There's No "Opposite of Love" for This Debut Novel

I saw this book one day in Borders. It was on the shelf under the New Fiction section. I usually stop by a bookstore at least twice a week and just walk around. I look at covers, read the blurb on the back and occassionally, skim the opening. I don't usually buy the book (because I've lived on a college budget for 4 years) but I always make a mental note and wait for it. This time, however, I couldn't walk away and I bought it. As I read the book, the inability to walk away continued until I finished it.

The Opposite of Love is the debut novel by author Julie Buxbaum. A debut novel is important for an author; it sets the bar for future books that he or she may write. It's either hit or miss, not only for the author but also for the reader. If that is true, then this book was an incredible example of the great story-telling that Buxbaum is going to provide her readers for years to come.

Opposite is the story of a twenty-nine year old named Emily Haxby. Emily has the perfect doctor boyfriend who holds her hand while they walk, a high paying job at a large Manhattan law firm and great friends. Then, without even understanding why, she dumps her boyfriend days before he's about to propose. As she attempts to deal with the breakup she caused, the rest of her world seems to unravel.

Emily can't explain what happened to her friends yet tries to convince herself she did the right thing. At work, she is given a multi-million dollar case defending a large company against the little people and her boss gets a forward with her while they are working. She begins to doubt her friendships as she sinks into a depression. As if that's not enough, her Grandpa Jack, who has been living at an assisted living home, takes a turn for the worse and her distant father leaves her to deal with everything alone.

These seem like small things but when they are all together, they lead Emily into a path where she must figure out how to deal with them. In doing so, she will figure out who she is. The great thing about this particular journey, is that she isn't surrounded by this parade of encouragement. Usually, a heroine has the friends who push her toward the happy ending. Emily's support system is of a different flavor, as each of them seems to be going through a similar journey of self-discovery. Buxbaum allowed her character to have the support of friends yet figure out who she was alone, as we sometimes have to do in life.

The Opposite of Love is a very funny book, but it's real. It's humor is found in the ideas and the movements of the characters. It's funny because you can see the actions, the reactions, the gestures of the characters. Emily is the strongest character of the book because of the first-person narrative. The big breakup scene, in particular, was an example of a great voice that Emily has throughout the book:

"The fantasy breakup in my head played out in pantomime; no explanations, only rueful smiles, a kiss good-bye on the cheek, a farewell wave thrown over a shoulder. The sting of nostalgia and the high of release, a combustible package, maybe, but one we would both understand and appreciate."

Instead, her boyfriend, a bit of barbecue sauce clinging to his lip, is devastated.

Though there are some scenes in the book that seem like filler, such as a scene where Emily meets some elderly ladies to do a book club, they do not overall negatively affect the novel. This book has something that everyone can love. Emily is a real person, a real person who is trying to find herself in the chaos of life. A real person who doesn't know what she wants until she doesn't have it, until she looks at her life and wants to make it better.

What is the opposite of love? It may not be what you think. And it's definitely not this book. If you pick it up, you will love it.

If you like Opposite then make sure you check out the New Fiction section later this month. Buxbaum's second novel After You is released on August 25.