The Uncoupling
Meg Wolitzer
2011
271 pages
Published by Riverhead
Purchased by moi
********************
“Like any really good book, the play had held the people who ventured into it, and then, when it was over, it had released them.” -p. 246
Dory and Robby are beloved high school teachers in Stellar Plains, NJ, when their happy, secure lives get a bit shaken up. Dory suddenly has no desire to have sex with her husband. And unbeknownst to Dory, she’s not alone in town. All the other wives and girlfriends go on a sex strike, too. Only it’s not really a strike…it’s more like “Sex? Meh.”
Although the story starts with Dory and Robby, and returns to them, it’s about other people, too. The chapters alternate between women, most of whom work at or attend the high school. Although all of the afflicted women know each other, no one is really talking about their individual problems.
This book has been all over the blogosphere this year. It’s an entertaining read, although the end was, in turn, first ridiculous and then a bit obvious. Still, I think this would be a fun book to sit around and discuss with a book group…both for the characters and their actions/reactions, as well as the whole play affecting life issue.
Has anyone out there read Lysistrata (this is the play that is so key to the book…I’m not normally a play person, but the book piqued my interest)? Anyone interested in a quick readalong later this month? If you have a nook/nook app, there are free versions available!
I have been watching this book from afar….
Still not sure if it is for me but I like reading about it…
I have also read a lot about this book, and have to admit that it sounds interesting for a lot of reasons. I haven’t read Lysistrata, but I could be persuaded to read along with you sometime! Let me know when!
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I downloaded a sample of this one to my kindle a few weeks ago but haven’t had a chance to get to it yet. I really want to read it!
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I like this book but didn’t love it. It was a very different read for me. I might be persuaded to read a long on the play though.
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I’m like Sheila – I’ve enjoyed reading about this book but I’m not too sure it’s my kind of read. The play, on the other hand … I just might take a look at that!
This one should be on the way to me via the publisher. I’d be up for reading Lysistrata in the meantime. My roomate freshman year of college read it for her Western Civ class and told us ALLLLL about it. My interest has been piqued ever since.
Andi´s last [type] ..Book-in-ProgressC!
I think I am afflicted with this.
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Oh, I didn’t tell you that I downloaded a free nook version and read it on the train to NY last week. At least I think I read it … the edition I selected had several scanning/character recognition errors; it was entertaining but distracting.
I may be convinced to join a readalong (or I may go on strike!)
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..HarperPerennial’s How a Book Is Made
Sounds passionately gripping. Feel free to read that sarcastically.
I haven’t read this one but I read Lysistrata lo those many years ago. Not committing to any kind of readalong but I’ll watch from the sidelines.
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That is it. I have to get my hands on a copy. I’ve loved Meg’s writing since The Position, so I knew I would eventually. I haven’t read Lysistrata, at least I don’t *think* I have. It’s entirely possible I read it in college and blocked it out. I’m not sure I want to…but I’ll definitely be paying attention.
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The Uncoupling? Meh.
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You got it right that this was very entertaining to read, although the ending was a bit cheesy and a bit silly. I loved Meg’s writing!
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I’ve been really curious about this book. I’m a little bummed to hear it’s more of a “Sex? Meh.” rather than sex strike book, since a strike sounds way more interesting.
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Yours is the first lukewarm review I’ve seen! I’ve been very curious about this one but would love for it to be more than just about sex. Bleh.
My ears temporarily perked up at the mention of “readalong” but alas…
This has been all over the blog world, but all the reviews have made me curious about the book. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I am not sure that this book sounds as fascinating to me as it does in general to people. I don’t know why.. though I remember reading Lysistrata in high school
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