The Marriage of True Minds

Save the Lobsters, Save the World

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review.)

In his debut novel, Stephen Evans has created a quirky – yet touching – story about love, loss and our moral responsibility to our fellow earthlings, human and non.

Lawyers Nick and Lena are the titular couple in THE MARRIAGE OF TRUE MINDS. On a whim, law school student Lena enrolled in Nick's environmental law course, and by term's end, the two had fallen head-over-heels in love. After they married, Lena joined Nick's law firm, and the two became crusaders for human and environmental rights. In time, Nick's seemingly tenuous grasp on reality unraveled, as did his marriage to Lena. When Nick's increasingly erratic behavior became too show more much for Lena to bear, the two divorced; she bought out his half of the house and firm, and set up a bank account for his living expenses…which he promptly squandered on a "guerilla activist" prank involving 144 lobsters, the mayor's swimming pool and the Minnesota Zoo.

In addition to costing him upwards of $250,000, Nick's latest eco-prank is also threatening his very freedom. Enter Lena, who agrees to defend him in court – against her new beau, one Preston Winter. (Awkward!) Without revealing too much of the plot, suffice to say that the brilliant Lena succeeds in saving Nick from both jail and psychiatric commitment – that is, if he can manage to complete his court-ordered community service and mandatory counseling without incident. Given that the volunteer work is to take place at the local animal shelter, Nick's chances don't look good.

Throughout it all, the long-suffering Lena is appointed Nick's supervisor/guardian by the court, further complicating their already complicated relationship. Since theirs is a marriage of true minds (and Preston is kind of a tool), you'll be rooting for Nick all the way.

Rounding out the cast of characters are Ralph and Alice, the grim-but-dedicated husband-and-wife team in charge of the animal shelter; Oscar, Nick's psychiatric attendant and sidekick; Sharon, Lena's personal assistant and sidekick; Wolfrum, a geriatric Irish Wolfhound slated for euthanasia at the shelter; and Sancho, Nick's sassy and anthropomorphized canine hand puppet.

In his press materials, Stephen Evans describes the inspiration behind THE MARRIAGE OF TRUE MINDS. When asked "How did this story start for you?", Evans replies:

When I learned about the issue of euthanasia in animal shelters. There are millions of dogs and cats every year who are perfectly healthy and don't have homes, and they are euthanized after just a few days of being there. I had no known about that problem, and I wanted to write something about it. I knew that if I wrote a non-fiction book about it, it would be a very difficult thing to read and wouldn't have the reach that it would have if I wrote it a different way, so that was the genesis of trying to imbed the issue within a different kind of story that would be a little more uplifting.

On the book's website, he offers this "Note to Readers":

I don’t think anyone knows exactly how many animals are euthanized in shelters each year. I have seen estimates of anywhere from four to twenty million annually, or almost one per second.

This horrific problem requires not one but many solutions, I’m sure. Those solutions start with awareness, will, creativity, and money.

As I hope you can tell from the book, I have deep admiration for anyone who chooses a life of helping animals, whether they work in shelters or otherwise. There are hundreds of animal welfare and rescue organizations across the country that deserve our support. You can find many of them through online sites like Just Give. A portion of the income from the sale of this book will be donated to The Best Friends Animal Society and other animal rescue and welfare organizations.

Until we find solutions, our animal friends will sometimes need a good lawyer. I feel sure that Nick would fit right in at the Defenders of Wildlife and EarthJustice.

For more information on the problem of animal euthanasia, I suggest contacting the American Humane Association or the National Council on Pet Population and Study.

Especially if you believe in reincarnation.

The soul you save may be your own.

Evans has succeeded in presenting the problem of companion animal overpopulation as part of a lighter, more uplifting story. THE MARRIAGE OF TRUE MINDS never comes across as heavy-handed. (Though one animal shelter scene did bring tears to my eyes; rather than continue reading, I retired to bed early so that I could cuddle with my own five rescued dogs.) Overall, it's a nice summer read – the kind of book you breeze through during a weekend on the beach. The "meaning of life" ponderings are an added bonus, as is the portion of sales that Evans has pledged to donate to Best Friends Animal Society.

While much of the book hinges on Nick's mental health – or lack thereof – this is the only point in which I felt Evans faltered. Nick receives a diagnosis of delusional disorder from his psychiatrist, yet we don't really get a glimpse of any actual delusions. Nick acts erratically at times, wasting his money and committing property crimes such as the theft of the lobsters, but aside from conversations with Sancho the hand puppet (which he may or may not actually believe are "real"), his beliefs aren't crazy, just unpopular. Then again, perhaps that's the point: a respect for the welfare of fellow sentient beings isn't crazy at all, but perfectly rational, moral and sane. Maybe I didn't see the supposed "disorder" in Nick's behavior because I'm crazy, too.

Finally, I just wanted to make a note. Nick isn't what I'd call an "animal rights activist". Rather, he starts out as an environmental advocate (of the legal subset), and later on he also shows a concern for animal welfare issues. He never explicitly advocates for animal rights, in fact, he only goes veg (vegetarian) near the end of the book. (During dinner at Ralph and Alice's place, he refuses a serving of meat. When asked how long he's been a vegetarian, Nick replies "Five hours.") The publisher, who found me through Library Thing, asked me to review the book, in part because I write about environmental and animal rights issues on my blog. While it is a very animal-friendly book - one I highly recommend, since animal-friendly fiction is hard to come by - it's not an animal rights book per se. Even so, I think it's a great pick for animal advocates. It's also a novel that meat-eaters can enjoy, since the "preaching" is both lighthearted and focused on the plight of homeless dogs and cats (and who doesn't like dogs and cats?).

http://www.easyvegan.info/2008/06/03/book-review-the-marriage-of-true-minds-step... show less

The Marriage of True Minds opens with Nick Ward dumping 140 live lobsters into the Mayor’s swimming pool (along with salt and ice cubes) to make a statement about the environment. After being transported to an inpatient facility for the mentally ill (along with his stuffed sheepdog puppet Sancho), Nick is visited by his ex-wife Lena (a lawyer) who arrives to represent him. Very quickly, the reader learns that Nick was Lena’s law professor, they married within a short period of time and became partners in a small, environmental law practice. Now, although divorced from Nick, Lena cannot seem to completely detach from him. Nick is a quirky, brilliant, and very funny man whose behavior borders on the bizarre. Not only does he treat his show more puppet like a person (he prefers to refer to Sancho as an “Imaginary American”), but his empathy for real animals (especially an Irish Wolfhound named Wolfram) makes it difficult for Nick to stay out of criminal court…as a defendant.

The Marriage of True Minds is a whimsical, endearing, laugh-out-loud funny, and ultimately touching novel about the connections we have to others and what defines sanity. Filled with eccentric characters, including a comic-book loving psychiatric attendant and a husband-wife team who run the local animal shelter, the novel moves forward at an unrelenting speed. Evans is skilled at rapid-fire dialogue which captures the wit and brilliance of the characters perfectly. Lena and Nick’s relationship slips back and forth from contrary to loving and provides the tension which drives the story.

Outrageous, but oddly poignant, this novel explores idealism and the fine line between mental illness and activism through the character of Nick – a sweet, gifted man whose love of animals and others drives him to the edge of sanity. The novel is also about what it means to love another despite their flaws.

This is Stephen Evan’s debut novel…and it is a gem. Entertaining and unforgettable, it is highly recommended for those who love literary fiction with memorable and irresistible characters. show less

Quirky and fun, The Marriage of True Minds follows Lena Grant and Nick Ward, two brilliant lawyers who were partners both in and out of court. Unfortunately, Nick may or may not be completely nuts and Lena’s divorced him. She’s trying to move on with her life, taking on new clients and dating Preston Winter, a state attorney, but she’s torn between her lingering affection for her ex and a desire for a “normal” life. Nick, as sharp and intelligent as ever, is constantly causing her grief with his wild stunts – like putting 100+ lobsters in the mayor’s swimming pool. Constantly, Lena wonders why Nick can’t just act normal.

The strength of the novel (perhaps novella? It’s quite short) comes from its quirky cast of show more characters. Nick is spontaneous and full of love – for the Earth, his e-wife, animals, his puppet Sancho, his fellow men – but he creates the world to suit his tastes and needs, whether by dressing Lena in couture that perfectly complements his own signature pinstripe suits (custom-fitted in Italy) or reshaping past events to make a better story. It’s difficult to be sure of his sanity but Nick’s choices are intended for the good of all (in his own mind). His doctor, Oscar, loves comic books (but only well-used, beat-up and severely deteriorated copies will do) and believes that all knowledge can be gleaned from the pages of DC and Marvel. With his own sense of playfulness running strong, Oscar makes the perfect watchdog-playmate for Nick. Toss in a judge straight off of daytime TV and Lena’s mouthy assistant Sharon and situations explode. The more ludicrous the scene, the funnier the book becomes.

While The Marriage of True Minds is certainly a love story, it is also a condemnation of humanity’s habit of getting rid of anything inconvenient. Whether it’s pets or animals – Nick briefly works at the city animal shelter and learns about the shelter’s “30-day-limit” – or half-mad people, author Stephen Evans seeks to remind us of the pain caused by giving up on the ones we love. show less

While the dialog and reparte are clever and amusing, this is basically a silly book. With due respect to PETA (i.e. none) and to animals everywhere (i.e. lots), this is nothing more than polemic about animal euthanasia, with a little romance thrown in.

The Marriage of True Minds begins a bit awkwardly, with a few clunky sentences and an overall feeling of disjointedness which persists throughout the few few chapters. At times the characters waver into cliche or confusion, and the book's message is obvious from the start: pro-animal rights and anti-euthanasia. However, the story does work, and the love story between two previously married lawyers is quite charming.
I received this slim first novel as part of the Early Reviewers program, hoping that my low expectations would be fulfilled. Thankfully, they were surpassed, though not exponentially. Stephen Evans evidently intended (per the book's website) this story particularly for its statements about animal rights, but he managed to show more avoid the preachiness often associated with similar projects.
As a side note, the male protagonist's mental health is a central element of the story, but while he does behave a bit irrationally, I found myself in some confusion as to the author's intention: is Nick supposed to be insane? Eccentric? "Differently motivated"? The book sends some mixed messages, but no narrative-shattering ones. Overall, The Marriage of True Minds is a pleasant and brief comedy with some serious undertones, suitable for an enjoyable summer afternoon. show less

I had some problems with this book. But first the good thing: the dialogue is great. Best part about the book.

First, it seems like it is going to be a relationship book, and I guess it is, in a way. But it turns into an animal rights treatise. Secondly, it seemed as if the author was glorifying the stalker-ish qualities of Nick post-divorce. The things he did were really creepy, NOT charming. Does he think women fall for that stuff? Lastly, are Lena and Nick supposed to be "true minds?" They were no where near it. Lena in a relationship with Nick is swallowed...she is at his whim. He may have loved Lena, but he didn't respect her and certainly used her to get his own way. A LOT. Very annoying. I wished Lena and Nick were more equals.

I show more am glad it was short. show less

This is the second book I've read in the last two weeks that takes place in Minneapolis, and specifically in the Uptown area. Like the neighborhood, this book is a bit quirky. Nick Ward is delusional - or is he just a man with a lot of imagination and a true dedication to animal rights? Probably all three, and this makes him a very hard man to live with - just ask his ex-wife and ex-law partner Lena Grant.

The slightly wacky animal-rights theme is Hiaasen-esque and downright implausible, which detracts from the wistful partly sad/partly giddy tone of the book. Nick and Lena's relationship is frustrating and absolutely on target - Nick's responses to Lena and to life are always skewed. When it comes to doing the impossible because it show more needs to be done, a person like Nick is either called crazy or a hero, but trying to love him is bound to make a person go insane herself.

The two moods - contemplative, sweet/sad whimsy and ballsy take-charge action - didn't mesh for me. However, a fairly great dog puppet named Sancho redeemed much of the book. Worth a try - it's a quick and breezy book, with a unique tone. show less