Vivian Ashmead is a distinguished employment recruiter and retention specialist, celebrated for her prowess in the field. Known for her relentless determination, Vivian often pushes boundaries to achieve her goals, even at the expense of her own dignity. Frequently dispatched to various locations across the country, she excels in recruiting new talent, re-engaging former professionals, and retaining existing employees to ensure organizational success.
Vivian takes immense pride in her work and her status as the top performer at Aberlin Consulting, a recognition shared by her superior, Hal. Her career is her identity, and she cannot envision life without it. However, in response to the critical personnel shortages in hospitals exacerbated by the pandemic, Vivian is reassigned from the technology sector to healthcare. This shift highlights her adaptability as she tackles the urgent challenge of medical staffing. Her first assignment in Charleston, SC, under Aberlin’s healthcare contract, places immense pressure on her to succeed. Vivian faces the daunting task of convincing healthcare workers to return to their field despite their justified reasons for leaving, with the hope that the success will lead to more contracts and a long-awaited promotion for Vivian.
As Vivian endeavors to bring back healthcare workers, she encounters Eugene Spinner, a former Physical Therapist whose resistance to her usual tactics forces her to rethink her approach. Her meticulous plans start to unravel, and she struggles to maintain control. Befriending Eugene, Vivian begins to realize that there may be more to life than work. Just as things begin to improve, Vivian is transferred to New Orleans, where she meets Henrietta, a supportive business cheerleader for Vivian. Despite Henrietta’s encouragement, Vivian grapples with the challenge of balancing her career ambitions with her personal life. The internal conflict between her drive for professional success and the desire for a fulfilling life intensifies, leading her to question what happens when one has given everything to a career, only to find it insufficient. Vivian’s journey is a poignant exploration of ambition and the search for meaning beyond professional achievements.
"Done" by Desi Stowe is a compelling contemporary fiction novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships, self-discovery, and the ever-elusive quest for personal fulfillment. The central themes of the novel focus on navigating the challenges of identifying genuine friendships, maintaining a work-life balance, and dealing with the complexities of inopportune relations. The novel’s exploration of mental health and self-care is particularly poignant. Vivian’s struggles with maintaining her mental well-being amidst the demands of her career and personal life are portrayed with sensitivity and insight. The author does not shy away from depicting the challenges that come with prioritizing self-care, making Vivian’s journey towards mental health a significant and relatable aspect of the story.
Another striking aspect of "Done" is Desi Stowe’s deft character development. The characters are marvelously written with great depth, making them extremely relatable. The protagonist, Vivian, is not just a main character; she is a multifaceted individual whose journey is marked by both triumphs and setbacks. As the story progresses, readers find themselves rooting for Vivian, feeling compassion toward her, and hoping she makes the right choices—if such choices even exist. Vivian’s journey of making unexpected friends and second-guessing her career-focused decisions adds layers of complexity to her character.
This author’s writing style is both evocative and accessible, making complex emotions and situations easy to understand without oversimplifying them. Desi Stowe’s use of language is poetic yet grounded, capturing the essence of contemporary life with a keen eye for detail. This blend of beauty and realism in her prose helps to create a reading experience that is both immersive and thought-provoking.
Desi Stowe's writing paints vivid pictures of Vivian’s internal and external struggles that resonate deeply with readers. The mixed emotions that Vivian experiences throughout the story are spot-on. For example, this author gives readers moments of happiness when Vivian seems to be “living” and moments of discouragement when she pushes people away. The supporting characters further enhance Vivian's relatability, each adding depth and nuance to the story. This author crafts each character with such precision that readers can easily see parts of themselves in some of these fictional personas.
The novel’s plot is equally engaging, weaving together themes of potential love, the discovery of true friendship, and self-acceptance with a pace that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Desi Stowe masterfully balances moments of introspection with dynamic events, ensuring that the story never loses momentum. The narrative structure, with its careful interlacing of small known parts of Vivian's past and present, allows readers to fully grasp the evolution of her character and the situations that have shaped her.
"Done" also offers a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by those in the healthcare field. The novel shines a light on issues such as staff burnout, low morale, the need for better pay and holiday compensation, improved security, and increased staffing—all critical topics that are often overlooked by the general public. Desi Stowe's depiction of these struggles adds an important layer to the narrative, making the book not just a personal journey for Vivian, but also a commentary on broader societal issues.
"Done" by Desi Stowe is a remarkable addition to the canon of contemporary fiction. It is a book that not only entertains but also prompts readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships. Through Vivian’s journey, Desi Stowe explores universal themes with sensitivity and understanding, making "Done" a novel that stays with you long after the final page is turned. Whether you are looking for a poignant story of personal growth or simply a beautifully written narrative, "Done" is a must-read.
“DONE” expertly combines beauty and realism to craft an engaging and reflective reading journey, exploring profound topics like identity, love, and loss, while unraveling the intricacies of life and the decisions that influence our futures.
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