Although this book will not be for everyone (language, sex) it is one I particularly enjoyed for its cleverness and honest examination of a 17-year marriage that has lost its spark. The main character is forty-three year old psychotherapist Chloe Zhivago who lives in Queen’s Park, London with her physician husband of seventeen years and their two teenage children. Despite a seemingly successful life, Chloe feels she’s in a rut, wondering if this is all there is? Enter Ivan, a sexy Russian, who offers her what could be the cure for her midlife crisis. Several quirky characters contribute to the poignant and comedic atmosphere. This tongue-in-cheek, wonderfully funny, sexy novel asks the vital question of “how do you keep love alive in a marriage”. This debut novel from BBC documentarian Olivia Lichtenstein has me looking forward to her next literary contribution. If you chose to listen to it on CD as I did, reader Rosalyn Landor, with her crisp British accent, just adds to the enjoyment. The recipes are a bonus.

This image of the book’s cover links you to the catalog record for the book. And here is the CD audiobook.

We encourage your comments, especially if you’ve read or listened to the book.

Posted by Marilyn