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#80 Matrimony
This novel tells the story of Julian Wainwright, an only son from a well-to-do family. At the beginning, we meet Julian as a young man beginning his college and writing career at Graymont College, a liberal arts college that both gets him away from his parents and, to a certain extent, disappoints them at the same time. In his creative writing class, Julian meets Carter. The two are singled out by Professor Chesterfield as the stars of the class and they soon become friends. Carter grew up without those things that Julian took for granted, and no matter how close they become, there is always this socio-economic barrier between them.
Friendship and a trusted relationship with Professor Chesterfield are not the only things that Julian finds at Graymont College. It is there, while doing laundry, that Julian meets and falls in love with Mia Mendelsohn. Although the two both come from families with money, there are many differences between their experiences. Mia’s parents are quite liberal whereas Julian’s are more conservative. Mia’s family holds education and philosophical pursuits in high esteem whereas Julian’s takes pride in its corporate success. These differences, just like those that exist between Julian and Carter, don’t really manifest themselves in a meaningful way until a medical tragedy strikes. It is then that they do their best to continue moving forward, sometimes at cross purposes. It is also during that time that Julian and Mia jump into marriage feet first, but it takes them years to discover what marriage is all about.
Matrimony is about the meaning of friendship and marriage. It is about learning how to live and how to be forgiving. It is also about leading a writer’s life. Julian discovered his dream to write at an early age and never lets it go. In many ways, he is more faithful and understanding of his craft than he is of his wife and his best friend. He doesn’t truly grow as a writer, a man, or a human being, though, until he learns and accepts that he can’t control his writing anymore than he can any other relationship in his life.
I enjoyed the time I spent with the characters who inhabit Matrimony. They are flawed, but they are vulnerable. They suffer for their mistakes, even if they try desperately to act as if they didn’t make any in the first place. I also enjoyed the sub-plot of Julian as a writer. His experiences in writing workshops reminds me of times when my own work was being discussed. Workshops can be brutal, but they can be magical, too. In Matrimony, Joshua Henkin sheds a light on the hard work, commitment and energy required to be a friend, a lover, and a writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to thoughtfully explore any of those things.
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Comments
10 Responses to “#80 Matrimony”
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Laura
Posted: Jun 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 am1Reply to this comment.I have now read several positive reviews of this book, and it sounds like something I would enjoy. I find it easier to read about characters who are not perfect–they are easier to relate to! Great review!
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Jaimie
Posted: Jun 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am2Reply to this comment.Great review! I like flawed characters also. I can really get into a story when I belive in the realities of the characters that are in it.
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Literate Housewife
Posted: Jun 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 pm3Reply to this comment.Laura and Jaimie, thanks! Please check back toward the end of August. The author, Joshua Henkin, has generously offered a signed copy of Matrimony to one of my lucky readers when it comes out in paperback! As the date draws nearer, I’ll have more details on how you can win a free copy.
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Heather Johnson
Posted: Jun 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm4Reply to this comment.Hi! I’m linking up to your review from mine (<a href=”http://age30books.blogspot.com/2008/06/matrimony.html”<here).
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Heather Johnson
Posted: Jun 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm5Reply to this comment.Oops, I messed up the link … let’s try again: here
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pingback:
Posted: Aug 17th, 2008 at 9:00 pm6Review - Matrimony by Joshua Henkin « Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?Reply to this comment.[...] Chartroose’s, Heather’s, Amy’s, Lisa’s, Julie’s, Kristen’s, The Literate Housewife’s, Boston Bibliophile’s, Bethany’s, or [...]
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pingback:
Posted: Sep 8th, 2008 at 10:17 pm7Announcing the BBAW Contest for Book Blog Readers! « The Literate Housewife ReviewReply to this comment.[...] entries will also be sent to Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony! Josh has been a great supporter of book clubs and book blogs and I couldn’t be more thrilled [...]
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pingback:
Posted: Sep 15th, 2008 at 1:07 pm8Holy MATRIMONY! Another Giveaway! « Books on the BrainReply to this comment.[...] of The Literate Housewife Trish of Hey lady! Whatcha readin’? Gautami of My Own Little Reading Room Bookfool of [...]
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Sandy
Posted: Sep 16th, 2008 at 3:59 pm9Reply to this comment.This sounds like a great book, one that I would stay up until it was done.I’d love to win this book! Thanks!
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pingback:
Posted: Dec 14th, 2008 at 1:10 pm10bookgirl’s nightstand | Blog Archive | Giveaway: MatrimonyReply to this comment.[...] for some reviews on Matrimony check out what fellow book bloggers are saying: The Literate Housewife The 3 R’s: Reading, ‘Riting, and Randomness She is Too Fond of Books Age 30 – A Year of [...]
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