Pan: Untold Story

     A few posts ago, I introduced you all to the trifecta of my fascinating people and/or historical events. I cannot stress enough just how much I love that list. I think I have done pretty well these past few weeks...read 11/22/63 (gave me my Kennedy fix), watched Titanic on Saturday and then again on Tuesday (I lose it at the same part every single time. This time it was worse because I cried in anticipation of said part. That was new for me), and finished Untold Story, a fiction novel about my favorite princess, Princess Diana.

     I first read about Monica Ali's new book in a People magazine what seems like forever ago. As soon as I read the review, I knew I just had to have it. Hell, as soon as I saw the cover picture (this is me, judging books by covers) I knew I just had to have it. Unmistakeable silhouette of Princess Diana? Go ahead and take my money already. I really enjoy the 'historical fiction' kind of concept that is seen in Philippa Gregory novels circa Queen Elizabeth and the Tudors, so I was happy to see a modern member of the royal family get her story told as well. This book proved to be pretty tough to find, and after many trips to Half-Priced and Sam's and Target and Wal-Mart, I ended up getting lucky at a Barnes & Noble back home. I did a double-take past the New Arrivals and snagged me one. Great success.

     The story revolves around Lydia, a middle-aged woman living in small town Kensington, America. The reader quickly becomes privvy to an elaborate plan thought up by the former Princess Di and her faithful adviser, Lawrence, that involves Diana faking her death in order to escape the wrath of scrutiny from in-laws and paparazzi alike. The novel is set at the 10-year anniversary of Diana's "death" and we are introduced to her new life as she continuously copes with her decision to flee. Lydia's perpetual guilt for leaving her boys behind subtly adds to the melancholy undertones of the novel as a whole.

     Lydia's world is turned upside down when a former royal family paparazzo and admirer rolls in to Kensington, looking for a place to stay overnight. Grabber is simply passing through town on his way to Los Angeles, but has stumbled upon the biggest story of his life. It's the touch of green in her bright blue eyes.

     Monica Ali really surprised me with this story. I was very excited to get going on this, and I can say that I wasn't disappointed. There is romance, mystery, and action, all in just the right amounts. I'm a sucker for the -isms (parallel, symbol, and all the others) and the character development comes together just right. The ending is so perfect and so unexpected and I wouldn't have it any other way.