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"Trust Exercise" by Susan Choi is a complex and nuanced exploration of power dynamics, betrayal, and the effects of trauma. The novel is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct voice and perspective. The first section focuses on a group of high school students at a performing arts school in the 1980s, and the second section jumps forward in time to focus on two of those students, Sarah and David, as adults. The third section takes a surprising turn, revealing that much of what the reader thought they knew about the characters and their relationships may not be entirely true.At its core, "Trust Exercise" is a meditation on the ways in which power can be wielded in relationships, both romantic and platonic. The students at the performing arts school are constantly negotiating power dynamics with each other, whether it's through the authority of their teachers or the social hierarchy of their peer group. But the novel also highlights the ways in which power imbalances can be perpetuated through trauma. Without giving too much away, it becomes clear in the second section that Sarah has experienced a traumatic event that has deeply affected her relationships with others. As a result, she is both vulnerable to manipulation and also capable of wielding power over others in subtle and insidious ways.One of the most striking aspects of "Trust Exercise" is Choi's skillful use of perspective to manipulate the reader's understanding of the story. In the first section, the narrative is told from the perspective of Sarah's boyfriend, David. He is an unreliable narrator, and the reader begins to suspect that he may not be telling the whole truth about his relationship with Sarah and the events that take place. In the second section, the narrative switches to Sarah's perspective, and the reader begins to see things from her point of view. But even then, it's not entirely clear what is real and what is not. The third section is the most surprising of all, as it calls into question much of what the reader thought they knew about the characters and their relationships. Choi uses these shifting perspectives to create a sense of disorientation and to challenge the reader's assumptions about the story.Another notable aspect of "Trust Exercise" is the way in which it interrogates the role of art in our lives. The performing arts school that the students attend is meant to be a place where they can explore their creativity and develop their talents. But the novel suggests that the pressure to succeed and the emphasis on competition can have damaging effects on young artists. In one memorable scene, a student performs a monologue that is clearly intended to be provocative and controversial, but the teacher's response is dismissive and unsupportive. The novel suggests that art can be a powerful tool for exploring difficult emotions and experiences, but that it can also be co-opted and commodified in ways that are harmful.Overall, "Trust Exercise" is a complex and thought-provoking novel that explores a wide range of themes and ideas. Choi's writing is sharp and precise, and she creates a vivid and fully-realized world that is both recognizable and unsettling. The novel challenges the reader to think deeply about power dynamics, trauma, and the role of art in our lives. It's a book that rewards careful attention and close reading, and it's sure to stay with readers long after they've turned the final page.