Book Review: The Transformation of Things

By Melissa Amster


I had been interested in reading "The Transformation of Things" ever since I heard about it from Jillian Cantor and started reading her blog. The story sounded like something Allison Winn Scotch would come up with. Real life with a surreal twist.

Jennifer Leavenworth is the wife of a judge who is indicted for bribery. Soon, her social life begins to crumble as a result and she and her husband try to find their way back to where they started, when they first fell in love. Adding to the mix of confusion and stress in her life are judgmental family members, friends with dark secrets and the strange dreams Jennifer has been having about the private thoughts of those she cares about. As a result, she has an intense personal dream that changes the way she sees life altogether.

As soon as I started reading this novel, I became immediately drawn in to the story by Ms. Cantor's easygoing prose and a character I was able to relate to in several ways (and not only because she was Jewish). As I read on, the story became impossible to put down, as I wanted to know what Jennifer's dreams meant and what was in store for her marriage and the people she was dreaming about. This novel is very engaging overall and it takes the reader on a journey that will make them think about the way they view their own life. It's a story that grabs and doesn't let go after it is finished. I really have no criticisms, as I liked everything about it. All I could say when I was finished was "wow." I don't want to elaborate more as to not spoil anything. I do want to recommend it to anyone who wants something more than just a story about marriage in a wealthy suburb in the 21st century. "The Transformation of Things" definitely goes beyond all boundaries, leaving the reader transformed as much as the characters. And the story does have an Allison Winn Scotch feel to it (which is good because I like her novels), while being original in its own right.