From a debut novelist
Debra Curtis’ debut novel, Laws of Love and Logic, was released in February of this year.
Six years ago, our writing group read an early draft. At that time the manuscript was titled Asking the Birds for Forgiveness.
The published work’s title and its cover evoke a love story, but there’s so much more to this novel. It speaks to the human condition of convincing ourselves we’ve moved on when in fact a piece of us is stuck in the past.
Catholicism vs. Feminism
The Webb family live on the grounds of a monastery. The monks run a boy’s boarding school where Mr. Webb teaches science. His daughters attend a Catholic grammar school on an adjacent property. Lily is interested in the saints and their voyage to martyrdom while Jane is obsessed with mathematical equations. Mrs. Webb, active in the 1970’s feminist movement, encourages her daughters to question what they are taught and engage with the world beyond their somewhat secluded existence. When tragedy strikes, the girls find ways to cope with their grief, but it never fully leaves them.
Lily attends the public high school and dates the captain of the football team. Their relationship is intimate. “Her love for him was unmatched.” But one fateful night their future is irrevocably changed.
As an adult Lily continues to struggle with the past and leans into her childhood faith for answers. A priest tells her, “You have to be careful with guilt. If you let it, it will set up residence in your bones.” Still plagued by the philosophical questions of what is right and wrong, and whether we should ask for forgiveness, Lily escapes into the world of ornithology. “Her quiet world of books, butterflies, and birds was imploding.”
The relationship between sisters
Lily and Jane’s close relationship is a constant throughout their lives, including their love of literature.
“…‘Remember how Father Zosima’s dying brother asked the birds to forgive him?’ sighed. That part of the book had stuck with her. ‘Ask the birds for forgiveness.’
Lying on the bed, with the phone to her ear, Lily thought, Sweet sparrow, forgive me. I have sinned.
‘Dostoevsky believed that each of us is guilty before everyone and everything,’ said Jane, quoting Brothers Karamazov.
…Switching the phone to the other ear, Lily said, ‘Slow down.’ Then added, ‘Do you believe that?’
… Lily wondered what her mother would have thought about this conversation. Surely, she had read the book; she’d read everything. What, Lily thought, would she make of us now?”
Relatable characters and compelling story
The characters are recognizable as New England suburbanites. For such a close-knit family I missed the parental reaction to the tragedy early in the story and the conversations that must have occurred with the young girls. But don’t let that stop you. The writing is intentional, every word matters. The scenes are tight and well-crafted, the story-telling compelling. Condensed. Packed. Each chapter advances the plot and evokes emotions—both funny and sad. The ending is satisfying.