The Divorce Party

When I first read the marketing information about this book, I was intrigued. Divorce parties? Really? Isn't that all a bit...odd?

It turns out that there are perfectly acceptable reasons for throwing a divorce party. While I may still be uncomfortable with the idea, I do see their merit, especially when the parting is amicable. However, in spite of its title, this book is not about divorce parties but about marriage and love and, just like the synopsis reads, what it takes to make it all work.

After thirty-five years, you would think that Gwyn and Thomas know what it takes, but does anyone? And Maggie and Nate just starting out? How do you know when you are at the cusp of your life together? As Maggie and Gwyn's stories unfold, the show more reader becomes aware that no matter where you are in life, marriage takes work. Some people are willing to put forth the effort, and some just aren't. Some even get tired after several decades and no longer want to work at their marriage. To think that you get your happily-ever-after just by saying "I do" is naive and illogical.

Rather than being uncomfortable with the book, as I was feeling based solely on its title, I enjoyed my time with Maggie and Gwyn. I felt their pain, wanted to comfort them as they each struggled to figure out just what amount of effort they were willing to put forth. It also got me thinking about my own marriage and my willingness to stick with it when the going gets tough (it confirmed my belief that my marriage is worth all the blood, sweat and tears). Rather than depressed, I felt renewed and regenerated. Not bad for a book with an ominous title like The Divorce Party.

One of the things I enjoyed the most was the writing itself. Ms. Dave made me not only picture Montauk but made me want to pack up my house and move there. Her descriptions are delicious, and the reader truly gets the impression of what life is like there. Her ability to discuss philosophical relationship issues while getting you to sympathize the characters must be commended. It would be all too easy to forgo one or the other, but she does both with ease.

The Divorce Party has been optioned by a production company in Hollywood. One can easily see why, as it has lush surroundings, pertinent questions regarding marriage and love, humor and pathos all rolled into one package. However, there is something to be said about taking your own journey through the questions asked by each character while they are asking the questions, to be able to answer them as they pertain to your own life. Any movie will not give you this ability to do so. It is the one thing that will stick with me for a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, more so than I ever imagined. While it could be considered "chick lit", some of the topics and questions faced by the characters make it more introspective fare than your traditional "chick lit". I would recommend this for anyone facing their own relationship crossroads or anyone looking for an intriguing read.

Thanks to Anna Suknov at FSB Associates for the opportunity to review this book! show less

'The Divorce Party' is the story of beginnings and endings and how we as human beings choose to navigate our lives. Gwyn Huntington is ending her marriage of thirty five years to her husband Thomas and is throwing a large party as a symbol of their compatible separation. They have grown apart over the years and have come to this decision. Their son Nate, a chef is engaged to a young food writer Maggie who they will be meeting for the first time at this party. As Maggie and Nate travel to the parents house Nate drops a bombshell surprise on Maggie that throws her very much off balance and raises doubts for her about their relationship. There is love between each couple but with so many secrets between them all it takes much introspection show more for them to move forward with love and life. The writing is lovely and clean. The characters are interesting and well drawn. I very much enjoyed their respective life journeys. Highly recommended. show less

East Coast WASPs are jockeying for invitations to the hottest social event of the season, and it’s not the Black and White Ball. These days, in seaside enclaves from Bar Harbor to Hilton Head, the datebooks of the well-heeled are filled with a new type of (dis)engagement—the divorce party. In her aptly titled new novel, Laura Dave invites her readers to a separation celebration.

The Divorce Party follows the romantic misadventures of the über-rich Huntington family. Except for owning the swankiest house in Montauk, the Huntingtons prefer to hide their wealth by driving ancient Volvo station wagons and wearing hand-me-downs. The millions of dollars come in handy, though, when Mr. and Mrs. Huntington decide to divorce and host the show more biggest anti-commitment ceremony of all time.

Food writer Maggie Mackenzie, fiancée of Huntington scion Nate, meets the family for the first time during this oddly feel-good event. Unaware that her betrothed is sitting on stacks of cash and is really named Champ, Maggie is broadsided with this information by her soon-to-be in-laws. Maggie prepares to walk home to New York City, understandably upset by Nate’s lies and incredibly confident in the strength of her legs.

Meanwhile, the Huntington’s other child, Gwyn, is unmarried and pregnant by a French rocker named Denis (that’s pronounced “Den-ee,” you philistine) who may or may not be coming to the party. In short, everybody’s relationship is on the brink of ending by the time a nicely symbolic mini-hurricane arrives to make the party more interesting. If this plot sounds like standard fare for a chick flick, it might be helpful to note that this is the first novel to be adopted by Jennifer Aniston’s new production company.

Dave works with good material and ideas but falls back on standard chick lit plotting in the end. Tellingly, the divorce turns out not to be due to Mr. Huntington’s conversion to Buddhism but something far more pedestrian. The most disappointing thing, however, is Dave’s treatment of her female characters. Supposedly strong and independent, the Huntington women turn out to be willing to sacrifice themselves for their men’s happiness.

The strength of the novel clearly lies in the details. The pot-smoking, red velvet cake–baking Mrs. Huntington is a memorable character not for her stoicism, but for her eccentricities. One of Nate’s old flames is described as looking better from below, an acutely sharp insult. Naming the ex-girlfriend “Murph,” however, simply pushes the characterization from biting to ridiculous.

For all her good intentions, Dave fails to create characters that are worth caring about. Everyone comes off as a bit too self-involved, looking out solely for themselves. There has rarely been a “happy” family as detached from one another as the Huntingtons. In the end, it’s hard to sympathize with characters that constantly go into hysterics over each other’s actions, only to return to the status quo. If you’re looking for a fun, light read for the beach, this is one Party you can skip. show less

This book chronicles two woman, one at the beginning of marriage and one at the end. During a divorce party on Long Island, both women uncover secrets about the men they love and must decide whether it is better to leave the relationship or stay and fight. Laura Dave has written an engrossing novel that I could not put down. She creates characters you can truly empathize with as they struggle to find the truth in their relationships. The characters are so wonderful, flawed and real. The pace of the novel is pitch perfect and the prose has an elegant flow to it. The Divorce Party is just a tremendous novel about forgiveness and acceptance that I highly recommend.

Summer's not done yet - here's another hot read for you!

Nate and Maggie are newly engaged. Nate's parents Gwyn and Thomas have been married for thirty five years. But their marriage has come to an end. Gwyn is throwing a divorce party with Thomas "to celebrate a peaceful end to a valued union." And this is the day when Maggie will meet her future in-laws for the first time....

This novel is told in alternating chapters from Maggie and Gwyn's viewpoint, all happening in one day. Both women have discovered things they didn't know about their significant other - albeit at a different stages of their relationships - the beginning and the end.

Dave has created charming, warm, wonderful characters that are believable. The female roles are the show more strongest. Gwyn is a self assured woman who is coming to grips with finding her own path after so many years as a couple. Maggie is an engaging young woman who is finding her footing as well. Supporting characters, notably Nate's sister Georgia, are also searching.

I had a hard time with Thomas. Although he is being true to what he believes to be the best path for himself, I disliked his dishonesty - I found it weak. Nate too has his secrets, but his reasons to be had less to do with selfishness, than his love for Maggie. I was more sympathetic to his cause, but still not thrilled with his duplicity.

When I picked up Laura Dave's second novel, I thought it would be a chick lit read based on the cover. I hesitate to label it as there was so much more to it. it was by turns funny, sad, poignant and hopeful. A fairy tale - no, but a definite page turner. You'll find yourself re reading some of the passages on relationships and thinking about your own.

Fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin would enjoy this book. (They both did as they've provided cover blurbs!)

As as a neat aside, Jennifer Aniston's film company has bought the rights to The Divorce Party.

This would be a good choice for a book club as well. There is an excellent reading group guide included in the book. show less

This book gives “Meet the Parents” a new twist.

Gwyn Huntington has been married 35 years to the day and she’s having a divorce party… for herself. Her husband Thomas has claimed he is found religion and wants to move on, but she knows the real truth. What will Thomas do when she reveals her surprise?

Maggie MacKenzie is engaged to Nate Huntington and they are planning to scrape enough money together to open a restaurant. As if that isn’t enough she is meeting her future in-laws at their divorce party. She isn’t thrilled. Even more surprising is that Nate has just told her that he is wealthy. Unfortunately, Nate has another surprise in store. Can she forgive and forget? Can she trust him again?

Georgia is Nate’s very show more pregnant unwed sister and her wayward boyfriend, Denis, is a no-show at the party. Will he be there to support Georgia, or will he continue to be the ne’er do well in Georgia’s parents’ eyes?

It is written in Gwyn and Maggie's words which are full of anger, humor, regret and hope. It is a good read for everyone and I read that Universal Studios has bought the movie rights.

Thanks to Laura Dave and FSB Associates for sharing her book with me to review. show less

I enjoyed this book. It was about two different women, each at different ends of their marriage. Gwyn and her husband of 30 some years are getting divorced and throwing a divorce party. And Maggie is with Nate, Gwyn's son. So Maggie and Gwyn know each other because of Gwyn's son. It was sad at some points in the book. Like when Gwyn is having doubts on if she is still in love with her husband, then she finds out what he is really doing, when he said that he was at Buddhism classes. And Nate is hiding an even bigger secret from Maggie, when she finds out she is upset and hurt that he could keep that big of a secret from her.
I really liked this book, I think I connected more with Maggie. Probably because she is more of my age so I can show more kind of see where she is coming from. But both women struggle through the book, you can't help but feel sorry for them and want them to both be happy. I was hoping for a better ending for Gwyn. But the way the book ended made it seem like she is happy in her own way. show less