Book Twenty-Nine: The Engagements

This written tapestry of stories begins with an introduction to copy writer Mary Francis Gerety.  The hastily scrawled 'A Diamond is Forever' became the slogan of DeBeers, forever altering an industry and creating a timeless legacy.

Author J. Courtney Sullivan has written a fictionalized story of Gerety, but the book's primary focus is the human relationship and how iconic the diamond has become.  Evelyn has been married to her husband for forty years after the death of her first husband.  Kate, while partnered with Dan for nearly a decade refuses to have wedding.  Delphine leaves her husband to follow a one-night stand.  Blue-collar James constantly worries that his wife can do and will do better than him. 

With the diamond securely anchoring each story, it's clear that these relationships are about more than just the carats.  Evelyn is dealing with the crushing blow of her son's impending divorce.  Delphine wonders if desire is enough to build a life upon.  James wonders if he's one step away from losing her.  Kate is disgusted by the institution of marriage but is somehow hoodwinked into being responsible for the symbolic rings of her cousin Jeff's marriage to his partner Toby.  Each story has clearly been affected by the legendary campaign spearheaded by Gerety. 

This reader found herself wanting more about Mary Frances and her fierce independence during a time of little for woman.  Sullivan barely skims the surface of what made Mary Frances tick.  The five narratives are solidly written.  Delphine, a woman scorned, is perhaps the strongest story with the most clearly defined characters.  This reader wonders if Kate's diatribe is truly that of the author's. 

The primary annoyance for this reader is how choppy the book is put together.  The narratives are fleshed out in parts.  Sullivan presents enough information to build to a climax and then the commercial interruption appears--in this case, more about Gerety.  Highly annoying.

As I see it, The Engagements is unsure of itself.  Is it a feminist manifesto?  A stump speech against consumerism?  Or a parlor trick hoping to ride the Mad Men bandwagon?  In the end, dear reader, you have a nicely written--albeit forgettable--collection of stories.