Lindsey Reviews: Big Toe People - Kristine Kohut
Big Toe People
Kristine Kohut
2014
Big Toe people is set in Washington DC and centres
around five recent college graduates who have moved to the city to study at the
University. The five girls are
completely different to each other: there is Yoli; who is studying law, a
Chinese adoptee who has a major chip on her shoulder as her adoptive parents
are more in love with their missionary work than being with her and effectively
have abandoned her. Yoli is a feisty, outspoken character with a penchant for
bad boys and late nights out as in rebellion to her parents’ lifestyle. Then there is fellow law student Paulina: a
studious , hardworking engineering
graduate whose infamous parents former lifestyle has had a major impact
on her; rather than rebelling, Paulina has found comfort in converting to
Christianity but who resorts to binge drinking when she is stressed. Ria, in contrast, is the only one of the
girls who is engaged to her childhood sweetheart Trigger, having moved from her
native Nebraska to study a Masters in Education and be near her fiancé. Ria is the epitome of the blonde cheerleader;
from a good Catholic family and living a seemingly charmed life. Next the dowdy Ashley; plain and mouse like; Ashley
has been cosseted by her parents and is naive in the ways of the world. She is having a secret affair with a church
youth leader who is awakening her inner sexuality but to what cost? Finally, there is Karyn, Yoli’s best friend
who is also enrolled on the law programme.
Karyn is a beautiful coloured girl who is fearless and intelligent. Yet whilst she plays the field, secretly she
yearns for her Mr Right but feels that he does not exist. The book shows the trials and tribulations of
the five over a seven month period in the first year of graduate school.
Wow!
This was a mammoth book that dealt with so many issues. The author cleverly portrays the pressures
that many young people face in the 21st century with regards to sex,
dating, careers, life choices and the effects which wild lifestyles can wreak
on the psyche due to peer pressure.
Underlying all these issues though is the common link between the
characters; that of how faith can be a beacon of light in a convoluted
world. The writer cleverly shows how
rather than using drink and a hedonistic lifestyle to find themselves, the
characters examine their behaviour in relation to the grounding and security
which the Bible has to offer. Although I
am not religious per se, I found this element very effective and it was
interesting to see how once religion is brought into each character’s life,
they undergo a metamorphosis and once committing to their faith, it helps them
navigate their way through their own personal trials. Rather than being “big toe people”, it is
only when they embrace their religious convictions fully; they find the way
forward in their own life path.
This was a wonderful, insightful and
gorgeous novel to read. I really felt I
went on a personal journey with each of the characters. They were brilliantly structured and very empathetic
individuals; I really cared for them as people.
The writing flowed beautifully and even though the book was over 600
pages, nonetheless, the plot never waived.
Would definitely recommend.
Comments
Post a Comment