Desperate Characters

I promised I would start reviewing books again...I didn't commit to a timetable! And no, the desperate characters are neither my children nor my friends. (Thanks Mom, for pointing out my grammar gaffe!)

My friend Amy suggested reading this book if only for the title. It looked intriguing enough, so I added it to my shelf. This book was first published in 1970 and the culture of that time is definitely reflected in the story, but not so much as to make it distract from its plots and themes.

Otto and Sophie are a childless upper-middle class couple living in New York. Their seemingly perfect life is initially perturbed by something as simple as Sophie getting bit by a stray cat she is feeding. As the story unfolds, you dig deeper and deeper into Sophie's life and see that underneath the seeming perfection are typical aspects of most marriages and friendships. Otto and Sophie seem to struggle, perhaps more than "normal" people, to accept imperfections and dissatisfactions. And all the while, the cat bit grows more swollen and potentially dangerous.

The cat bite becomes a metaphor woven into the story...but not in a way that makes you want to shake the author and say, "I get it already! Stop with the cat bite thing!"

What made this especially interesting for me was that over the weekend I watched Revolutionary Road. Although the movie takes place in 1955, the themes of upper-middle class angst and relationships are probed in ways that left me reeling with questions and thoughts and the strong desire to talk about the movie with lots of people.

While I would not give my coveted 10 stars to Desperate Characters, it weighed in at a solid 7, which makes it worth reading!

Comments

[barbara]

glad to see you back on your blog - I missed you and hearing about the goings on in the book world as well as the Neer world. Welcome back

[Kristie]

I'm from NC too and have recently discovered your blog. I've enjoyed seeing your recommendations and will continue to follow along to see what books make their way to your bookshelf.

[RWH]

As a mom I am sure you will understand it has been a crazy summer for me.
Between vacationing with my insane and declining in denial inlaws and getting my youngest ready to go off to college I have been quite "distracted".
So I did not think to go on your blog for a really long time but am glad you are back.
You have inspired me to watch Revolutionary Road.
I was reading That Old Cape magic as the outer Cape where the story takes place is where I was on vacation. Too much of a character study and bad marriages for an end of summer read. So I picked up The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner. A perfect in-between thriller type.
Speaking of old times like 50's and 60's I really like Mad Men. To me it is like reading a book. I know it is a bit slow for most people but to me it is a great social study look into the ways of the past. To me the sets and clothes are a feast for the eyes. I know I like a show when at the end of each episode it leaves me wanting more.....
I want to read The TEn year map. I read some of her other books and liked them.
R. Honey