Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review & Giveaway: The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer

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The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer is definitely a novel that has one of the most intriguing story lines I’ve encountered in a long time. This novel takes a look at the women of Stellar Plains and their loss of interest in sex which seems to happen quite suddenly. However it really isn’t so sudden – it also seems to coincide with the arrival of the new drama teacher Fran and her choice of Lysistrata for that years high school production. The Lysistrata is a famous Greek comedy in which women withdrew sex from their husbands or significant others in order to stop the war. The women of Stellar Plains though have no idea that the two are in any way related.

My favorite characters were Robby and Dory and their daughter Willa, who much of the story is centered around. Robby and Dory have been married for over twenty years and are still totally in love with each other. They have never had any problems in the bedroom and find sex brings them both comfort and a closeness to each other. They are both English teachers at the local high school and are also very well liked by the students. Their daughter Willa attends the high school as well and her parents main complaint about her is that she doesn’t read as much as they’d like her to. Really though as the novel moves forward Dory learns that she really didn’t know much about her daughter when her focus is more removed from her husband.

As Fran gets the rehearsals going for the play, thus begins the subtle shift in how the women of Stellar Plains are feeling towards their relationships. It takes over the women in a sweeping spell that falls over the town. It doesn’t take everyone all at once; more it seems to go in waves enveloping women as it sees fit. The spell comes over the women as a coldness that makes you want to wrap yourself in a warm blanket. It leaves the women not wanting to be touched at all and thought of sex of any kind was horrifying. When the spell hits Dory she is left freezing and knowing without a doubt that the sexual side of her relationship with Robby is over!

What I found the most intriguing aspect of the novel is the reactions and fallout coming from the men when their women withdraw the sex. In Robby’s case when he realized things weren’t going to go back to normal he withdrew more into himself, started gaining a bit of weight from eating too much, and began to stop doing things around the house that he’d always done previously. Dory explained it perfectly…

‘Sexlessness had awakened some churlishness in him. Was this all it took in order to find a bad side of a man? Was it like depriving him of an essential nutrient?’ (page 115, uncorrected advance copy, final copy may be different)

I’ve always felt that men place a much higher value on sex than women do. As women we place a high value on feeling loved and cherished. Now that’s not to say that sex isn’t as important to a woman; I just don’t think we would get quite as ornery as a man if it were taken away. What is interesting to note is the breakdown of the marriage when an essential element is missing. I’m sure most women at one time or another have thought to themselves that they’d rather not that night but at the same time that intimacy is quite important to the overall workings of a successful marriage.

The beginning of this novel was slow to start for me and I wasn’t even sure I was going to like it. Don’t get me wrong here – the writing is absolutely fantastic! The author has a wonderful way with words and she injects a lot of humor into this story that I liked. Then about halfway through I found myself unable to put the book down and was anxious to get to the end of the story to see what would be the final outcome for this town. Another thing I really liked was that little element of magic that the novel holds. The end was also great – I loved how the author wrapped up all that had happened in Stellar Plains and why. The one complaint I would have is that the book had too many characters for my liking. I would have preferred it focused more on Dory and Robby while still bringing the results on the town into the story but that’s a really minor complaint and I’m sure for other people the amount of characters wouldn’t be an issue. I also have to mention that for a novel about sex that there is actually no sex going on in the graphic sense. There is absolutely nothing offensive in this book that I could find. What this novel really does though is make you sit back and really think about the ‘what if’. What if this happened – how would your spouse or boyfriend react and how would you handle all of a sudden having no desire for your mate. Like I said it’s a really interesting concept to think about and it would be a great book to discuss with book club members.

I read The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Make sure to stop by some the other blogs on the tour to see what they thought of the novel. You can also read an excerpt of The Uncoupling here. Meg can be found on her website and Facebook as well. You can buy your own copy of The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer here in the US and here in Canada.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 14/11. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I find the premise of the book interesting. Withholding sex definitely would get a man's attention! No need to enter me…I have a book problem going on in my house.

  3. I've read mixed reviews, but the plot is very intriguing and I will give it a try.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

    I am a follower.

  4. I find the plot of this book to be fascinating, and you ask some wonderful and perceptive questions in your review about what the real world consequences would be if this happened today. I am glad that Wolitzer was able to pull this story off and that you enjoyed it so much. You wrote a fantastic review of it!

  9. Thanks for the chance, and for your review! Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  18. It does sound interesting how the whole town gets caught up in it. It makes me want to read The Lysistrata, too.

  23. The book sounds really good even with all those characters. I'd love to be entered. kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

  26. Lysistrata was one of my favorite Greek comedies so I would love to read this book.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  30. I've heard lots of good things about this book.

    I'm a GFC follower.

    darrowenator (at) gmail (dot) com

  31. Dar, this sounds so interesting. I have it in my TBR also. I do like this author.
    Great review. The quote about 'depriving him of an essential nutrient' when withholding sex makes sense actually! lol

  36. Uncoupling sounds like a refreshingly different book I am looking forward to reading!

    I read your blog daily!!!

    ladybook21at yahoo dot com

  39. This book intrigues me although the reviews are mixed. I loved your review which makes some fascinating points and questions the impact of something like this happeneing today. Love that!

    Thank you for hosting a giveaway, too. Please include me in it.

    I'm a follower of your blog!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  42. Sounds like an interesting storyline. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  44. Dear Darlene,

    Thanks for writing about the book. I'm the writer, and it's most appreciated. All best,

    Meg

  45. Sounds awesome to me! I'd love to read it.

    I'm a follower.

    jennapomme[at]yahoo[dot]com

  47. I'd love a chance into this giveaway thanks.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

  49. LOL–probably TMI but we always joke in our house that Scott could go longer without than I can. 😉 What can I say.

    I've heard such interesting things about this book this past week and I have to admit I'm more intrigued by this book than I have been about any others in a long time! I'd love to be entered.

    Hope you have a lovely Easter weekend Darlene!

  53. I was worried there will be a lot of sex in here, but there was nothing that got me uncomfortable. I totally love Meg's writing and the story was intriguing enough. I didn't love the ending that well, but I would still recommend this title!

  54. What an intriguing premise…It sounds like a good one. I follow on Google reader/FC, and I've posted your giveaways in the sidebar on Tutu's Two Cents

    tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

  55. I would love to win this book! It looks like a great book! Thanks for the oppurtunity!
    Heather

  61. I would love the opportunity to read this one for myself. I'm also a GFC follower.

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com