Another repost. I still love this book, although I haven't read it in a while.
I must admit, this is one of my favourite books.
Olivia met her husband Johnny when he was seventeen, ten years before. She'd been with her two best friends, Molly and Imogen. Although Molly had flirted with him, and then Imogen had dated him, it was Olivia who eventually married him. One of the main themes in the book is the claim all three girls always felt they had on Johnny.
Ten years later, as the book starts, Olivia, Johnny, and their daughter have just moved into their dream home and our working on redecorating it. Olivia is understandably shocked when Johnny suddenly announces that he's leaving her, especially when she discovers that it's for another woman. Whatever else he's been, Johnny's always been honourable. The idea of doing what's right has always been very important to him, and the development of the idea of what the effect of Johnny's idealistic (deceased) father, and living up to perfection has had on him takes up a good part of the book.
The book is over five hundred pages long, and so littered with subplots and events that it's impossible to briefly define it. There are many themes - as I said, how Olivia, Molly and Imogen's friendship has developed with the influence of a man they all loved, Johnny's attempts to live up to what he sees as his father's affection, Olivia's coping with bringing up her own daughter while trying not to repeat her mothers mistakes, as well as coming to terms with the realisation that, for years, her friend's mother has hated her. There're also the builders in the back garden, who have their own problems. Lance, Mac, Spiro and Alf, while essentially comic relief, are also well rounded and realistic characters, who all contribute to the plot in unique ways, much like all the other characters in the book. There are far more characters and subplots, but, realistically, it's impossible to describe them all. However, each event does contribute to the book as a whole. Each person contributes to Olivia's knowledge, ideas and experiences (the book being told from Olivia's point of view) and so colour the decisions she makes, whether subtly or obviously.
However, I suppose it could be said, that the most important part of the book is Olivia's attempts to cope with the desertion of her husband. Although he's been acting strangely for a while, she'd never once suspected an affair. It becomes worse when Olivia discovers that Nina, the other woman, is a teacher at her daughter, Claudia's school. At first Olivia is furious, but as time goes by, she begins to long for a glimpse of Nina merely to keep some semblance of a hold on Johnny. Although Olivia does her best to cope with her new status, her feelings of grief and betrayal are fairly well explored. The quality of writing in the book remains constant throughout (quite a feat, given the length), but two scenes really stand out. One of these scenes is when Olivia and Nina finally manage to confront each other, both in possession of all the facts, and neither attempting to play games. It's a truly powerful scene. Both women are portrayed sympathetically, and manage to present both sides of the discussion clearly and articulately.
The book is very feminine, and it may not be to everyone's taste. It's a little more serious and slightly more heavy than many of it's contemporaries, and, due to how fast I read, I really like the length. Many books end too soon, or feel slightly rushed, or just don't have enough substance. This book does, and I can honestly say that there isn't a single page I don't like or a single plot twist I would wish to change.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to reread it for the twelfth time.
I must admit, this is one of my favourite books.
Olivia met her husband Johnny when he was seventeen, ten years before. She'd been with her two best friends, Molly and Imogen. Although Molly had flirted with him, and then Imogen had dated him, it was Olivia who eventually married him. One of the main themes in the book is the claim all three girls always felt they had on Johnny.
Ten years later, as the book starts, Olivia, Johnny, and their daughter have just moved into their dream home and our working on redecorating it. Olivia is understandably shocked when Johnny suddenly announces that he's leaving her, especially when she discovers that it's for another woman. Whatever else he's been, Johnny's always been honourable. The idea of doing what's right has always been very important to him, and the development of the idea of what the effect of Johnny's idealistic (deceased) father, and living up to perfection has had on him takes up a good part of the book.
The book is over five hundred pages long, and so littered with subplots and events that it's impossible to briefly define it. There are many themes - as I said, how Olivia, Molly and Imogen's friendship has developed with the influence of a man they all loved, Johnny's attempts to live up to what he sees as his father's affection, Olivia's coping with bringing up her own daughter while trying not to repeat her mothers mistakes, as well as coming to terms with the realisation that, for years, her friend's mother has hated her. There're also the builders in the back garden, who have their own problems. Lance, Mac, Spiro and Alf, while essentially comic relief, are also well rounded and realistic characters, who all contribute to the plot in unique ways, much like all the other characters in the book. There are far more characters and subplots, but, realistically, it's impossible to describe them all. However, each event does contribute to the book as a whole. Each person contributes to Olivia's knowledge, ideas and experiences (the book being told from Olivia's point of view) and so colour the decisions she makes, whether subtly or obviously.
However, I suppose it could be said, that the most important part of the book is Olivia's attempts to cope with the desertion of her husband. Although he's been acting strangely for a while, she'd never once suspected an affair. It becomes worse when Olivia discovers that Nina, the other woman, is a teacher at her daughter, Claudia's school. At first Olivia is furious, but as time goes by, she begins to long for a glimpse of Nina merely to keep some semblance of a hold on Johnny. Although Olivia does her best to cope with her new status, her feelings of grief and betrayal are fairly well explored. The quality of writing in the book remains constant throughout (quite a feat, given the length), but two scenes really stand out. One of these scenes is when Olivia and Nina finally manage to confront each other, both in possession of all the facts, and neither attempting to play games. It's a truly powerful scene. Both women are portrayed sympathetically, and manage to present both sides of the discussion clearly and articulately.
The book is very feminine, and it may not be to everyone's taste. It's a little more serious and slightly more heavy than many of it's contemporaries, and, due to how fast I read, I really like the length. Many books end too soon, or feel slightly rushed, or just don't have enough substance. This book does, and I can honestly say that there isn't a single page I don't like or a single plot twist I would wish to change.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to reread it for the twelfth time.
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