Splitting (Weldon, Fay) [Paperback]

Fay Weldon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Weldon, Fay | Publication Date: May 1, 1996

A sharp and funny portrait of divorce. Splitting captures brilliantly the chaotic rhythms of a woman in crisis as it chronicles Angelica's disintegration into a handful of a "perforated" personalities. No one writes with shrewder insight about women and that ambiguous and overriding presence in their lives-men -- than Fay Weldon. This is a journey rich with her wit, wisdom, and very original narrative power. "It's always a pleasure to read a seasoned novelist in peak form; Weldon is in complete control of her material here, effortlessly shifting between laughter and tears." -- Booklist; "Splitting is a vintage Weldon brew: sharp, effervescent, easily consumed and just the sort that leaves you ready for another round." -- The Hartford Courant; "A darkly comic portrait of one woman's shattering response to divorce: the latest from an author rightly celebrated for writing witty cautionary tales about the contemporary sexual jungle." -- Kirkus Reviews.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Divorce is one kind of split; adding an alternate personality is another. Angelica Rice experiences both sorts in this highly improper sendup of proper English society as Weldon (The Life and Loves of a She-Devil) inventively tweaks stereotypical doting wives, vengeful-goddess types, efficient office workers, saucy sexpots and?per usual?men, by giving Angelica distinct personalities corresponding to each. As a young woman, Angelica isn't entirely neurotic; after a career as a 17-year-old pop star (of "Kinky Virgin" song fame), she weds country gentleman Sir Edwin Rice. Although her well-bred neighbors conduct unseemly affairs in classic comedy-of-manners fashion, Angelica remains loyal to Sir Edwin and styles herself as the prim "Lady Rice." But when, in her 30s, her 16-year marriage founders, Lady Rice experiences the reemergence of her earthy "Angelica" self, as well as the arrival of the pragmatic "Jelly White." Lady Rice is perfectly appalled when a lusty fourth identity seduces her chauffeur, and then a fifth self?a tough guy named "Ajax"?threatens to thrash Sir Edwin. Angelica, we learn, is not so much split as "perforated"?her personalities can cooperate with or challenge each other's actions. Meanwhile, Weldon again proves herself one of a kind, a smart satirist whose playful exploration of psychology reveals society's fault lines and fractures. 50,000 first printing; major ad/promo; author tour; rights: Ed Victor Ltd.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Weldon's trademark astringent style and sardonic view of the relationships between men and women, shown to perfection in Life Force (LJ 12/91), are equally well demonstrated in this novel about a woman who goes to pieces when her marriage breaks up. When Lord Edwin Rice unjustly accuses his wife of infidelity and asks for a divorce, her personality "perforates" into four parts, consisting of Angelica, the former rock singer who, as a teenager, loved Edwin and married him; Jelly, the working girl who gets a job with Edwin's lawyer and conveniently misplaces important papers having to do with the divorce; the libertine, Angel, who leads the other three in a series of sexual escapades; and, finally, the prim and proper Lady Rice. The four learn to accommodate their often humorous differences and get on with the process of healing. Both long-time Weldon fans and new readers will enjoy this novel. Recommended for most collections.
-?Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871136368
• ISBN-13: 978-0871136367
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,812,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Like Bridget Jones' Diary? Similar feel here!, December 6, 2001

By 

"tlaloc7" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Splitting (Hardcover)

This is one of those delicious little paperbacks that makes you laugh aloud with its acidic absurdity. Weldon assumes an almost "once upon a time" tone to tell a fairy tale gone bad, what happens when the once-rich-but-titleless lady and the once-poor-and-titled man split up. Splitting refers not only to the various couplings of Edwin and Angelica's little clique and their inevitable upsets, but also what happens to poor Angelica's mind as it attempts to remedy the situation. You cannot help but root for Angelica and to feel like and dislike for her various personalities, and even the ones you dislike will amuse you. Not a serious read, but definitely fun to curl up with on a rainy day. (Beware trying it as a "read to sleep book" - it's humour is too sharp for that; I stayed up much later than I should have for lack of reader self-control.)

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars one of the latest books by Weldon deserves 4 stars IMHO, June 9, 1999

By 

Elena Alperovich (Burlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Splitting (Weldon, Fay) (Paperback)

For those who follow the books by Fay Weldon as they come out... i wouldn't call it her best but it is up there, with the very enjoyable ones, i liked it just a bit less than 'Worst Fears' which is an amazingly well written book with the sharpest observations and the typical dark, witty humor so characteristic of Fay Weldon