5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Things fall apart., October 3, 2004
Avery Corman, the author of "Kramer vs. Kramer," has done it again. In "A Perfect Divorce," he has created a recognizable modern family, Karen and Rob Burrows and their son Tommy. Karen and Rob, who are based in New York City, both have fulfilling and satisfying careers, but their jobs leave them little time for one another. When their marriage finally breaks down completely, Karen and Rob have a civilized and amicable divorce, and they pray that their son will not suffer because of their failure to stay together.
What makes "A Perfect Divorce" stand out is Corman's determination not to resort to theatrics and melodrama. Rob is a respected and stable businessman who owns a company called MayPole that manufactures and sells playground equipment. Rob's only vice is that he travels a great deal and spends too much time making contact with clients all over the country. He is community-minded and even donates playground equipment to underprivileged kids. Karen cultivates American craftspeople and she sells their unique wares in her beautiful store. Tommy is a good and reliable kid, who is talented artistically but only average academically. These are all fine and decent people who, mostly for logistical reasons, no longer function together as a unit.
Corman encapsulates the dilemma of the modern, well-to-do family--too much time spent on careers, too little time devoted to family. In flashback, Corman shows how Rob and Karen got together and how much they loved one another, and this makes their divorce all the more distressing.
Much of the book focuses on Tommy, who does suffer greatly when his mother and father split up. He is shuttled from one parent to the other until he can't take it anymore. Karen and Rob pressure him to raise his SAT scores so that he will get into a good school. Finally, much to his parents' horror, he decides to go his own way, ignoring Karen's and Rob's plans for his future. While Tommy struggles to find himself, Karen and Rob seek new relationships, hoping that they can do better the second time around.
The writing in "A Perfect Divorce" is wonderful. All the characters are beautifully developed, the dialogue is funny, touching, and natural, and the plot is lively and nicely paced. Corman shows how well-meaning people can mess up their lives without realizing how much damage they are causing. It may take a village to raise a child, but it doesn't hurt to have two loving parents, with common goals and a deep commitment to one another. With their determination to "have it all," no matter what the price, many modern couples have created obstacles for themselves that may be difficult or even impossible to overcome.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Rollercoaster Ride Of Emotions!, September 1, 2004
If you've read any of Avery Corman's books, you know of his strong ability to make you feel that you are right there with his characters feeling their every emotion. Well, Corman once again demonstrates this special skill in A Perfect Divorce, in which he masterfully tells a story of well-intentioned parents of a teenage son attempt to lessen the impact of their failed two-career marriage with an intelligent, successful divorce. It is a very special tale of life, love, child-rearing and divorce. At times it will make you smile with joy, feel like crying (if not actually cry) out of happiness and sadness, and, at times, break your heart due to the disappointment the divorced parents experience as well as the pain felt by the divorced child. Corman is an excellent writer and one you should not miss. All of his books are well worth reading -- the best of which are Kramer Vs. Kramer, The Old Neighborhood, 50, and Prized Possessions. Do yourself a real favor and get a copy of A Perfect Divorce. I'm confident you'll be very glad you did.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Keeps Your Interest !!!, September 27, 2004
At last! A book that holds my interest! Recently I have picked up and put down again several books that were not well enough written to hold my interest. This book has enough action and good character development to keep me reading. I have not read his other books nor seen the movie "Kramer vs Kramer" adapted from his other novel on divorce. I plan to read more by this author.
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