The Post-Birthday World: A Novel (P.S.)
by Lionel Shriver
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lionel ShriverEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-26
ISBN: 0061187895
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Book Reviews of The Post-Birthday World: A Novel (P.S.)
Book Review: What If She Made a Different Choice?
Summary: 5 Stars
I had high hopes for this novel, since I think that "We Need to Talk about Kevin" is one of the greatest books ever written. What I've always loved about Lionel Shriver is her unflinching honesty in her writing -- In "Kevin," she put forth a lot of assertions about the ambivalence, shame and embarassment that parents sometimes feel towards their children, sentiments that aren't always easy to voice or even to read about. In my opinion, Shriver does something similar in this book in the way in which she reflects upon the institution of marriage.
I won't summarize the plot except to say that the story centers around Irina, an American illustrator living in London with her reliable, sturdy but not terribly interesting husband Lawrence. She finds herself in a situation one boozy night with an old friend while her husband is traveling for business. In story A, she grabs hold of the moment, and seizes life with Ramsey, a professional snooker player, who appears to offer a more exciting alternative than growing old gracefully with Lawrence. In story B, she stays with Lawrence -- and then goes on to experience many of the same events that she experiences in story A.
The events experienced in both stories include: Ramsey winning the world snooker championship, Irinia's book being nominated for a prize, the death of Princess Diana, 9/11 for which they are in New York and a visit to Irina's parents house in Brighton Beach, NY. As a woman, I found it interesting how different Irina HERSELF was, depending on who she was with. (The author even refers to the 'new Irina' who was constructed after she ran off with Ramsey, comparing her with the 'old Irina'.)
For me, I think one of the most salient themes was that Irina was never completely fulfilled in either life that she chose. Lawrence did things that irked her, and Ramsey did things that irked her. At times, she felt like Lawrence never understood her and that he was boring, while other times she felt the same about Ramsey. I think there's perhaps a message here about marriage in general and the unrealistic expectations Irina at least brings to it.
On another note, my favorite scene in the whole book is when Irina takes Ramsey to visit her anal retentive mother in law and Ramsey simply turns the household upside down, refusing to engage with the mother in law or follow her bizarre household rituals. It's a great scene and well worth the price of the book for that alone.
Summary of The Post-Birthday World: A Novel (P.S.)
American children's book illustrator Irina McGovern enjoys a secure, settled life in London with her smart, loyal, disciplined partner, Lawrence?until the night she finds herself inexplicably drawn to kissing another man, a passionate, extravagant, top-ranked snooker player. Two competing alternate futures hinge on this single kiss, as Irina's decision?to surrender to temptation or to preserve her seemingly safe partnership with Lawrence?will have momentous consequences for her career, her friendships and familial relationships, and the texture of her daily life.
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