Jane McCafferty

I really liked the first 2/3 of this book as the main two characters grappled with the obvious flaws and trouble in their relationship. It was believable and interesting. I was somewhat less interested and not at all believing of the ending of the book and the events that led up to it. I reckon McCafferty is a pretty good writer in the sense that she's an astute observer of human behaviour and can get those observations onto paper. Sure, her characters are often a bit on the wacky side, but I like that in many ways. I think the society I live in has a lot more wacky people - slightly deviant and not really comfortable with the mainstream - than we tend to recognise.… (más)

I find it really hard to like a book where I just didn't like or understand the main characters.
I had this problem with this book as well. Although I was drawn to the his/her alternating chapters in the book, and at first could not put it down - by the "climax" at the end of it, I didn't like either Evie or Ben. Evie was so whiny I just wanted to punch her. Ben seemed so apathetic and passive, I wanted to punch him too!
However, the story of this long married couple and their relationship disintergrating was an interesting read by an author I will look out for in the future.… (más)

By Jane McCafferty

Growing, aging, and evolving, is inevitable. It is life. It is meant to be. Ideally, a couple remains connected and does this together. That is the vow of marriage. Commitment is the root of the vow. It takes equal commitment from both people, and it must be sincere, from the heart.

Evvie and Ben have been together since college. Common childhoods and interests brought them together, sealing their bond.

As years pass and life happens, differences form. Ben becomes involved in the corporate world. Creating a career also provides a lifestyle for them as a couple. He feels this is the best road to take to achieve the goals best suited for their future.

Evvie holds onto her ideals and the freedom that comes with them. She clings to what the couple originally had together. Suddenly, she realizes that Ben has taken a different road, one without her. She becomes obsessed with the idea that they belong together, whatever the cost. She sets her mind on this idea, going to extreme lengths to keep them together.

The story of a couple is told in their alternating voices. It is an emotional story, taking you inside a marriage, revealing a couple who have grown apart. This novel explores the issue from the inside out.… (más)