Strange Loops: About the Book
As small children, Francine and her twin Philip shared a seemingly unbreakable bond—but in adolescence the connection frayed, and in adulthood the siblings are locked in a repeating loop of complex, destructive emotions. Matters have reached a breaking point, and Francine, now in her thirties and the married mother of two small boys, is convinced that Philip’s teenaged infatuation with religion and subsequent, ongoing obsession with his sister’s “moral impropriety”—sparked by his discovery of her involvement in a forbidden relationship—are to blame.
As storm clouds of resentment and mutual betrayal gather ominously, threatening to upend both siblings’ lives and damage their families, Francine unexpectedly finds herself in a situation that mirrors her earlier transgression: stirred and unsettled by her attraction to a wildly inappropriate man. And the one person who suspects is the last person she trusts—her disapproving twin.
With the plot twists of a thriller, lean prose crackling with intensity, and big ideas explored alongside the messy truth of human relationships, Strange Loops simultaneously shocks and thrills the reader, all while asking vital questions about faith, love, and desire. Francine, the main character, will often have you questioning her decisions. Why did she marry her husband? Why is she
The Review
Strange Loops, written by Canadian-born author, Liz Harmer, may seem spare at under 250 pages, but this is a book that you need to take your time with. It isn’t an easy read, but like most books, with some patience, you will want to find out the whole story of Francine and her brother Philip.
The characters in Strange Loops are deeply flawed. There are times when they are even unlikeable, but you want to find out why they ended up this way. Why does Francine seem to pursue forbidden relationships? Why is her brother, Philip, so obsessed with her aforementioned “moral impropriety”? Why are their dynamics so complicated?
The family dynamics are the main plot device, and Harmer keeps the story so interesting, that you need to finish the book to see how it all plays out. This is the ideal book club book – there are so many questions and discussions that the plot opens readers up to. Strange Loops is definitely original with characters that are both mirror images and opposites of one another. This is, ultimately, an uncomfortable, but strangely, satisfying read.
Strange Loops is available for pre-order and will be in-stores on January 31, 2023.
