Monogamy

This is the book that I wish I had written. Every now and again, we read a book that touches us deeply, that speaks to and for us, that seems so real that we totally understand the characters. This is one of those books.From the very first pages, I loved this book. It is so well written that I found myself savouring every word. I read it slowly, not wanting to rush it, as I simply did not want it to end. I was fully immersed in the lives of the characters and their emotions. I could identify with them all as we lived through their lives and emotions. I think the writer provided us with deep insight into how families and marriages work, how our lives and actions impact on others. How we parent our children can affect how they grow up and see the world, and how mothers can be harshly judged whatever they do.This book explores the realities of life from birth to death, good and bad, in some depth. The detail is first class.

This is a strange book and one which took some time getting into.I guess it would be categorised as literary fiction in as much as it is a slow burning, introspective but beautifully written book about marriage, love, loss, grief, parent and offspring relationships and relationships with ex partners.Annie is married to Graham, a larger than life, loud, fat and exuberant bookstore owner. They have a daughter Sarah. Graham used to be married to Frieda with whom he had a son Lucas. Frieda ended their marriage because of Graham's infidelity.None of the characters were particularly likeable but I grew to like Annie more as well as Frieda. My opinions of Graham didn't alter that much as I couldn't find a way to excuse his numerous dalliances with other women, although the way in which Miller portrays his neediness for life and 'stuff' does in some small way help the reader to understand Graham more.The novel charts their interactions and thoughts, their attitudes towards one another and monogamy itself. There is a bizarre overlap of lives where Frieda and Annie are friends, as are Lucas and Sarah and even Graham, loving Annie, purposefully keeping Frieda close by.The depth of emotions felt by each character is richly conveyed in the narrative and the reader is pulled in to share the despair, the questioning, the sadness and the forgiving.I particularly liked the meeting with the writer Lucas is an editor for, wondering if Annie will fall again for his charms after 30 years since meeting him at an artists' colony. The dialogue helps the reader to see how Annie comes to terms with what has happened and how her perception of her husband and his first wife can be reconciled in order to carry on feeling love, rather than feeling angry. The ending is perfect and left me with a sense of having met a courageous woman capable of great things.I am pleased I persevered through the first few chapters and would urge others to do so, but in all honesty I don't think this is a book for any reader expecting a fast-paced plot. Monogamy for me is a 'why' book rather than a 'what' book and you need to love tiny, intricate details to really enjoy the read.

When the larger-than-life bookshop owning Graham dies, his second wife, photographer Annie, discovers that her much-loved husband has been involved in an affair. It is true that they’d never made a point of promising to be totally faithful to one another (in fact Graham, as a ‘child of the sixties’, actually indulged in an open marriage of sorts with his first wife Frieda); however, as Graham had always told Annie how much he loved her and was aware that his previous infidelities caused the break up of his first marriage, Annie believed that Graham would never be unfaithful to her. Feeling shocked and hurt, Annie is even more hurt when she discovers that Frieda knew about the affair after Graham confessed it to her, and as Annie and Frieda have become close over the years, she feels doubly betrayed. Trying to make sense of what has happened and struggling to adjust to life without the man who was such a huge presence in her life, Annie finds herself questioning her relationship with her husband. Why did Graham, who'd remained particularly close to his first wife, confess the affair to Frieda? Who was Graham really? Did he really love her? And what would have happened to their marriage if he hadn’t died?This well-written novel, which looks at marriage, monogamy (or the lack of it), family, friendship and grief, is one that from the synopsis I thought I’d very much enjoy. However, although I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of Annie's and Graham’s life, of their family home and particularly of Graham’s bookshop, I just couldn’t warm to them as people - the larger-than-life Graham, supposedly so generous, but who had difficulty remaining faithful and who put his own needs before others; and Annie, somewhat cool and remote and whose lack of understanding towards her daughter sadly led to them having a dysfunctional relationship - and although I sympathised with Annie in her predicament, I found it rather difficult to really care about her and what was going to happen to her, which was a shame. I also found the close relationship that both Graham and Annie had with Frieda a little odd. All of this made it difficult for me to rate this novel by Amazon’s star rating, and as I read this a couple of weeks ago and forgot to write a review (which says something about my lack of involvement with the story) and, writing this now, I have difficulty remembering a huge amount about it (which says even more) I feel it has to be a three star rating. So, a well-written novel which looks at some interesting issues, but not a hugely satisfying read and not one I feel I would really recommend.3 Stars.

As with all the excellent books from this writer, it sucks you in and holds you there til that very last line when you realise you can breathe again. As always, an intelligent read that makes this book intriguing and engaging and a joy to read with its detail. You are there with Annie, in her actions, in her reactions, in her head! Living her life as if it were your own and being thankful for such a privilege.

I found it hard to put down. Many interesting characters and the reader gets to peek into their lives. Some sad moments and events.

A história é bem escrita, mas lá pelo meio do livro não achei muito interessante, ficou um pouco arrastado e monótono. No entanto, o início e o final são bem mais empolgantes.

I read through the book waiting for some exciting, interesting plot twist to happen but it didn't... I wouldn't recommend reading it

Its a good read...ringing quite a few bells as each generation has its own view of events both past and present.

Sue Miller delights her readers with another hard - to - put - down read, dealing with the intricacies of everyday life, all the nuances of love, jealousy and grief experienced by women along a marriage which seems, at first sight, perfect and enviable! Her well known writing craft is present in detailing all the little features which make each of her characters whole and in designing a plot which keeps us engaged to the very last page! Worth reading !