This book was a fast read. But was it a "good" read?
Well, I alternated between feeling empathy & contempt for Ellen Flanagan.
Ellen Flanagan is 44 years old & she has had enough. Her husband, Sam, has lived their entire marriage going from one dream to another. None of his inventions bringing in the money, or security that Sam has promised. Ellen did get him to settle down & they have lived these last twelve years in Portland raising their children.
But when the money runs out & they are forced to sell the house, Ellen demands a divorce. How can she stay married to a man who has forced her to sell her home? Her beloved home with the growth marks in the door jams?
On the one hand, I can empathize with Ellen, having gone through my own "home" issues in the last year. But on the other hand I have nothing but contempt for a woman who is willing to throw away her marriage because her husband was not as successful as she had hoped. The only redeeming quality is that I think Ellen feels a little contempt for herself.
House & Home is a well written story. It is not a horrible book, there is a plot & it is well developed. I want to say it is a good book, but my dislike for Ellen just makes me want to reach through the pages & slap her silly. Maybe I have read too many "girl" books this week. Too many books where the women want it all & can't understand why they can't have it all.
Blah.
Post a Comment