Veronica

Veronica cover
Good Books rating 4.0

Technical:
  • ID: 707
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781847654717
  • Publisher: Serpent's Tail
  • Published: 2016-12-08
  • Formats: 46
  • Reviews: 3

Veronica explores the complex and often fragile bond between two women, Alison and Veronica, whose lives intersect in the vibrant yet chaotic world of 1980s New York. Alison, a former modeling sensation, and Veronica, an eccentric proofreader, form a friendship that transcends the decades, revealing the intricate layers of human relationships. The novel masterfully captures the essence of two distinct eras, from the excess and glamour of the '80s to the introspective and often broken world of its survivors twenty years later. Gaitskill's narrative is both fierce and compassionate, delving into themes of narcissism, self-sacrifice, and the artificiality of love. /n/n Shortlisted for the National Book Award, Veronica is a poignant and unique exploration of the human condition, where beauty and style give way to deeper, more profound truths about life and mortality. The novel's evocative prose and raw honesty make it a standout in contemporary literature, offering a compelling look at the fragility and mystery of human connections.

Reviews
The Reading Experience · 2025-09-19
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel explores transgressions of sexual morality and propriety, delving into the complex relationships and moral dilemmas of its characters. It is a thought-provoking examination of human behavior and societal norms.

This review highlights how the novel delves into the transgressions of sexual morality and propriety, focusing on the intricate relationships and moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the exploration, noting that the story is a profound examination of human behavior and societal norms. They find the narrative compelling and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of human interactions.


Quick quotes

    The attempted transgressions in this novel are entirely transgressions of sexual morality or propriety.

    The milieu in which its characters operate is both familiar and unsettling.

    The novel offers a profound examination of human behavior and societal norms.

The Guardian · 2007-11-10
evocative 3.50

The novel is a humane study of brutal loneliness with moments of tenderness, but it loses its plot at times. It is a powerful exploration of human fragility and relationships.

The reviewer finds Veronica to be a humane novel that delves into the brutal loneliness experienced by its characters, while also offering moments of tenderness. They appreciate the novel's powerful exploration of human fragility and relationships, though they note that the plot can become lost at times. Despite this, they find the narrative evocative and emotionally resonant, making it a memorable read.


Quick quotes

    This is a humane novel: a study of brutal loneliness with moments of tenderness.

    It is also a book that loses the plot.

    Veronica is a powerful exploration of human fragility and relationships.

The New York Times · 2005-10-23
insightful 4.50

The novel marks a departure from the author's usual taut style, focusing on the relationship between beauty and power. It is a poignant exploration of human connections and the consequences of desire.

This review notes that Veronica is a departure from the author's typical style, offering a more reflective and introspective narrative. The reviewer appreciates the novel's exploration of the relationship between beauty and power, finding it both poignant and insightful. They highlight the author's ability to delve into the complexities of human connections and the consequences of desire, making it a compelling read.


Quick quotes

    Veronica marks something of a departure from her usual taut style.

    A rumination on the relationship between beauty and power.

    The novel offers a poignant exploration of human connections and the consequences of desire.