Skylight Confessions: A Novel

Alice Hoffman
Little, Brown & Company (2007)
ISBN 0316058785
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (1/07)

A tale spanning three generations, “Skylight Confessions” is the story of an unfortunate family whose destiny seems to be unhappiness, tragedy, and ultimate destruction.  When Arlyn’s father dies, John Moody is the first person she next meets, and Arlyn knows it is the plan that she should marry this man.  John soon feels trapped by the dreamy Arlyn when she follows him until he too realizes it is destiny for them to wed.  Sam is the offspring born shortly thereafter, and it is at this point that problems begin to occur.  Both John and Arlyn realize they have made some incorrect decisions by being together.  Sam is a very different and odd child, John becomes distant and works long hours, and Arlyn has an affair with the window washer, George Stone, who comes weekly to care for the windows of the glass house where John and Arlyn live.  A few years later, a daughter Blanca is born, but only Arlyn knows for certain who the father is.  At this point, real tragedy occurs, and Arlyn is given the same destiny as her mother.

In a gripping moment, the window washer George realizes how much Arlyn cares for him, for she has been wearing a very special pearl necklace intended as a gift from George to Arlyn, but which he was never formally able to present to her.  The pearls are unique because they change color.  The special pearls are later given to Sam for safekeeping and then to Blanca to wear as a memory of her mother.  Blanca also wears the pearls with the same passion Arlyn did.

“Skylight Confessions” is unlike any book I have ever read.  Its message is unfortunate and sad, and it left me thinking about a number of circumstances and the way they sometimes work out.  For example, John believes he feels relief when Arlyn dies, but when Arlyn’s ghost lingers with John for many years later, he realizes he had unsettled and strong feelings for Arlyn.  However, this novel is captivating, riveting, and quite unpredictable.  It is so gripping; I found the book hard to put down.  Many of the characters seem to be on a path of destruction due to their unhappiness, and it was just rather sad to see what unhappiness can cause a person to become.

“Skylight Confessions” will keep you reading with anticipation.  Hoffman is an interesting storyteller who creates visuals that are unique and very real, especially when she describes the beautiful views of nature from within the Moody’s glass house.  “Skylight Confessions” is a story about searching, family, and finding one’s identity.  This one will leave you thinking.  It is for adult readers who want to read a story that will not soon be forgotten.

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