The Pickup by Nadine Gordimer
Well this was wonderful. Unobtrusive and beautifully executed with gorgeous moments and a permeating understanding of flaws people have, without ever judging them or implying she’s any better.
Julie Summers, late 20s wishfully bohemian daughter of a wealthy white man in South Africa, member of a group of friends at “The Table” in the El-Ay Cafe. She meets her “Arab Prince” when her car breaks down–and they stay together for mysterious and wrong reasons. The surprising/inevitable ending. Exactly my sort of book.
Amy P. Knight 