THE THIRD ANGEL by Alice Hoffman (fic)

Alice Hoffman is a prolific author; her novels usually involve emotional connections, forged and broken, among her characters.  Her novel Third Angel traces betrayal and forgiveness within families.  The book is divided into three sections, each of which could stand alone, and the story moves backward through time. The women each come from a different generation, yet are connected with each other, which we discover as the story moves forward. One of the characters is the author of a picture book which can be read both backwards and forwards, just as this novel can. 

Each tale involves either absent parents or sibling relationships, and the love that binds the characters as closely as romantic love.  The title comes from a tale in the middle section.  A young girl, Freida, is making rounds with her father who is a country doctor.  As they drive along he tells her a story of three angels: the Angel of Life, the Angel of Death, and the third Angel who remains among us asking compassion for those who suffer. 

The novel is a romantic fable, at the center of which is the Lion Park Hotel in London which plays a part in each woman's story.  It opens with a wedding in 1999 and the rivalry between two sisters, Maddy and Allie Heller.  This section is a story of secrets and betrayal.  The middle section is about the Freida Lewis now grown up in 1966, who falls in love with a callous rock star.  The final section also also involves a wedding, this time in 1952; the catalyst being a young girl, Lucy, who moves the action toward the novel's climax.  When Lucy grows up, she is the mother of the sisters in the first tale.

The novel is not as complicated as it sounds.  All of the stories mesh nicely.  Because the book is a fable and mysterious coincidences take place, in order to fully enjoy the story the reader has to embrace these possibilities.  I prefer realistic novels, so I cannot say I was able to appreciate this book, although it is skillfully written.  If you are a fan of Alice Hoffman, you will most likely enjoy this novel.