a fur shop who encourages her to play dress up while she watches, later a favorite teacher takes an interest in her. After a series of sexual encounters with boys (and a girl) her own age, Elizabeth finally finds a loving relationship with someone her own age. Unfortunately, her husband Huddie also happens to be black, and his family and the community are not accepting of their relationship.
Written mostly in the first person, Love Invents Us follows Elizabeth's relationships with the teacher and Huddie throughout the years. Readers of Amy Bloom's short fiction know that she is masterful at depicting the intricacies and complexities of human emotions. Bloom does her protagonist justice by not offering a happy ending, but the last sentence may leave the reader puzzled. Though at times morally disturbing (because of the themes of sexual abuse and the protagonists acceptance of some of her early relationships as normal), Love Invents Us is elegantly written.
Written mostly in the first person, Love Invents Us follows Elizabeth's relationships with the teacher and Huddie throughout the years. Readers of Amy Bloom's short fiction know that she is masterful at depicting the intricacies and complexities of human emotions. Bloom does her protagonist justice by not offering a happy ending, but the last sentence may leave the reader puzzled. Though at times morally disturbing (because of the themes of sexual abuse and the protagonists acceptance of some of her early relationships as normal), Love Invents Us is elegantly written.
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