The Interruption of Everything

i've only read a few terry mcmillan books but they all seem to be about (more or less) the same thing. it's not something i'm uninterested in reading about (women growing older and finding their lives and relationships stale) but i'm not sure i need to read about it again and again. still, this was an alright read and it had a number of funny parts. and what a relief to read about black people for a change, where the default race wasn't white. i very much appreciated that.

I said I wasn't going to do it this year, but I did it anyway: I read, cover to cover, a seriously flawed book. Every plot point, every character, every setting, screamed cliche, cliche, cliche. Yet I kept reading. Why? I never do this. All I can figure is it was the main character's midlife struggles and the family's African American-ness that kept me tuned in to the last page. The truth is that the whole book was really a bad fictionalized version of Dr. Phil-like advice about menopause and male midlife crisis.

An enjoyable read. The novel is funny, laced with witty dialogue, great subplots, a few surprises, and unforgettable characters, especially her niece and her mother-in-law, Athurine. Her relationship with Authurine (mother-in-law) and eventually Prezelle, was endearing. She went to church with her and they held hands, she bought new modern jogging suits for her to walk the malls and look good for her boyfriend. I loved it! But, I wanted to know more about the relationship between Marilyn and Gordon (husband #1). "The Interruption of Everything" has a lot of strong women characters, as most of McMillan's books do, and this book is no exception. Her website says all of her books are about empowerment. I feel that a lot of women do forget show more themselves and focus on everything and everyone else around them. The story line was age appropriate for me. I can relate to Marilyn because I'm 43 and near pre-menapausal with one child in college and another 18 - getting ready to leave home (I hope). However, I didn't put my dream on hold to get a college degree. It was slow going but I took one class per semester, sometimes 2 so as not to compromise my children and husband. My family fully supported me. I love doing crafts as Marilyn does and my husband sounds like Leon (without the infidelity...I pray). The story of the hair braiders-not sure why that was even in the book. The ending fell a little short for me. It doesn't seem realistic too abrupt, you are kind of left hanging. Marilyn still had hope to have a good happy life that may or may not include her husband. show less

mcmillan is an engaging and entertaining writer, and it feels like there's a lot of heart in her stories - which will be relatable for many readers. life is bonkers, and people lose themselves along the way! my hesitation in rating the novel any higher comes from feeling like her books are so similar. i have only read a few of them, but the characters and situations definitely overlap. as well, the ending to this one was a bit hard to take.

I loved this book. It was fun! I could so relate to the characters. It is a book about what happens when a woman devotes all her time in the kitchen and to the family. And needs a little somethin somethin for her self!!

I read this book when it was first published but my memory is sketchy.

I enjoyed this book because of the different issues addressed including: menopause, mother-in-law relationships, the effect of mid-life crises on marriages, and trifling relatives.

Not many people I know liked this novel. I guess some people expected to be like her previous novels. I still believe this could be a book that's worth discussing with other readers.

Very good story about a couple going through their respective mid-life crises. Interesting characters in the mothers and the foster-sister and her children.