Of Julia and Men
This novel is a fabulous, fun page-turner that dives headlong into the sometimes murky waters of adult relationships.
Peggy Hinaekian’s novel Of Julia and Men takes on the thrilling subject of love with spirit, telling a tantalizing tale of sex, romance, and self-discovery. This sophisticated yet approachable story distills the relationships between men and women into their purest, most enticing elements.
Julia Chamoun has always been a little different. Unlike most Lebanese women in the 1950s, she’s eager for adventure. Undeterred by her conservative upbringing and culture, Julia sets out to prove to herself that her fantasies can come to life. Hinaekian lets Julia’s adventures unwind naturally, with pacing that slowly builds intrigue. The author is a natural storyteller, and brings Julia to life with well-placed details and a plot that sizzles.
Driven by her dreams, Julia heads to Manhattan. At first, things seem to be going fine—she has success and a beautiful home, but no real satisfaction: “She had been infatuated by some men, lusted after a few but not really loved them.” After a divorce, she relocates to Switzerland to regain her footing. There, she meets Jean Claude, a wealthy banker who pursues her with every resource at his disposal. A second marriage seems like an easy choice for Julia until she crosses paths with an old flame, Luis: “so irresistible, so charming and full of life, so Latino.” Increasingly uncomfortable, Julia’s pulse accelerates as her life is complicated by her conflicting passions.
Hinaekian is deft in describing the latent sexual tension that exists between men and women. She lays the novel’s foundation methodically, taking time to describe each character—not just physically, but psychologically. “Why should life be so conventional?” Julia asks herself, and she is a delightful riddle—sensual, changing, contradictory, and irresistible.
Of Julia and Men tantalizes, exploring each naughty corner of Julia’s relationships—and of the relationships her lovers have with other women. It’s never as simple as we want it to be, Hinaekian points out, but Julia’s frustration is thrilling. Julia matures from an ambitious young woman to a woman fully aware of her sexual powers, and eager to share them with the right man.
This novel is a fabulous, fun page-turner that dives headlong into the sometimes murky waters of adult relationships. From blush-worthy sex scenes to tense dialogue, Of Julia and Men runs the gamut of emotions, experiences, and personal discoveries.
Of Julia and Men explores the possibilities of what can happen when a smart, passionate, ambitious woman lets herself really taste what life has to offer—and savor every moment to its very fullest.
Reviewed by
Claire Foster
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
