Rhonda (pinkcypress) reviewed Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe on + 86 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This was an absolutely fantastic book! This is my second book by this author (she also wrote another of my all-time favorites - Eating Heaven) and I think her writing is wonderful, as are the stories she tells.
This book is about Mira, a woman in her mid-40s who leaves her husband and family. It's not the most unusual plot, but this one is told with such warmth and depth that it's completely fresh. I love how Mira is re-discovering her sexuality and learning to live as herself. I love how the relationship between her and her daughter seems so real to me - as a daughter, it very closely mirrors my own relationship with my mother. I love how she grows up a bit, too, and begins to be more accepting of others and of herself.
I give this one all 5 stars!
This book is about Mira, a woman in her mid-40s who leaves her husband and family. It's not the most unusual plot, but this one is told with such warmth and depth that it's completely fresh. I love how Mira is re-discovering her sexuality and learning to live as herself. I love how the relationship between her and her daughter seems so real to me - as a daughter, it very closely mirrors my own relationship with my mother. I love how she grows up a bit, too, and begins to be more accepting of others and of herself.
I give this one all 5 stars!
Sheila C. (FabN46) reviewed Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe on + 103 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I've read other books where, wife finds out husband is cheating, leaves and attempts to start over on her own, 'finding herself' in the process, which is why I almost didn't order this book after reading the description. (But I'm so glad I did!).
Helpful Score: 1
Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe. Don't let the title or the blurb on the back of this book dissuade or mislead you.
Mira, the protagonist of this novel is a high school science teacher who, throughout her entire life, has tried to mold herself to fit her large Italian family's code of morals, beliefs, and needs. She strives to be such a perfect example of wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, ect., that she loses herself in the process.
After twenty five years of marriage she discovers Parker, her husband, has a questionable friendship with a woman from work. After a heart-breaking confrontation, Parker reveals he is no longer happy in their marriage, suggesting a divorce. Crushed, Mira tries to find solace in her family, only to have them tell her to grin and bear it for the sake of her marriage.
This book is about Mira's cathartic journey to finally discover herself as an individual person, not just an extension of her family.
I found myself really identifying with Mira's story since her upbringing (mainly her family's morals and beliefs) and struggles closely mirror some of my own. I found myself becoming angry with the heartaches she had to endure, cheering her on as she overcame obstacles, then tearing up at her set-backs.
Over all a really well written, touching novel.
Mira, the protagonist of this novel is a high school science teacher who, throughout her entire life, has tried to mold herself to fit her large Italian family's code of morals, beliefs, and needs. She strives to be such a perfect example of wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, ect., that she loses herself in the process.
After twenty five years of marriage she discovers Parker, her husband, has a questionable friendship with a woman from work. After a heart-breaking confrontation, Parker reveals he is no longer happy in their marriage, suggesting a divorce. Crushed, Mira tries to find solace in her family, only to have them tell her to grin and bear it for the sake of her marriage.
This book is about Mira's cathartic journey to finally discover herself as an individual person, not just an extension of her family.
I found myself really identifying with Mira's story since her upbringing (mainly her family's morals and beliefs) and struggles closely mirror some of my own. I found myself becoming angry with the heartaches she had to endure, cheering her on as she overcame obstacles, then tearing up at her set-backs.
Over all a really well written, touching novel.
