Who is the author of 'Trust Exercise'?

The author of 'Trust Exercise' is Susan Choi.

What are the main themes in 'Trust Exercise'?

The main themes in 'Trust Exercise' include Modern Literature, Literature, Fiction.

What genre is 'Trust Exercise'?

'Trust Exercise' is categorized as Fiction, Literature.

What is the main setting of 'Trust Exercise' and how does it impact the characters?

The main setting of 'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi is a highly competitive performing arts high school in suburban America during the 1980s. This environment significantly impacts the characters by heightening their emotional and psychological struggles. The pressure to excel in performance and navigate complex relationships breeds insecurities, intense rivalries, and deep-seated desires for approval and recognition. The school acts as a microcosm where themes of trust, deception, and the nature of art and truth are explored, influencing the characters' identities and their interactions in profound ways.

Who are the primary characters in 'Trust Exercise' and what are their relationships with one another?

In 'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi, the primary characters include: Sarah - A talented and introspective student at a prestigious performing arts high school. She grapples with her identity and relationships. David - Sarah's classmate and love interest, who is also deeply involved in the drama of their school life. Mr. Kingsley - A charismatic teacher at the school who becomes an object of fascination for the students, particularly Sarah and David. Emily - Another student who has her own complex relationship with David and Sarah. The relationships among these characters are marked by intense emotions and the complexities of teenage friendships and romantic entanglements. The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the impact of formative experiences in adolescence.

What themes related to trust and deception are explored in 'Trust Exercise'?

In 'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi, themes related to trust and deception are intricately woven into the narrative, exploring the complexities of personal relationships and the nature of truth. One prominent theme is the fragility of trust, particularly in intimate relationships, where characters grapple with their own insecurities and the motives of those around them. The story examines how easily trust can be undermined by manipulation and deception, showcasing the characters’ struggles to discern genuine connections from facades. Additionally, the book delves into the idea of performance and identity, highlighting how individuals often present curated versions of themselves, leading to misunderstandings and betrayals. The fluidity of memory and perspective also plays a critical role, suggesting that our interpretations of trust and betrayal can be subjective and unreliable. Ultimately, 'Trust Exercise' prompts readers to reflect on the nature of truth in relationships and the ways in which deception can shape our realities.

How does the structure of the narrative influence the reader's understanding of the story?

The structure of the narrative in 'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi is non-linear and divided into multiple perspectives, which significantly influences the reader's understanding of the story. The novel unfolds in a three-part format that shifts between different characters and timelines, creating a sense of disorientation and complexity. This fragmented storytelling allows readers to piece together the events from varying viewpoints, leading to a deeper exploration of themes such as memory, trust, and the nature of truth. Each section reveals different facets of the characters' relationships and experiences, challenging the reader to question the reliability of each perspective. Moreover, the use of a metafictional approach helps to emphasize the constructed nature of narratives, provoking readers to reflect on how stories are shaped and retold. Ultimately, the unconventional structure enhances the emotional impact of the plot and deepens the reader's engagement with the characters' inner lives.

What role does the concept of performance play in the lives of the characters in 'Trust Exercise'?

In 'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi, the concept of performance plays a central role in shaping the identities and relationships of the characters. Set in a competitive performing arts high school, the characters are constantly navigating the boundaries between authenticity and the personas they adopt for societal acceptance or artistic ambition. The performing arts provide a backdrop where the characters learn to present curated versions of themselves, leading to a tension between their true selves and the roles they play in their interactions. Performance manifests not only in their theatrical pursuits but also in their romantic relationships and friendships. Characters often grapple with the expectations placed upon them, resulting in emotional conflicts and a quest for truth amidst deception. The performances—whether on stage or in life—raise questions about trust, reality, and the nature of human connections, reflecting how the characters analyze and construct their identities in a world that often demands a facade.

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Trust Exercise

In 'Trust Exercise', Susan Choi weaves a labyrinth of intrigue within the confines of a performing arts high school in the 1980s. Here, friendships blur into rivalries and the line between reality and performance becomes increasingly murky. As secrets unfold, the students grapple with betrayal, identity, and the complexities of love. Choi's narrative flips perspective, forcing readers to question the reliability of memory and truth. This compelling tale challenges the nature of trust and the haunting repercussions of a single moment.

By Susan Choi

Published: 2019

""In the theater of our lives, who writes the script and who performs is often a tangled web of truths and illusions.""

WINNER OF THE 2019 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION “Electrifying” (People) • “Masterly” (The Guardian) • “Dramatic and memorable” (The New Yorker) • “Magic” (TIME) • “Ingenious” (The Financial Times) • "A gonzo literary performance” (Entertainment Weekly) • “Rare and splendid” (The Boston Globe) • “Remarkable” (USA Today) • “Delicious” (The New York Times) • “Book groups, meet your next selection" (NPR) In an American suburb in the early 1980s, students at a highly competitive performing arts high school struggle and thrive in a rarified bubble, ambitiously pursuing music, movement, Shakespeare, and, particularly, their acting classes. When within this striving “Brotherhood of the Arts,” two freshmen, David and Sarah, fall headlong into love, their passion does not go unnoticed—or untoyed with—by anyone, especially not by their charismatic acting teacher, Mr. Kingsley. The outside world of family life and economic status, of academic pressure and of their future adult lives, fails to penetrate this school’s walls—until it does, in a shocking spiral of events that catapults the action forward in time and flips the premise upside-down. What the reader believes to have happened to David and Sarah and their friends is not entirely true—though it’s not false, either. It takes until the book’s stunning coda for the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place—revealing truths that will resonate long after the final sentence. As captivating and tender as it is surprising, Susan Choi's Trust Exercise will incite heated conversations about fiction and truth, and about friendships and loyalties, and will leave readers with wiser understandings of the true capacities of adolescents and of the powers and responsibilities of adults.

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