Lo Patrick’s latest novel, “Fast Boys and Pretty Girls,” published by Sourcebooks, offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of an unformed young woman from rural North Georgia who is propelled into the superficial world of modeling in New York City.
The narrative oscillates between her heady adolescent experiences and the grounded reality of her adult life, particularly after her four daughters stumble upon mysterious remains at their family home.
This discovery prompts questions about connections to the glossy, superficial world of fashion and the reckless bad boy who captures the narrator’s heart.
Dani, the narrator, finds herself enchanted by this motorcycle-riding figure who embodies the allure of danger and youth, leaving seasoned readers to recognize the compelling, yet perilous, nature of infatuation.
The narrative also features Dani’s mother, who initially seems to be a fearless truth-teller from the hills, yet her motives and perspective add complexity to the story as characters interact chaotically, reminiscent of colliding billiard balls.
Lo Patrick, 44, who resides in Atlanta, is no stranger to the tumultuous world of fashion and modeling, having previously explored these themes in her earlier works, “The Floating Girls” and “The Night the River Wept.”
In her novels, Patrick’s characters are often tenacious young women dealing with deep-seated, haunting secrets, and she acknowledges that coming-of-age stories are a recurring theme in her writing.
“I do tend to lean toward a coming-of-age story,” she notes. “Finding oneself is a recurring theme in my work, which might mean I am still trying to find myself. ‘Fast Boys and Pretty Girls’ has much more of a focus on regret, guilt and shame than my other works.
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