Cruel Beautiful world is a story of love as exhibited in Iris as her marriage is described, her taking in Charlotte and Lucy and watching how when we set aside ourselves, our small desires and needs, and extend ourselves to another by surrender of self in the moment, what
…more we bless becomes a blessing in our lives. Contrast Iris with Lucy and we see how a pursuit of what we believe will satisfy and complete us often results in exactly the opposite. Putting our selfish needs and desires before the needs of others leads to despair, loss and more longing as we continue to pursue what we long for. The author delights us page after page with tender insights into longing, love, and heartaches with the most endearing encounters occurring as the story closes. One of the most inspiring reads this summer- a real delight with nothing in the plot expected as the story unfolds all the way to the last page. (less)