Marrying the Mistress

Joanna Trollope is a writer who engages the reader on every page. Her characters are human, believable, sometimes infuriating, often enchanting. A woman who understands a woman's view of the world

Heartbreakingly beautiful. The first time I read it, I didn't want to accept the ending. This time, I realized it really was inevitable. I'm still ticked, though. That's proof that a book is brilliant -- you want to get in an argument with the characters.

I am reading Trollope's books, one right after the other, as fast as I can find them---I am totally addicted to her writing style. I read a couple of her books a few years ago but was drawn back to them on a relatives's recommendation about the book she was reading and now, I am totally hooked (and ALSO, worried about finding another author like her.....when I have read all of her books!!!). You can "see" her characters as they talk and think and behave and feel, both alone and with each other. Her stories are, of course, about human relationships but there are always complications that she writes about....beautifully. I am amazed with how many characters she has developed over the years---so different!!!

Guy, a respectable judge in his early sixties, decides to leave his wife and marry his young mistress Merrion. The book charts the effects on his grown-up family and grandchildren. Fast-moving, for a character-based book, and well thought-out. It looks deep into the heart of modern life and assumptions.

I found it thought-provoking, and enjoyed it just as much re-reading for the third time. Recommended if you like women's fiction with a rather deeper theme than most novels in this genre.

It was an easy decision when 62-year old Guy Stockdale decided to marry his young mistress. He could see his future clearly. Unfortunately he could not imagine the reaction of family. This is a clever story describing intertwined relationships and just how the balance is upset when a change is made. The characters are complex, believable, and all deserving of the reader’s sympathy. The solution is tidy but unexpected.

Guy a 60 something judge decides to marry his mistress of seven years. She is over 30years his juniour and he is a grandfather three times over. A well written fast paced novel that is very good of its kind. It explores family relationships where someone rocks the boat in a big way. Everyone behaves fairly decently and characters in the end show much wisdom; too much perhaps. The book deals well with emotions,when dealing with unexpected events within the family, everyone has a view and people get involved to a greater or lesser extent. I found myself involved with the story and could relate easily to the difficult choices that some of the characters faced,.However no one is starving and, no one has a life changing experience. Just a show more story of middle class people facing issues that are probably all to common. Not ground breaking stuff then but enjoyable all the same. Comfort reading. show less

Read during Summer 2003

I enjoyed this a great deal until the last ten or so pages, which I began to realize reminded me of my reaction to A Village Affair. Guy and Merrion have been carrying on an affair for 7 years until Guy deceides to leave his wife to marry Merrion. The major obstacle is an almost 30 year difference in their ages. Guy is married to Laura, who manipulates her grown son Simon into taking sides. Simon's family becomes involved, as well as Merrion's mother. It seemed difficult but perhaps things would eventually work until Guy deciedes to end the relationship so Merrion can marry someone(unknown) her own age. That left me completely cold. I can only hope in some future world beyond the end of the book, they get back show more together. show less