THE WRITING CIRCLE Makes a Good Round of Reading!

Discovering Corinne Demas first through herResearching George Frideric Handel, is Bernard, an
fabulous memoir, ELEVEN STORIES HIGH, andoverweight, unrestrained biographer who actually
then being charmed with her poetry and manyintroduces Nancy to the group. Bernard is so
children's books, such as the delightful holiday talewrapped up in himself that he is rather oblivious
about finding new friends in TWO CHRISTMASto the complicated emotions and feelings of other
MICE, Corinne Demas never fails to please heraround him. Bernard's ex-wife, Virginia, is a novelist
readers. THE WRITING CIRCLE, her newestand the comforting maternal figure of the group.
novel, is no exception. Drawing from her ownShe is always there to offer sympathy and
experience in writers' groups, teaching her craft,compassion to the group when friction occurs.
and writing so many wonderful books, CorinneIn the two single males, we find Adam, the
Demas gives readers a fascinating look at theyoungest of the group, and one that Virginia has
literary world that "outsiders" are normally nottaken under her wing, who has been working on a
privy to. THE WRITING CIRCLE leads readersnew novel for so long as he tries to draw from
through an interesting character study of a grouphis Master's Degree in Fine Arts project. Adam is
of writers and from there expands to includea melancholy and naive character suffering from
their families and shows how their complexunrequited love. Chris, the older of the two, is the
personal lives intertwine to produce complications,author of successful thrillers that he writes on a
romance, mystery, and betrayal.regular basis. He restrains himself as he tries to
Set in western Massachusetts, Demas's familiarmaintain his relationship with his two young sons
home base, the narrative is told using a differentthat are being played as pawns by his
point of view in each chapter, alternating betweenself-centered wife in a custody battle.
the various characters. I found this to be theFinally, there is the poet, Gillian, a possible Pulitzer
perfect way to follow the story by looking at allPrize candidate, who is the famous writer in the
sides of the issues and intricacies of thegroup, and whom everyone values for her work.
characters. The Leopardi Circle is the name of theHowever, some have had other relationships with
writing group that meets to share parts of theirGillian while another yearns for more. Gillian's
current work, be it fiction, poetry, or non-fiction.condescending personality and inexhaustible
The purpose being to gain constructive feedbackegotism drives the group mad as well as steers
that might improve each writer's work.the plot toward disaster.
The main character, Nancy Markopolis is theTHE WRITING CIRCLE draws the reader into the
newest member of the group who is asked tolives of the characters, and twists and turn just
join when one of their members dies. Nancy isenough to make one suspect where things are
tentative at first as she listens to the moreheading only to be shocked by such a startling
experienced writers, but she soon overcomesand stunning conclusion. Corinne Demas totally had
that as she learns more about each member.me for the entire novel and then absolutely
Hers is a novel of fiction which is drawn from anknocked me off my feet with the ending. DO
early memory of her beloved father and is basedNOT look at the last page, PLEASE, as the
on his early life and in a way, pays homage topleasurable build up to the climax of the book is a
him. Her personal life is in a good place right nowjourney you will take, in my opinion, in one sitting,
and little does she suspect what this newas you are so drawn in and you can't put down
association will do to tear her dreams to shreds.THE WRITING CIRCLE!