Changing Faces

Changing Faces, by Kimberla Lawson Roby (2006)

Roby writes about three professional women who deal with the ups and downs of work, family and romance. Whitney wages a war on her weight while Taylor faces a stagnant relationship and a frightening medical condition. Charisse’s marriage is in trouble as she struggles with her temper and controlling nature.

While each of these characters has challenges the author wastes little time in revealing the layers that lurk beneath the surface. As the title implies, all of the women face major life changes throughout the course of the story. For Charisse rage, greed and lust are disguised by a demanding and pious facade. As the chapters progress, alternating between characters in the first person, the straightforward language belies the surprising amount of pathology in these lives.

While the book’s readability is one of its biggest strengths the laid back tone is also a major weakness. The writing simply lacks the depth of emotion and a sense of growing psychological dissonance to captivate the reader. As the novel reaches a fantastic climax some readers will be caught off guard by the author’s method for finishing the story.

Roby writes with an easy manner that suggests lighter fare than what happens here. Changing Faces has some good kernels but fails to come together into a cohesive whole.