Marian Keyes takes a wry look at midlife crises in The Break.
The Break by Marian Keyes is the story of how a husband’s midlife crises sparks personal growth in his wife.
Following the death of his father, Hugh decides he wants to find himself. He plans a 6 month break away from home and packs a backpack destined for South East Asia.
News of the proposed ‘break’ comes as shock to his wife, Amy. A PR executive, she has the skills to ‘manage’ perceptions of the break so she steals a march and announces it on social media. But it undermines her confidence even though she decides not stand in Hugh’s way.
Hugh says he’ll come home once the six months are up but Amy fears that he might not. And, even if he does return, who’s to say that things won’t change in the meantime, So, Amy’s anxious. And having to put on a brave face isn’t as easy as she makes it look.
Marian Keyes meanders a bit too much for my liking and it takes many pages before Hugh, the husband eventually leaves. Once he’s gone, the pace picks up as Amy learns to cope with her new situation.
This is a chatty novel with lots of online shopping and gossip — not unlike a night out with the girls!
Disclosure: I read an advance review copy via Netgalley.