MacArthur Park

A Novel

By: Judith Freeman

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

A captivating, emotionally taut novel about the complexities of a friendship between two women—and how it shapes, and reshapes, both of their lives

"Filled with gorgeous prose and deep emotion . . . Explores what it means to be an artist, delves into the vicissitudes of life and death, and takes us on journey through the splendor (and sometimes ugliness) of the American West—with dollops of Flaubert, Faulkner, Chekhov, Collette, and Chandler along the way."—Lisa See, author of The Island of Sea Women

Jolene and Verna share complicated ties that have crystallized over time. Beginning when they were girls discovering their needs and desires, their ongoing stories have been inextricably linked. But when Verna marries Vincent, Jolene’s ex-husband, their paths may have finally, permanently diverged.

A successful and provocative feminist artist, Jolene travels the world, attracting attention wherever she goes. Verna, a writer, works from her home near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, where she and Vincent plan to spend the rest of their lives in a contemplative, intimate routine. Then Jolene asks one more favor of Verna—to take a road trip with her to their small hometown in Utah. It’s a journey that will force them to confront both the truths and falsehoods of their memories of each other and of the very beginnings of their friendship, and to reckon with the meaning of love, of time itself, of the bonds that matter most to us, and with what we owe one another.

An Outstanding Performance by Writer and Narrator

Here's the modern West, at least from Salt lake to L.A. from the introspective of two childhood friends, now long estranged and one now married to the other's former husband. Freeman's novel, written masterfully in her always personal style, and narrated with delightful passion by the talented, multi-voice Kaminsky, accompanied me recently as I drove through Red Rock country of Utah and Nevada for 17 hours, or more. How lovely to have these two female characters as "passengers" on one of the most beautiful drives of my life. Highly entertaining, I stayed eager not only to be on my journey, but to have these three (including their mutual spouse, Vincent) with me for every mile. I wish the journey had been longer....