The Mystery of Love & Sex by Kayla Tanchar is a fascinating, hilarious novel that takes a second look at the enduring mystery of love and sex for a contemporary America audience. Set in a small rural community in the south, this book tells the story of two high school friends who are very different. Deep in the American South, Jonny and Jane are best friends because they’re nine years older. He is Jewish; she is Catholic, he is black, she is white. Their differences somehow intensify their relationship until uncontrollable sexual desire disrupts everything within surprisingly predictable, albeit compulsive, ways.
While no one doubts their love, their friendship suffers when they both begin to have doubts about their romantic lives. Jonny begins to doubt Jane’s attraction, while Jane’s uncertainty about her feelings causes her to fear that she isn’t “cut out” for love. This uncertainty feeds into a more profound fear: what if love is just a game that everyone can play?
The Mystery of Love & Sex follows these two young lovers’ lives as they navigate through the maze of modern romance. This book isn’t afraid to depict the sexual aspects of a relationship, which is appropriate given the era in which it was written. The characters’ sexuality is written off as “immoral,” but in a manner that suggests there’s nothing wrong with them. The book even suggests that monogamy is preferable to infidelity.
The main characters are so different that it can be challenging to take the book seriously. At first, both Jonny and Jane seem to be writing from the same negative psychological angle. Then, the book shifts to the characters’ more positive perspectives. The two gradually learn to appreciate each other’s points of view, and they begin to look at their situation objectively. They see that what they want in the end isn’t always what they desire. And as they grow closer, their appreciation of each other grows.
The Mystery of Love & Sex is a short book covering many grounds in a relatively short period. There are several exciting sub-plots, each drawing the reader into a new light. It’s also a story that provides the couple with hope and new insights. Though the central theme is lust, there are several instances where sex is mentioned – though not as a central point of the story. This book is delightful, and I would highly recommend it.
Notes: This book is very much like Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch. except instead of a Grinch, it’s a writer. It is recommended for mature audiences only. Buy it if you like and hope that you’ll get a big laugh.
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