Book Review: Lucky Break by Esther Freud

by Julie Failla Earhart

Esther Freud’s seventh novel, Lucky Break has a number of promising reviews. With a black and white cover, I was attracted and immediately drawn in.

The story starts with several students on their first day at Drama Arts school. Based on the cover blurbs and photo, I was under the impression that the story would take place in the 1950s in New York, and the reader is not told any different. However, the story takes place between 1992 and 2006 in London.

The character that stands out most is Nell: overweight and shy, yet determined to be successful. Her best friend, Charlie tends to have disastrous relationships with men, especially her current flame, Rob. And there’s Dan, the man Nell falls in love with and a fellow student.

As a whole, the characters are rather shallow and there is no tension throughout the entire book. The story would begin to pick up, but then come crashing down. Unfortunately, it has not left a lasting impression.