The Exes by Pagan Kennedy

With so many aspiring writers claiming that they intend to write The Great American Novel it’s exciting to encounter Pagan Kennedy, who has made it her business to write The Great American Underground Novel. That novel is The Exes.

Divided into four parts, each narrated by a member of the titular band, the novel provides layer upon layer of personality and music. The novel shreds the standard story, showing the band members as fallible humans rather than impossibly cool rockstar deities.

The story begins with guitarist Hank as the narrator, which is only fitting, as we come to see Hank as the driving force behind the band. Focused on the music, yet frustrated by the limits of his own talent, Hank recruits ex-girlfriend Lilly to front his dream band. Lilly, who takes the next turn at narration, is an unstable but charismatic front-woman and the band’s creative backbone. It is Lilly who comes up with the concept and name for the band and has them seeking out another pair of exes to round out the group.

The story gets remarkably more intense when the narration switches over to Shaz, the morose bisexual bassist who is ambivalent about the band and its increasing success. Shaz’s narration pulls the novel away from its manic-depressive rock ‘n roll plot and into the turmoil of her own messed up past.

Shaz’s own ex-boyfriend, Walt, ends the book with his own take on the band’s climactic tour, which allows for a tentatively optimistic end to the book.

Kennedy combines the skill of an accomplished and trained writer with the knowledge and credibility of someone who has actually participated in underground culture. It’s a rare and refreshing combination. For readers who like a bit of rock ‘n roll in their fiction, this novel is a perfect, quick, and engaging read.

-Anna