When to Stay and When to Go
We love a book that gets you into it from the get-go. The prologue of Laura Dave’s The Divorce Party starts off in 1938 in Montauk, the year of the worst hurricane ever to hit Long Island. There was no warning that a storm of such force was about to happen. The novel then opens up on the alternating stories of two women who find themselves swept into a storm of emotions they didn’t see coming.
The fast paced novel takes place in one day in Montauk. Gwyn, described as still beautiful at 58, and her equally handsome husband, whom she still loves, are throwing a divorce party for their friends and family - a “celebration” of their life together on their 35th wedding anniversary as they prepare to part ways. Maggie, who is engaged to their son, and whose story alternates chapter by chapter with Gwyn’s is about to meet her future in-laws for the first time. As secrets and betrayals unravel, both women are faced with the dilemma of when it’s time to stay and when it’s time to leave a relationship. In this emotional roller-coaster you truly feel their pain. Laura Dave has real insights into relationships. One of the most poignant scenes is when a glance dashes Gwyn’s hope for reconciliation.
Expecting a breezy summer read, we were pleasantly surprised at the depth of this novel, and the questions it raises. There are lessons here for all of us.
And not surprisingly, the movie rights have been picked up by Universal Studios for Echo Films, Jennifer Aniston’s new production company. The part of Gwyn has Meryl Streep written all over it.
Three Tomatoes up!
