Lilith I Smile Back Amy Koppelman (Two Dollar Radio, $15)

I Smile Back by Amy Koppelman focuses on Laney Brooks, a North Jersey housewife battling memories and anger using alcohol, cocaine and lots of sex with many
men — including, but not limited to, her husband. Laney’s fractured psyche is fertile ground
for Koppelman to explore a fragmentary narrative, where events are spliced together, intercut
with memories. Laney returns again and again
to her father’s departure — he divorced her
mother and cut off all communication with
Laney and her brother when they were quite
young — as it is this abandonment that seems
to be the root of Laney’s depression, her lack of hope,
her inability to trust that things can be stable and happy, “how nothing bad needs to happen for her to feel sad.” She doubts her own ability to parent her young children. Laney’s mortal fear of passing her own damage along to them animates many of her more likable human qualities — self-reflection and an almost painful love for her son and daughter. Despite excessive drinking, snorting cocaine on her bathroom floor and contemplating suicide, Laney tries to “gather enough strength to raise her kids with hope even though she herself exists in the fallout of that hope.” This book is a demanding read, with relentless pacing, a choppy, aggressive tone and a compelling battle for redemption.

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