""It's too much baggage to bring to the table," he'd said. "It would be unfair to impose that burden on a child - to make them afraid of life because I'm afraid of death.""
That's Ellen' boyfriend, Malcolm, speaking.
At 35, Ellen Franck, a successful New York career woman, longs to have a child. There's also the pressure from her overbearing parents and the fact the her sister Lynn has Nicole, her little niece whom she calls The Pickle. There's just one hitch: the man she's in love with, Malcolm, does not want to have a child after his own died a few years back and his wife left him. So, despite being in love with each other, and Ellen knowing what she wants, but Malcolm unsure of his feelings, they decide to part ways. Ellen pursues her goal of having a child by going to a sperm clinic. After a year of not having contact with each other, Malcolm appears during Ellen's pregnancy - he wants her back! He's cured of whatever ailed him before and is now sure he wants Ellen and what Ellen wants.
-o0o-
i hardly ever read any chick lit unless there is any historical infusion in the story. the novel is predictable, but of course, but i read this because laura zigman, from the outset, is very funny and her writing is crisp and easy to digest. there was no point in the story that would bore you, at least it didn't bore me, because every topic touched on the novel rang true, not only from my experiences (family and friends and boyfriends) but from experiences of people i have known throughout my life. it is a 'feel-good' book which makes you look at her characters' perspectives and compare them with yours or somebody you've known. if you prefer light reading, this is a good one to indulge in.
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tornado watch in effect in toronto tonight. those poor trees!
Nice book review not just because it has a happy ending. I like the character references you provide as well. Hope that tornado does not wreak havoc for you.
wonderful review -- and how perfect, a playground to illustrate it!! I want to read it! (watch out for the tornados, Dorothy!!!!! Grab Toto and RUN -- for the cellar, that is!!)
sounds like a good read! Have you read any Marion Keyes? Sounds like a similar kind of writer, a bit chick lit but a really good writer and very funny.
nice little lonely picture here...;-)
@cscecil - thank you, CS. the tornado was a dud (at least from where i was sitting inside the living room) thunder and lightning and a spitting rain. i shall do an investigation of the area when i go to work this morning. ;-)
@danig - it is possible i've read marion keyes. problem for me when i read is i pay no attention to who wrote the book most times. it stems from reading books without title covers when i was still in the big country, because that's the condition of the books available to me. thanks for the comment on the photo. it was early morning when i took it and it was eerie looking. i had to brighten it up a bit.
@deens - thank you, nadine. but the industry's too crowded already. i much prefer to write although i'm hardly doing that this month; should change soon with the change in the weather.
i think i have read this, sounds so familiar, especially since the hero's name is malcolm, like my husband, but for some reason can't quite place it in my mind. i looked and it is not here, but that means nothing as i give so many away. wonderful shot to match your review. love playgrounds.
@catsmeowb - i'm that way, i could barely remember the books i've read. sometimes i buy a book only to find that i have it all along in my bookshelf and i've read it already. i get embarrassed even with myself. i like the name malcolm. but if i had a boyfriend named malcolm he probably would dump me as i can't pronounce that name properly and i'd end up laughing maybe or calling him say greg or bruce. :-)
I love how you captured the brightness of the playground and the shade of the trees. The book sounds like a nice lite read..I'm thinking hammock by the water...Iced tea close by and perhaps a snack or two
another great allegorical illustration - an empty playground representing the loss of a child and emptiness of fear, the fear Malcolm has of losing another so much that he does not dare to try...yet the potential for that playground to ring with childish laughter is always there
September 18th, 2011
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nice little lonely picture here...;-)
@danig - it is possible i've read marion keyes. problem for me when i read is i pay no attention to who wrote the book most times. it stems from reading books without title covers when i was still in the big country, because that's the condition of the books available to me. thanks for the comment on the photo. it was early morning when i took it and it was eerie looking. i had to brighten it up a bit.
@deens - thank you, nadine. but the industry's too crowded already. i much prefer to write although i'm hardly doing that this month; should change soon with the change in the weather.