"Inside," by Alix Ohlin

“Inside” (Knopf, 2012), a novel by Alix Ohlin, tells the interlocking stories of the four main characters in alternating chapters. We soon see how the stories connect. Grace and her ex-husband Mitch are therapists; Annie is Grace’s patient; Tug is a man in serious emotional trouble whom Grace helps and then falls in love with. The story takes place in Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, and Rwanda, among other locales. The characters are interesting, and their stories somewhat compelling. This book is the kind that one -- or at least this reader -- mildly enjoys and keeps reading, but then doesn’t remember much about after it is finished. I know this is a lukewarm recommendation, but it is the best I can give for this perfectly-fine-but-nothing-special (in my opinion) novel.