Coming To Be: A Novel

A devastating blow in Carly Brennan's life propels her on a rugged journey away from the past and into a new way of living. The title words "Coming To Be" comes from Plato: "Nothing ever is, but everything is always coming to be." When Carly is caught off guard by an unexpected divorce, her two best friends from college days and the wisdom of her mother guide her to discover her capacity to accept exciting opportunities and achieve unimaginable heights in relationship and love. With much of the novel set as a flash back to the sixties and the exploration of love and sex in college days, the music of that era brings back memories. A conservative Polish girl is challenged by new norms, meeting a handsome, charming guy, who becomes her husband. The unexpected divorce many years later forces Carley to re-examine the choices she made, the unconscious assumptions about love and sex, and the underlying condition of bipolar ups and downs that were never understood. Withe the support of devoted friends and family, she faces issues so many women face today. The Discussion Guide in Coming to Be makes it especially relevant for women's book clubs, allowing members to discuss their own achievements and disappointments in depth to gain personal insight.