I have the impression from his emails that Mr. Henkin is a very nice man and I felt bad that I didn't read the first book he sent me so I vowed to be sure and read this one. He dedicated this book to his father who died on October 4, 2010. That made me choke up because my mother died the month before. I saw that as a sign that we had a bond and I was for sure going to love his book.
So much for signs. I didn't love this book. It was well-written but I did not like any of the people and the family drama was too much for me. Another time it may have appealed to me but when I read it was not that time.
That said, I think it is a book that many people will like. There were some pretty funny spots - like when the wife hit her husband in the eye with a tennis racket. He so deserved it! I cheered.
The Frankel family gathered at their beloved summer home in the Berkshires where the mother and father were going to inform the children and grandchildren that they were separating. They had been married 39 years. It was a shocker to be sure. The kids couldn't believe that they would divorce after so long. That part I could understand. Don't get me wrong - I love Candleman and all, but there are days. In the Frankel's case their only son had been killed a year ago while on assignment to Iraq. I have heard that the death of a loved one can create quite a wedge between couples.
I definitely think you should read other reviews about this book. Don't cross it off your list based on my review. Like I say - at another time I may have loved it.
** I received a free copy of The World Without You from Joshua Henkin. No other compensation was received.
1 comment:
I really love family dramas, so this actually sounds like one that I would really enjoy. I can't imagine the emotional upheaval a family would feel if a couple of 39 years split! Thanks for this great review, and for sharing your thoughts on it with us. I might just have to search this one out!
Post a Comment