Susan Choi is a fine writer with an understanding of the complex layers of humanity; however, in her novel American Woman these layers rarely came together to create full characters. Details of life habits do not, of themselves, endow life. The plot, borrowed from history, is nothing without the characters: how their inner reflections shape their external relationships. Unfortunately, Ms. Choi offers a profusion of details without definition, leaving Jenny and Frazer unfocused while Juan and Yvonne remain caricatures. Pauline is her most successful character--never her own person, but always as others see her.