Jumping the Green

by Leslie Schwartz

Book Overview

A new talent makes an auspicious debut with this haunting, erotic tale of a young woman whose grief over her sister's unsolved murder leads to a dangerous affair.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684855895
• ISBN13: 9780684855899
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

An outstanding first novel

An brilliant debut novel, with a memorable family and evocative writing. Ms Schwartz segues between present and past tense so smoothly you don't notice it's happening. I am baffled by Eloise Plaza's negative review, utterly baffled. This book certainly isn't for everyone, but to deny its strong voice and authenticity is puzzling indeed.

An elegant exploration of grief

JUMPING THE GREEN is an insightful look at how we deal with grief through self-obliteration, a skillful blend of the present and the inescapable past. I look forward to Ms. Schwartz's next novel.

A hip, sexy, erotic read

I loved this book! Leslie Schwartz in her first novel Jumping the Green paints a smart, eloquent yet racy and sexy portrayal of the inner termoil and torment of a troubled young woman, Louise Goldblum. Full of modern, urban and adult themes, Jumping the Green tells of Louise; her confusion and angst over the sudden and horrific death of her big sister and her subsequent fall into a self destructive, highly charged erotic relationship with the equally tormented Zeke. Combining the past with the present in a unique structure, two stories parallel each other and come to a shattering climax as Louise comes to terms with Esther's violent and unexplained death. My only critisism is that the obsessiveness that Louise had with her sister may be carried too far towards the end of the novel. Ostensibly though, Jumping the Green is a fine piece of work and contains some thoroughly beautiful images - the wind swept streets of San Fransisco and the calm but sinister beauty of the lake where the Goldblum family played while growing up. Leslie Schwartz should be commended for creating easily identifiable, memorable characters - the dependable, honest best friend Alice, Mrs Goldblum; the boozy,cynical, pill addicted mother of Louise and the,tormented,sexually driven Zeke who also hides his own ghosts.This novel is very "today". Smart, hip,groovy and very sexy. Schwartz demonstrates an inate knowledge of the SF Bay Area art scene and a keen sense of the SF urban chic. She also has a keen eye for detail. I am eagerly awaiting her next novel.Michael Leonard

Wonderful first novel!

I'm looking forward to future books from Ms. Schwartz. This was a fine novel. I particularly like distinctive portrait of the Goldblums - one of the more complex realistically drawn families I've read in a while. The mix of the art world, the mystery surrounding Louise's sister's death, and her depression probably doesn't sound like an enjoyable romp but I couldn't put the book down. I appreciated the fact that there were no easy answers or pat endings. Well written -- great first novel.

A good erotic read

The San Francisco art world has just discovered and fully praises the works of sculptress Louise Goldblum. However, the murder of her older sister, a noted journalist, interrupts Louise's from basking in her ever rising acclaim.Seeking some serenity from her shock, Louise turns into the violent arms of wild photographer Zeke Heirholm. Shared acrimonious pleasure sums up their entire relationship. However, as the sexual brutality increases, Louise fades into her past, seeking answers to herself as Goldblum the artist. Instead, she finds more questions and remembers reckless abandon being a way of life for the eccentric Goldblum clan. With no solace in the present and even less in her past, Louise risks everything she cherishes to find a future inner harmony.JUMPING THE GREEN is a thought provoking tale that centers on an individual's need for a self identity amidst the external labels tagged on the person. Louise is a very intriguing individual who finds herself desperately seeking the real Louise. Her flashbacks to her youth adds depth as the audience understands what has led the young artist to her current crisis. Leslie Schwartz delicately handles rotating chapters between past and present that never slows down either subplot and ultimately ties together into a winning tale of deepening self reflection. Harriet Klausner