I want to summer in Greece!

The Outsiders reference alone was enough to make me love this book.  For some reason, though, this book took me a lot longer to read than normal.  I couldn't get into it.  I enjoyed what I read but the jumping from narrator to narrator felt very disjointed to me.   

Anya's killed someone secret was completely obvious.  I was kind of hoping that there was some accident and the guy got killed right after having sex and it wasn't an abortion story.  I think I probably feel that way because it seems like every teenager in any story anywhere on TV or in books gets knocked up on their first or second time trying sex.  In the real world it isn't that easy to get pregnant.  And for some reason now the prevalence of this storyline bothers me.   I get the whole Catholic guilt thing, but they could've easily given her the same 'curse' through another way.  That being said, I actually liked Anya.  And I liked that she worked for part of the summer.  It gives it a little more of a 'real' feel, although I don't know what the labor laws are for immigrants and all that.  (Clearly I work in HR, I get bogged down by thoughts about that sort of thing.)

I'm glad Parker didn't take her icky husband back.  I'm not sure how I feel about Claire taking her philandering husband back.  I suppose they were contrasted to give us kind of a broader view of marriage and all that.  Since Claire had all sorts of history with her husband I can see how it wouldn't be so easy to be done with it.  At the same time, though, I don't know that I bought that it was THAT easy to forgive and forget.  I would think having been together that long his affair would've cut a whole lot worse than Parker's husband's. 

I agree with Heather who wasn't sure what to think of Kelah.  She was definitely the least developed of the characters.  I don't know that I would have been so okay with someone writing about my life in articles, even if I were 'disguised.'  (Hint Michelle. ;) )

Finally, throughout the whole book I kept thinking I want to eat at that Greek Restaurant Corfu Island in Westlake when I go visit Michelle, except I'm pretty sure it has closed down. :)

Comments

[Mishka]

I was bothered that Claire took back her husband too...but I had a feeling that the author decided that both cheated women couldn't leave for good.

I thought the fact that Parker stayed on was a bit cheesy but it was okay, I guess. The whole abortion thing was a bit over the top too...but I think they were looking for some kind of drama for each character.

Overall I enjoyed the book but it wouldn't be one that I would highly recommend to anyone.

[Peeved Michelle]

I knew you would like Anya. Also, Corfu restaurant is closed.

[mtlm]

There is a semi-fast food restaurant chain called Daphne's that serves Greek food. They opened one in the refurbished Albertson's plaza. It's probably not totally authentic but it's still pretty good.

[mtlm]

Since I know several women whose husbands have cheated but they took them back, this was actually a believable occurance. All of these women have better marriages than they did before. (Now that I said that, it makes me think of the "found it the last place you looked" scenario. Obviously their marriages are better or they'd be divorced now right?)

Anyway, marriage is not something to be taken lightly and although it would be devastating, I like to think that I would at least try before giving up something so precious. Especially since Claire had been married for so long and had an established family.

Now if I were in Parker's situation, I don't think there is even a miniscule chance I would've taken that guy back.

Two totally different situations.

[mtlm]

I forgot to add ...

It is actually easier to forgive someone in whom you have so much invested and can understand more how it happened. They grew apart, he was tempted by someone younger and new, etc.

The other guy first abandoned his wife and then cheated at the time when each person is supposed to be most in love and committed. That's a little harder to understand and forgive.

Also, I don't think it was easy for Claire. She had a lot of things happen to her, slept with someone else herself and did have a few months to think about it.

Regarding Anya, I totally didn't see the abortion thing coming. I thought maybe she was molested and killed her abuser or something. That scene in the pantry sounded creepy not sexy.