Luna, Phoenix, Queen, by Julie Orringer

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Julie Orringer’s latest novel, Luna, Phoenix, Queen, is an extraordinary and heartbreaking story of love through time. 


The most central character is Dava Pennington, an English literature professor at a Midwestern university. Her husband, Barr, is also a professor and novelist.  They do not have a very happy marriage, and eventually, Dava falls in love with Svetlana White, a colleague. 


Dava’s character is gloriously well developed. She is a professor, writer, researcher, mother, wife, and lover. To Svetlana, a certain era of life with Dava was special and full of intense love. Over time, Dava drifts into a tragic form of dementia, but to Svetlana, Dava is still the love of her life, even as she is disappearing. 


While Dava is deteriorating, life is happening around her, and there are other plots brewing, especially one important secret that the reader knows about early on. This becomes a riveting and bittersweet reveal later in this story. 


There are many other characters in this novel who were a pleasure to meet: Milo and James, the two Pennington boys, Svetlana’s daughter Naomi, and Barr Pennington’s research assistant Evie. And, of course,  Luna, Phoenix, Queen, a dog who steals scenes and hearts, no matter what people are calling her these days. 


All the characters in this story were lovingly drawn, their feelings and struggles real and interesting. I found the characters likable and enjoyable, but thought the storytelling ended at the right time.


I was delighted to have the chance to read Julie Orringer’s latest novel because I’d read one of her previous novels and was impressed. Luna, Phoenix, Queen is likewise a wonderfully told, touching story that will stay with me. Many thanks to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

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