Before I started this book, I did something I normally never do: I read the reviews. It’s not only that I want to form my own opinion of a book, it’s that I don’t care if “the masses” didn’t like it. “The masses” have terrible taste in literature (see Twilight, see 50 Shades of Grey, see the entire career of Danielle Steele). If the review is from someone whose tastes and discernments parallel my own, I pay attention. But otherwise... no. But I read the reviews for one specific purpose: I wanted to figure out to what gene The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope belongs. Science fiction? Romance? Christian literature? A brief plot synopsis as explanation of my confusion: a genderless creature (A.) is pulled from the earth, turns into a woman (Addie), falls in love with the woman (Eve) who found her, turns into a man (Adam), and lives happily ever after (sort of). However, the reviews gave me no meaningful clue; it was called a sweeping romance, it was called paranormal, it was called “somewhat biblical.” It was all those things and none of them. What it was, was brilliant.
First, the basics. Rhonda Riley can write a damn good scene. Her prose is clear and clean, never feels forced, and her pacing are impeccable. Her characters are entirely believable and when one dies, the loss is felt in appropriate proportion to their importance in the story (a reader pet peeve of mine). Arguably the novel was overpopulated but it covered forty plus years. Overpopulation is to be expected. Riley has been criticized for never answering the novel's Big Question (namely, who/what is Adam?). I say: EXACTLY. That is why the book is genius and transcends all genre labels. This book is about Truth. Not answers. Riley never explains who/what Adam is because it is not important. Riley’s novel is a reflection on the things we don’t and can’t know about the inner lives and true selves of anyone, despite our relationship with them. Hers is a novel of truth-telling and truth-knowing and the inability to know anyone (including oneself) fully. It is about the necessary and unnecessary lies we tell ourselves and others. The book is about trust and loving someone. It is about creating a life and learning to accept an essential otherness about one's partner. It is about the known and the unknown in families, histories, and communities and how we navigate around these truths.
The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope unfolds slowly, revealing a family’s truth, revealing a life that has been purposefully and intentionally created. It is deceptively brilliant, subtle, and dazzling and hums with necessary and startling honesty.
In the space between pleasantly surprised and completely blindsided, I found my reaction to Rhonda Riley’s first novel. But as for my original question: what genre is this? It is truth. Just truth. Nothing else. I anxiously await Ms. Riley’s next work.
A side note for anyone who (like me) makes it a point to avoid romance or Christian fiction: fear not. It’s not that kind of romance and it certainly isn’t Christian fiction.
Enjoy!
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