Avalon

V.J Banis
Borgo Press (2007)
ISBN 9781434400161  
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7 /07)


Set in 1947, “Avalon,” by V. J. Banis, tells the story of three young women, following their lives for over forty years.  Everyone seemed sure of the friend’s future.  Things do not always work out the way people expect them to.  The three women maintain their friendship and ties through victory and tragedy.

Maria is set to sing with a band.  Enrico Calabrese was a talent scout.  He recognized Maria’s gift when he heard her audition, but mostly he noticed her beauty.  He wanted more than her voice; he wanted her body next to his.   When she discovered her boyfriend had died in the war, she turned to Enrico for comfort and security.  Maria came to realize that Enrico owned more than her contract and body.

Geri was sure to become a great actress.  The road to success was not all that Geri thought it would be.  On stage, she was successfully able to find the character within herself.  She stole the stage from the star, Elizabeth Lowell.  Geri and Maria planned to be “career women.”

Maggie did not have career plans.  Beautiful Maggie planned to marry in an elaborate celebration.  She had no idea yet who the man would be.  He would have to be rich and handsome, perhaps the head of a company.  Maggie was in love with pilot Bill Alexander from the moment he rescued from an unwanted suitor.  He was a pilot, strong, handsome and protective, but with a mother who thought Maggie was not good enough for her son.  Desperate, pregnant and lonely she rushes to marry someone, anyone.  Her husband did not fit any of the criteria she had set for a husband.  Through the years, Maggie watched the success and happiness of her friends.  While she was happy for them, she was also a little envious. 

“Avalon,” by V.J. Banis, follows three young friends through their painful heartaches and their triumphs, through their journey from girls to women.  Banis successfully develops each character’s voice.  I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen to each girl.  The supporting characters were interesting, especially Enrico and Rush.  The 1940-50s setting was attention-grabbing.  Banis successfully swept readers back in time.  This book still needed some editing when I read it.  All in all this is a very entertaining read.  Fans of fiction will enjoy “Avalon.”

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