Sweeter than soft serve frozen yogurt with gummy bears, Balancing Acts by Zoe Fishman is the ultimate beach read (or in my case, a waiting room of the studio read).
The story follows four women living in New York during 30-something decade of their lives. All four women were casual acquaintances at their ten year college reunion, and decide to commit to a six week yoga class taught by one of their own. As yoga often does, each of them begin to get in touch with their genuine selves, and work to find happiness in their lives.
Charlie (I love androgynous names!) is a former high-powered Wall Street executive whose former relationship broke her down enough to cause an entire life shift. She owns the fictional yoga studio, aptly named Prana and serves as the instructor for the duration of the course. Her premise is the foundation for the whole novel, but I feel that she is the least developed in comparison with her other friends.
Naomi was my favorite character. A single mom with an eight year old son, she didn't technically graduate with the other girls but still earns her living working as a graphic designer. Her struggles are evident, well defined, and intertwining. Her story really allows the reader to feel a connection, with her concerns about her son's relationship with his father, her health, and her journey to reclaim her former passion for photography.
Bess is cast as the uproarious character who has the opportunity to present the greatest conflict in the story. A tabloid journalist with dreams of CNN, she decides to join the yoga pact with the ulterior motive of writing about the premise of "having it all". Although she originally intended to criticize the women for not sticking to their dreams, she soon has a change of heart.
Finally, Sabine is an overworked editor who wishes she could be a full time writer. While I can empathize with Sabine's challenges, I had the hardest time getting under her skin. Like the other women, she has her doubts about the men in her life, but during the group chapters she seems very transparent.
The book is certainly a first novel. I loved the premise, I just wish the characters had a bit more substance. Although each woman is diverse her career, upbringing, and story line, I had a hard time distinguishing one from another in my mind. It's like each of their stories has the same common elements: man trouble, career trouble, and a fear of having lost all the inertia they felt in college. Additionally, I wish Bess' article was given more prominence in the conclusion of the book (no spoilers here, never fear!)
If you're a yoga newbie or a fan of chick lit, you would enjoy this novel. It's light, frothy and fun- each class Charlie introduces a sequence of asanas that are so well written that you could practically take the class along side Bess, Sabine, and Naomi.
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