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Summary
Summary
From the New York Times bestselling author of True to Form and Open House, a searingly honest novel of a man blind-sided by sudden revelations of the wife he thought he knew.
Author Notes
Elizabeth Berg was born December 2, 1948 and educated at the University of Minnesota and at St. Mary's College.
Elizabeth Berg's first novel was "Durable Goods". "Talk Before Sleep" was a 1996 Abby Honor Book & a "New York Times" bestseller. "Range of Motion", "The Pull of the Moon", & "Joy School" were all critically acclaimed bestsellers. In 1996, she won the New England Booksellers Award for body of work. In 1997, she won the NEBA Award in fiction, and in 2000 became the author of an Oprah Book Club selection. Her book, The Dream Lover, is a New York Times 2015 bestseller.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Husbands frequently tune out their spouses, but Frank Griffin makes valiant attempts to ignore Ellen, his wife of 10 years, when she announces she has a lover and wants a divorce in this endearing, undemanding novel by Berg (True to Form, etc.). Griffin (he goes by his last name) struggles to hold on to his normal life-namely his house and his eight-year-old daughter, Zoe-while repairing his relationship with Ellen. Refreshingly, Berg tells the story from Griffin's point of view: he refuses to leave home, insisting that he and Ellen live as roommates, and tries to wear her down with small acts of kindness. A decent man and a good provider, Griffin is also-he comes to realize-a less-than-exciting partner at times, dismissive of his wife's attempts to get him to read poetry and see art movies, or try anything new at all. Eccentric, shy Ellen, an isolated, stay-at-home mother whose only friend is the waitress at her regular diner, has her own flaws. In trying to live out her adolescence 20-plus years too late, she flaunts her new romance in ways that evoke either disdain or pity for her na?vet?. Some readers may feel she gives up her quest for more freedom too quickly; others will appreciate the way she explores her complicated feelings about her marriage. Griffin, meanwhile, makes changes, too, trying a stint as a shopping mall Santa and winning a few dates. Berg has a talent for dialogue, and her skillfully crafted interactions between characters-scenes with tomboy Zoe are always a bright spot-are homey and convincing. These days, separation and divorce are commonplace, but a book that treats those subjects with Berg's tenderness and understanding is not. Agent, Lisa Bankoff. (June) Forecast: Berg's novels are high-quality comfort food, and sell accordingly. In returning to the theme of divorce, which she explored in the bestselling Oprah pick Open House, she is on particularly solid ground. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Library Journal Review
Berg explores the impact of separation on a tightly knit family that seem so typical they could be the people next door. Griffin battles the drifting away of his wife, Ellen, in a movingly introspective search from denial of the situation through acceptance. The emotions of their eight-year-old daughter, Zoe, are well captured by David Colacci's reading. It is only Ellen's voice that is not clearly addressed, but her husband's memories and feelings reflect the depth of love and loss, desire and emptiness in their relationship. Painfully real but also good humored, this is quick and easy listening; the characters will stay with you.-Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.