Review of Pick a Color by Alison L. Goodwin
When I stumbled upon Pick a Color by Alison L. Goodwin, I was intrigued by the setting—a nail salon populated entirely by Susans. It felt like an audacious premise that promised to unravel more than just the secrets behind manicured nails. What I found was a deeply resonant exploration of identity, invisibility, and the complexities of human connection, all wrapped in a surprisingly humorous package.
At its core, Pick a Color chronicles the life of a former boxer, now a nail salon owner, whose nine fingers tell a story of both physical and emotional battles. Goodwin’s protagonist dons the armor of polite detachment, managing her salon with an iron grip that masks her vulnerabilities. As she moves through the daily rituals of filing and waxing, we witness her sharp observations about the clientele—an eclectic mix ranging from a fragile baseball player to self-care addicts. Each character, a rich tapestry of insecurities and delusions, highlights the often absurd lengths to which some go for self-worth.
The salon itself, dubbed "Susan’s," serves as a stage where power dynamics play out in subtle and impactful ways. The clients perched above their Susans position themselves as the rulers, but as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear: it’s the Susans who wield the true power. This nuanced transition prompted me to reflect on the nature of servitude, control, and the roles we play in our own lives—how easily we can slip into performing for others while concealing our true selves.
Goodwin’s writing style is strikingly candid, evoking a blend of biting humor and poignant realism. The pacing feels deliberate, allowing each moment to resonate deeply. It struck me how much the narrative thrives on showing rather than telling; it captures women working hard under the weight of societal expectations and their own frustrations, as they joke and jest in a fragile sanctuary. One of my favorite moments was when the narrator declares, “Survival depends on smiling through other people’s small talk about Pilates and their dead Labradoodles." It’s a reminder of how many of us manage our own struggles while tending to the needs of others.
The themes of beauty and labor resonate throughout the book, serving as a mirror for contemporary societal issues. Goodwin compels us to question who holds the lens and to what end—how beauty becomes bartered as self-esteem while the labor that creates it remains undervalued. This is beautifully illustrated in her portrayal of the Susans and their dance with both camaraderie and competition.
Pick a Color deftly weaves together humor, heartache, and keen observations on class and race, making it an important read for anyone grappling with identity in a fast-paced world. I left the pages feeling as though I had shared a transformative experience with the characters—one that made me confront the layers of both my own and others’ facades.
If you’re drawn to narratives that explore the intersections of humor and humanity, often reflecting on workplaces where emotional labor is the norm, then this book will likely linger with you long after closing its pages. Goodwin has crafted a gem that is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking, ensuring that while it might seem like it’s just about nail polish, it truly delves into the polished complexities of life itself.