Somewhere in the middle of Goodbye Without Leaving -- Laurie Colwin's witty, affecting story of a young woman's struggle to make her own way in the world -- a character named Wah says, "We are constantly living the history of our own lives, you dig? You used to be your old self, now you're a new self, and someday you'll be some other self and what's now will be your old self." The confusion of this train of thought aside, Wah's analysis is fairly apt. We are constantly changing, shedding selves like onion skins. What he may have missed, however, and what Colwin's heroine, Geraldine Coleshares, comes to realize, is that the shedding of those skins is the essence of life.

Throughout the novel, Geraldine moves from life to life: touring as a back-up singer for a rhythm and blues band; dabbling in different non-profit jobs relating to music; marrying a lawyer and having a child. As each stage of her life presents different challenges, Geraldine struggles to imprint herself on the choices she has made. And each phase of her life -- from her nights on stage in a slinky dress to her days at home with her young son -- brings its revelations: about the value of pursuing one's dreams no matter how unconventional they may be; about how love and support can come from the most unexpected sources; and about the cultural and spiritual value of one's own roots. Finally, and most significantly, she learns that each stage of life brings its own blessings and surprises. The key is recognizing them, reveling in them, and sharing them with others. As Geraldine says goodbye to her youth and her recklessness, she learns to say hello to her family, her talents, and her future.