Audrey Matthews teaches an evening class for adults in "life drawing" -- otherwise known as a class in drawing the human body with the help of a live, nude model. Although Carrickbawn, Ireland is a small town, the students enrolled don't appear to know one another and haven't signed up with the intention of meeting anyone else. But by the last session, much has changed for the members of the group, including Audrey, who has been blissfully oblivious to the catalyzing effects of the class.

Author Roisin Meaney creates a lively tale of intertwined lives in her novel LIFE DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS. At first, from the title and plot summary, it might seem that this will be just be a variation on the cooking school novels, in which disparate people come together for a class and then end up in various happy combinations as a result. But, happily, this is not the case with Meaney's tale. Those taking the class already live lives which are quite intertwined, but they just aren't aware of how closely. As the classes progress, they gradually discover the connections that were there all along. And not all of these linkages are positive, nor are all the endings happy. Some of the stories aren't even wrapped up. Nevertheless, their resolutions seem right.

The characters presented in this novel are fascinating -- even the ones who seemed unsympathetic at first. The disagreeable characters are working through different levels of pain and misery, and the reader will soon come to feel for them and their situations. The characters who are more appealing are still realistic enough not to seem too sweet.

This is not just a simple afternoon's read, although it goes quickly and agreeably. As a big fan of Irish fiction, I loved it. Fans of contemporary fiction and complex tales will also find LIFE DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS an enjoyable read.