THE DIVORCE PARTY: REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED
THE DIVORCE PARTY
BY LAURA DAVE

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The movie rights to THE DIVORCE PARTY have already been scooped up by Universal Studios for Jennifer Aniston and her production partner, and is set for release in 2010.

On their 35th anniversary, Gwyn Huntington and her husband Thomas have invited friends and family to their Montauk home. Instead of celebrating their decades-long love, they are toasting their divorce. This also marks the weekend that their son brings home his fiancée, Maggie Mackenzie, for the first time. Maggie thought she was joining a perfect family, but she is about to reckon with some uncomfortable truths about the man she wants to marry.

A multi-generational story about what it means to share a life with someone, The Divorce Party brings us two immensely appealing women: Gwyn who is stumbling upon the end of her marriage, and Maggie, her future-daughter-in-law, who is trying to navigate the beginning of hers. With emotional candor and surprising humor, these two women find themselves trying to answer the same questions: Can you ever really know someone? When should you fight for the person you love most, and when should you begin to let him go?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Dave was born in New York City in 1977 and grew up in Westchester County. She attended The University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a BA in English, and The University of Virginia, where she earned her MFA. While in school, Laura received several awards for her writing including The AWP Intro Award in Short Fiction.

Laura is the author of the acclaimed novels "The Divorce Party" and "London is the Best City in America." In addition to writing books, Laura has also worked steadily as a journalist. Her writing has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Glamour, Self, Modern Bride, Redbook, ESPN the Magazine, and The New York Observer.

In 2008, Cosmopolitan Magazine named Laura a "Fun and Fearless Phenom of the Year", calling her "an inspiration" to young women.

Laura lives in southern California, where she is at work on a new book.

MY REVIEW:

THE DIVORCE PARTY

THE DIVORCE PART is a story about two women, Gwyn Huntington and Maggie Mackenzie, who are both at a very special, important time in their lives---but as much as they are different, they also are somewhat the same.

Maggie lives in Brooklyn, in a small apartment and on this day, is trying to make some sense of her life and trying to organize what will be her NEW life. Maggie is about to meet the parents of the man she has fallen in love with and become engaged. Working as a former travel writer, Maggie fell head over heels for this wonderful man and they are planning a marriage as well as starting a business together. And so, Maggie prepares to go out to Montauk Point on Long Island to meet her Nate's whole family. She is naturally expected to be a bit apprehensive but Maggie finds herself feeling very uneasy about the whole thing.

Meanwhile, out on Montauk about 100 miles from Maggie, is Gwyn Huntington. She is planning a party on the morning of her thirty-fifth wedding anniversary and in her spacious Victorian home has done this many times. However, today will be different as she watches the hired bartenders, waiters, and caterers scurrying around, she faces the last time she will be in Hunt Hall preparing for any kind of party. The party that Gwyn is preparing for is a Divorce Party which has become rather normal and in fact in vogue out here in prestigious Montauk. Gwyn, however, wants HER Divorce Party to be unique! She wants to go out in a grand way as the wife of Thomas Huntington!

This story is a contrast and yet very much the same in some ways as two women find themselves at an important place in their life--where their lives will now change drastically. Although Maggie and Gwyn come from different backgrounds, are different ages, and at opposite ends of the marriage trail, they share much in common. Gwyn has tried to prepare herself for this time as has Maggie but what will it mean? How will their lives change? Is this the right decision and will they be the same people after it? What can be done to keep a couple together, or what could HAVE been done? The story is a great character study and shows how each woman must deal with her changes and answer all the questions she has.

I found myself very wrapped up in these characters. At first I thought I liked one character better than the other. However, as I read on, I found many similarities in their lives and was rooting for each of them. I enjoyed this light but also interesting story.

THE GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Anna at FSB ASSOCIATES
I have two copies of THE DIVORCE PARTY
to give away to two lucky winners!

THE RULES:

U. S. RESIDENTS ONLY
NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
EMAIL ADDRESSES MUST BE INCLUDED

HOW TO ENTER:

EASY ENTRY--JUST COMMENT WITH YOUR
EMAIL ADDRESS ON WHAT OTHER EVENT
IN YOUR LIFE WOULD BE FUNNY TO WRITE
A BOOK ABOUT AND "THROW A PARTY"!

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 4!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!