The Break by Marian KeyesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - in and over 4 days
Pages - 576
Publisher - Michael Joseph
Source - Book shop
Blurb From Goodreads
'Myself and Hugh . . . We're taking a break.'
'A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?'
If only.
Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her.
He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in south-east Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it.
Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet . . .
However, for Amy it's enough to send her - along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers - teetering over the edge.
For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman?
Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then isn't she?
The Break isn't a story about falling in love but about staying in love. It is Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest and brilliant best.
My Review
Hugh and Amy have been through so much in all their years together, Hugh has had a recent bereavement and no one could have foreseen just how much it would change things. Hugh wants to go on a break, whether Amy agrees or not. Six months travelling, doing what he needs to but he isn't leaving her, it is just six months and he will be back. Everyone has an opinion, Amy doesn't know how to feel but she has six months to work it out right?
Oh I do love Marian Keyes, no matter how serious the topics you always get an injection of the irish humour. This is a hard hitting book and will be for some readers as infidelity plays a large part, extra martial affairs and the fall out/impact of people's decision/actions and consequences.
I love love love the wee granny, Amy's mum. I tweeted the author and asked if she is getting her own book, she really should do, she is comedy gold and just a great character. I experienced so many emotions reading this book, anger, horror, laughter, joy, sadness, outrage, uck it is just a grand book that gets you het up and engaging in what is going on. I went through stages of loathing a few of the characters, actual rage at the selfishness but all in all it is a grand read and I look forward to the next from Keyes, 4/5 for me this time.
I think that the actions of Amy's husband would frustrate me if I read this book. Such frustration might make it hard to get through this. With that, it sounds very good. I have head good things about Keyes.
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about this author as well. Great review, Lainy! I will keep an eye out for this novel.
ReplyDeleteHi Lainy, this is a unique plot idea for a book and having read Marian Keyes before I know she can write. There is a reason that spouses don't just take a six month sabatical from their marriage because they can't be sure things will be the same when they return. Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteA fan of good female characters, it sounds like I'd love granny.
ReplyDeleteAn author I can either take or leave, I find her writing OK but certainly wouldn't rave about it as many do. I may well have passed this book by if it wasn't for your mention of what sounds like a memorable character.