The Man By Laura Sims Source Received from the publisher
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on July 7, 2026
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Rating:
The photos Judith Stanley takes are just for her, a private passion to fill her suburban days. But when she shares them with Paul Sorenson, her new photography instructor, she's unprepared to hear his astonished praise. "Stunning," he calls her photos. "Extraordinary." She has an uncanny eye, he says, and should consider publication. He could help. Except Judith has no interest in sharing her work; in fact, the mere idea of it frightens her.
Still, emboldened by Paul’s encouragement, Judith ventures out beyond her quiet neighborhood to the city in search of increasingly striking images. When she starts to notice the dark shape of a man in the corner of her self-portraits, Judith is certain he's an attacker from her past. She doesn't know why he has returned, but she's sure of his the hoarse sound of his breathing, his hard grip on her elbow. Perhaps it would appease the man if she were to put her camera down and give up her private passion. But she can't; she refuses. Until one night when the man finally emerges from the shadows, and Judith’s story suddenly and irrevocably becomes his own.
Chilling and heart-poundingly propulsive, The Man is a phenomenal and timely novel exploring the inescapable fear of living as a woman, the tantalizing seduction of artistic freedom, and the very real dangers that lurk both inside and outside the confines of the mind. The Man marks Laura Sims as an extraordinary talent at the top of her game; and this, her third novel, is her greatest achievement yet.
I have enjoyed both books by Laura Sims that I’ve read (Looker and How Can I Help You), and was really looking forward to something new from her this year. As I was partway through The Man, I knew that this is probably my favourite of her books.
I was pulled in to Judith’s story and headspace right away and couldn’t put it down, and was caught off guard by the direction the story took more than once.
I highlighted so many passages that struck something within me, particularly those pertaining to privacy, artistry, and living as a woman. For me, this one didn’t give any easy answers, but I really enjoyed turning it over in my mind and examining it.
This is out on July 7 and I highly recommend it!
