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Trust Exercise

Trust Exercise (Henry Holt & Co.) by Susan Choi is a challenge when it comes to making sense of it all, but I highly recommend it for book groups as it allows for interesting discussion.

The book is in three distinct parts, similar to Assymetry by Lisa Halliday. Part One is narrated by Sarah, a student at a high school for the performing arts. She and David, another student, are in a budding romantic relationship, with typical teenage angst and miscommunication. Their theater teacher, Mr. Kingsley, takes notice, and uses the power and respect he has from his students to interfere by creating inappropriate situations — trust exercises — in the classroom that, for the students and the reader, feel uncomfortable and abusive in nature. Visiting high school kids and their young adult teacher from England join the activities and odd relationships and unconventional friendships form.

Part Two of Trust Exercise is narrated by “Karen,” another student at the school, who may or may not really be who she says she is. Her recount of all that occurred in the performing arts high school is very different from Sarah’s, and as readers we are challenged to understand who is telling the truth. The question of consent comes up in each relationship author Susan Choi writes about, whether it is between two students, or a student and teacher.

Part Three takes place years ahead and seems unrelated until the very end where we see how the entire story is tied together. Trust Exercise is a story about coming of age at a performing arts high school where all things physical and sexual are confusing, and communication can be misleading. Inappropriate use of power is at the heart of this book, and relationships and affairs that happen with the students during this important time of maturity have an impact on their entire lives.

Who narrates this story and how reliable are they? These questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to examining Trust Exercise, but the process of searching for the truth in this work of fiction is worth the time. I enjoyed discussing this one with my book group.

Genre: Book Club Network, Fiction
Publisher: Serpent's Tale
ISBN: 9781788161690
Jennifer Blankfein

Jennifer Gans Blankfein is a freelance marketing consultant and book reviewer. She graduated from Lehigh University with a Psychology degree and has a background in advertising. Her experience includes event coordination and fundraising along with editing a weekly, local, small business newsletter. Jennifer loves to talk about books, is an avid reader, and currently writes a book blog, Book Nation by Jen. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two sons and black lab.

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