Three

This book is both beautiful, and disturbing. I will tell you up front that this is definately not for the faint of heart. Most of the depictions are extremely graphic, which makes the gut-wrencing scenes even more so. There are two central themes here, and they are sex and obsession. The title implies that the central focus is threesomes, but this subject actually takes up a negligible amount of the book. Actually, threesomes are only the beginning. Soon, the intimate life of the main characters, Maya and Ilan, become more and more intense, spiralling into the almost fatal. Ilan wants to take Maya into deeper, darker places sexually, and this eventually turns into simulated rape, razor blades, and even guns. Despite how horrific some of this can be, what really has the most impact here is Maya's emotions, and her willingness, and even enjoyment, of letting Ilan do these things. At times the reader thinks she truly does love him very deeply, but at other times it seems as if it's only an obsessive dependence. You'll wonder if she does these things because she really wants to, or only does it to make him happy. Ilan's real feelings for Maya are always in question. The story is beautiful, almost stream-of-conciousness, and the feelings Ms. Hilden evokes with her amazing writing had me enthralled. The emotional impact it had on me was amazing, and at times I found myself surprisingly angry and horrified with the events. But for all the horror, it is strangely erotic, although I wouldn't call this an erotic novel. Because of all Maya goes through, it had me nearly praying for a truly intimate and caring scene between Maya and Ilan. And there are unnumerable sex scenes. This book has so much gut emotional impact, and beautiful writing, but I would only recommend it for those who don't mind possibly being shocked or apalled.

3 is a novel that captivates the reader as it explores a drak sexuality that everyone knows exists, yet most strive to avoid. The raw passion that Ms. Hilden evokes in her novel is extraordinary. Her capacity to create prose that is so gripping and gorgeous contrasts with what she chooses to present. And what she does present is fascinating, terrfiying, beautiful, sorrowful and intensely addictive. I read this novel by candlelight during the blackout, and only with effort tore myself away for an evening out with friends. Once in the world that 3 created, I didn't want to leave, even as I felt chords of sadness pricked alive by the depth of human experience Ms. Hilden created. This novel is also wickedly naughty and taps into the fantasies that each person can relate to of sexual looseness free from the constructed stigma and real danger society and reality impose.Ms. Hilden exposes herself by writing lucidly, poetically and crisply about sex and about the unhealthy ties that feed an endless emotional yearning. The vulnerability on display in this novel is brave, deep and unadulterated.Ms. Hilden's characters are compelling. Both their pleasure and their pain are palpable as Ms. Hilden's deftly woven plot unfolds.

Easily the best book of the summer.3 is the story of a relationship gone awry. Maya meets Ilan in college. They fall into a love that is both beautiful and terrifying and later marry. But the marriage is predicated on a bargain: Ilan will not give up other women, and Maya agrees to the infidelity as long as she is present. 3 then dissects the ramifications of this love. It is the story of what we will cede to another, what we will risk, and what we put ourselves through to find out who we really are.The beauty of 3 is that it's a clean story with complex ramifications. Where so much modern fiction takes some convoluted (even tortuous) plot and deals with it superficially, Hilden takes a fundamental matter and unearths its every element. And this, will keep your heart beating fast, and your fingers turning pages late into the night.I should say something about Hilden's writing as well. Hilden makes you feel what the characters feel. You are no longer reading about the characters, you are there with them, experiencing their lives with them, seeing the world as they do. For instance, there's a surgery scene in the book that when I read it I felt the same queasiness as if the surgery had happened to me. Hilden's powerful, even fearsome, writing will stay with you. So much so that the book becomes a part of your own past. At once shocking and subtle, 3 is a must read.

Julie Hilden's Three is described as a "modern-day Story of O." I will have to agree with the aforementioned comparison. This is one of the darkest stories of love, sex and obsession that I've read in quite a long time! When Maya discovers Ilan's infidelity, she makes the conscious decision to allow him to engage in all sorts of exploits with other women. However, there's a catch: Maya has to take part of said exploits. The threesomes are as tantalizing as they are disturbing, and Maya is reluctant to admit that she's relished the experiences. But then Ilan becomes intimidated with Maya's thriving journalistic career and the sexual games become dangerous - possibly fatal. The novel's disarming twists give a whole new meaning to the word "threesome." The ending floored me. Three is a unique and sinister love story. The comparison with Story of O is well deserved. There are elements of S & M in this novel - and said elements are the undertones of the story. Also, the character development is excellent - Ilan and Maya are two of the most interesting characters ever written. This is a drop-everything-you're-doing-and-read-this-in-one-sitting novel. I savored the last pages with gusto because I hated to see it end. After all, erotic/psychological thrillers this good are scarcely written these days. Hilden is a great author and I look forward to reading her other books with utmost anticipation.

Julie Hilden gives us a brilliant 21st-century ghost story, filled with obsession, betrayal, hard-edged social commentary, highly-charged sexual experimentation and (possibly) redemption. 3 is a cautionary tale for those contemporary urbanites who think they can always be in control of their lives. The book reminds us that we contain a depth and complexity of engagement with other people that can surprise and sometimes betray us.You will not be able to put this book down once you begin reading, so clear an evening and be prepared for a wild ride!