Both Are True

Some people are just not meant to be together, even though they try to make a relationship work. Reyna Marder Gentin explores the theme of true partners in her novel Both Are True.

Jackie returns home from a difficult day on the New York Family court bench to find a note from her live-in lover, Lou. He was done. He wanted more out of life than writing a column and caring for Jackie. The narrative follows the path of both as they navigate new paths in life.

The author used switching between Jackie’s and Lou’s voices, which allows the readers to get inside each character’s mindset. Gentin portrays both characters in realistic ways. Jackie is flummoxed and confused; Lou tries to reignite embers from an old relationship. Both have unrealized expectations and even an unexpected complication which causes Jackie to make a major change in her life.

Gentin does an admirable job with character development. She also demonstrates that while people may have their hearts set on one desired outcome, life works in a different, better fashion with unanticipated results.