Split: A Memoir of Divorce (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "By the time N left, running out of the house one evening with nothing but the clothes on his back and a voluminous gym bag,..." (more)
Key Phrases: duh duh, Thing Woman, Betty Lady, Russian Hill (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

California journalist and author Finnamore (The Zygote Chronicles) renders a sharp, cut-to-the-quick account of her painful divorce after five years of marriage. Living in the canyons of tony Marin County with her marketing v-p husband, N, and their toddler son she calls A, the author is devastated by N's announcement that he wants a divorce—and yet she is not surprised. In brief, astute chapters riddled with a dry, deadpan humor, the author reconstructs this surreal journey from giddy romance with a suave older man (she is 40, while he is in his 50s), through motherhood and the dawning suspicions of his infidelity, to his abandonment and denial that he is involved with someone else. Finnamore enlists various characters to see her through her crisis, which spans denial and anger, grief and acceptance: her jaded, long remarried mother, Bunny, who brings the pain-killers and stocks the house with junk food; her no-nonsense diminutive friend Lisa, who remarks upon hearing the news of the divorce, You have no idea how I have longed for this day; and her vehemently antimarriage childhood buddy Christian. Eschewing a divorce lawyer, Finnamore manages to come through with the help of her friends and conveys in this frank, winning memoir her supreme vulnerability and bravery. (Apr.)
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From Booklist

In this mordant memoir, novelist Finnamore takes readers through the dark, devastating days of her divorce. She begins with the moment her then-husband, referred to only as N, announces he’s leaving (he tells her she’s beautiful first), tracing her traumatic emotional journey through denial, anger, bargaining, grief, and, ultimately, acceptance. It’s not that there weren’t signs: a woman’s name scribbled on a cocktail napkin, a small volume of Zen poetry amorously inscribed to N. But Finnamore can’t believe that a relationship sprinkled with romantic moments and satisfying sex became so ravaged and raw. Finnamore changes names and details to protect the innocent. She also directs plenty of invective at her ex (though she says the two are now best friends). Part advice manual, part rant, this potent read percolates with Finnamore’s acerbic wit: There are so many marriage ceremonies, she writes, there ought to be one for divorce. Instead of rice, people could throw fistfuls of cash and light hallucinogens. --Allison Block

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (April 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052595046X
• ISBN-13: 978-0525950462
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #371,971 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read., July 22, 2009

By	B. Smith - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Split: A Memoir of Divorce (Hardcover)

This story, while heartbreaking, was inspiring. There is life after divorce, you just have to get through the hard times first. I really connected with the characters and felt the story really resonated with me. It wasn't an uplifting story, of course, but one that I feel needs to be told and read by people like me. A must, must read for anyone who has ever felt the pain of loss then then thrill of moving on. Another good read about this subject matter--Playtime.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, August 18, 2008

By	therese raquin (NYC) - See all my reviews

I have read every book on this subject (divorce). Although it came out a bit late in the day (decade) for me - or rather for my own divorce - it still provided still needed succor. Funny and beautifully written and studded with sentences you will want to write down. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very true portrayal of women going through divorce, May 14, 2008

By	Determined dog rescuer (Elk Grove Village) - See all my reviews

I could not put this book down. Finnamore brings the utter angst, grief and full gamut of emotions one experiences when getting divorced in this wonderful memoir. I look forward to reading her novels and wish her the best.