Search - Happiness Sold Separately

Loved it. Slow start, but by the time I got to the middle I could not put it down. About infertility and the toll it takes on a couple as well as infidelity. I really felt bad for the 10 year old boy who's parents were never in the same home with him and the feeling of not being wanted by his dad. In the end the main character feels great empathy for everyone, including he husbands mistress.

This arthor has a very good writing style and I loved the way she took it back and forth between the characters points of view.

I debated on saving this book in my keeper shelf but I believe that I should put it out there to be shared with other PBS readers.

Kept me engrossed, even though the plot twists at times were a bit unbelievable. Interesting cast of characters; sympathies alternated back and forth among them all. Covers all the bases: infertility, extra-martial affair, stages of a marriage, boy trying desperately to make his world 'right'...

Great book! I enjoyed how infidelity was viewed from all perspectives and there was no one guilty person, just the realism of life. The characters came alive and were all relatable.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I thought it was going to be so so but, as I read more it held my interest. I wouldn't want to find myself in that kind of a situation though. Who would?

This is not a continuation of Sophie's story in Winston's first novel "Good Grief".

I guess I just assumed it would be because of the way the first book ended. Like there could be and possibly was more future for Sophie. Once I got over that fact I was able to settle into the easy read of Winston's second novel, "Happiness Sold Separately".

This book covers a wide range of emotions as Elinor (and Ted) both experience the heartbreak and frustration of not being able to carry a baby full term. They both handle the loss in their own way: Elinor pulls away into herself and Ted finds Gina who gives him the affection that he is needing.

Winston has created very well-rounded characters again. Her writing is done so simple, yet extensive enough that you can feel the characters' emotions and their lives become real to the reader. The end of the book is somewhat sudden, but not in the "left hanging" kind of way. In a way, I'm almost relieved. I enjoyed the book but the story brings up hard-to-deal-with-feelings and I had to take a break in the middle. (I guess I just get really involved in good writing.)

Anyways, in summary, I think parts of the book are more graphic than Winston's first book. I liked the first book better in that way. I enjoy being able to "feel" the story but I don't want so much detail that makes me feel like I'm reading a cheap dime novel. Also, I still miss Sophie. :) (Guess that goes back to what I was saying about really getting involved.)

(For more book reviews by me, go to www.ladyreadnblog.blogspot.com)

Great story. Very entertaining. It's humor mixed with sadness and a few hundred other emotions.