Originally posted on my blog: [...]
"G: Never fear. 10 yrs from now, when you're looking at this picture,
I'm going to be looking at it with you.
I love you,
G."
The premise of this novel is truly unique: Gordon Meyers is a fifty-something man who lost the love of his life about thirty years go. He has never truly been able to let her go so he goes in search of his lost love for a mystery reason. When he visits her office in Manhattan, they are overwhelmed and decide to go for a drink to catch up. With this opening, Mr. Golden unfolds a deep, tender tale about two people who share a soul-crushing love - one that spans decades. Since the book revolves around the two reminiscing about their past, the author did well to alternate between the past and present through the story. After every few chapters about the past, he brings us back with a conversation about the part of the past that was just explained and more prodding oh Glenda's part to find out why Gordon has returned after so many years.
I guess the main reason this book really pops in comparison to some of the YA romances I've endured is that it has very convincing characters. Both Gordon and Glenda are deep, beautiful, virtuous characters, yet not perfect. They are not made out to be some sort of angels or flawless human beings, and it is their faults that makes them both so infuriating and lovable. Gordon is funny and caring, yet he is a man; he gets easily jealous and he is visibly attracted to other women. Glenda is beautiful, intelligent and a to-be-doctor, but she is always late and she is often insensitive. Together, they make the perfect couple whom I was rooting for the entire novel (well, except a certain part where I was furious with Gordon and another certain part where I was furious with Glenda). Their ups and downs are meaningful and heartbreaking, not thrown in without thought. Their names I thought were quite unfortunate, although I suspect that was intentional. Gordon? Glenda? Tell me those names were awful on purpose, Peter!
Without a great narrator, even a superb plot can fall flat and Peter does not hesitate to exhibit his genius storytelling skills. The suspense of the reason for the separation and the reason for Gordon's return is quietly emphasized throughout the novel, building suspense without going overboard. The narration made me want to characterize it as a classic - the book handles love, loss and women's issues all with a lyrical prose and 'stark reality' description. The attention to detail was very engaging. Whether talking about the setting or the multi-faceted personalities, you were shows every single fascinating moment. Beware though: this is no typical rainbows-and-unicorns love story. It handles complex issues about the relationship between men and women, sex and abortion, and even war.
Cover/Title: I adore the simple but meaningful picture of the man and the woman walking in snow on the cover. It simply creates the mood for the love story but demonstrates that there is so much more to it through their appearing tiny in comparison to the tall buildings around them and the cold inhospitable air.
Spark Ideas: During the time abortion was made illegal, Glenda and a few others performed abortions believing that women who could not provide for their children should not give birth. But the practice expanded and became available for all women for $400 each. One of the doctors was convicted for performing these operations. This was a hot topic in the 1960s and it still is. What is your stand on the abortion issue?
I received a complimentary ebook from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
