Published: Grove Press, 2011
241 pages
OK so I've been pretty busy lately, but it's time to get back to this blog business. I read this book over the summer, and I'm pretty embarrassed to admit that I read it because I saw it on a book list in Oprah's magazine. I'm swallowing my pride because I think this is an interesting book with a unique perspective and language. It's pretty dark and depressing, and we all know that's my thing, so here it is!
The protagonist of this book is Kelly Hays, a middle aged woman who is in the midst of a divorce with her husband Michael Hays. Before finalizing the divorce papers, she travels back to New Orleans to stay in the hotel she and Michael frequented in happier times. The narrative travels between Kelly, who is sitting in a hotel room by herself, and Michael, who is at a traditional Southern "ball" with his much younger new girlfriend.
The history of Kelly and Michael's marriage is revealed through the both happy and painful memories interwoven throughout the narrative. We learn about all their issues, for example: her childhood, spent trying to gain the approval of her emotionally detached father... surprise, surprise.
It's interesting how it all ends up, but really it's just a portrait of a complicated relationship that is falling apart at the seams despite two people's efforts to keep it together. It's not idealized or overly romanticized, and I enjoy that type of reality. It reminded me very much of the movie Blue Valentine, which I loved, and not just because of Ryan Gosling.
Anyway, maybe the next book I post won't be so depressing. But don't count on it.
