Saturday, February 4, 2017

The Half Life: A Short Story by Jennifer Weiner   AudioBook:  1 hour, 15 mins       E-Book 64 pages

Jennifer Weiner is a good writer.   This is a bitter sweet break up story.   A couple’s seemingly solid marriage implodes.  Piper and Tosh DeWitt seem to have it all and materialistically maybe they do but when it comes to really sharing emotional connections with one another they miss the mark.   Pipe is busy and focused on her career.    Tosh is going through emotional detachment after losing his teaching position.    Piper knows it will all be o.k.   She makes enough money to support them so she doesn’t give Tosh a hard time about looking for another position.    She is trying to be supportive by being understanding and giving him time to sort out what he wants to do.    Piper is preparing for a meeting she has to attend in Paris where she will observe the corporate culture at the location she is going to, then  evaluate how best to increase their efficiency by streamling jobs (and yes downsizing/firing some staff).   They have a young daughter Nola and the conversations they do have tend to be mostly about her.    Piper is preoccupied with her upcoming trip and Tosh seems to never be around when she wants to talk.   She feels they have been distant lately but hopes on her return they can sit down and talk about what Tosh is going through and reconnect with some quality time.   As she is going out the door to the airport Tosh throws some harsh comments her way and tries to give her a letter he insists she is not to read until she is on the plane.   She is frustrated he wants to vent now when she is obviously not able to give the time and thought to this discussion that it requires and assures him when she gets back her mother can keep Nola an extra day so they can have some time together just the two of them to talk.    Tosh is freaking out shouting for her to just read the letter once she is on the plane and it will explain everything he is going through.   She’s like, “No, we will talk when I get back.”       She is snatching and grabbing her stuff to dash to the taxi and doesn’t notice Tosh stuck the letter in her bag.   She finds the letter at the airport and it changes their lives forever.    Don’t want to spoil the story for you, but, if you are looking for a quick read or listen this is a descent one.    Like I said, bittersweet.     I want so much to tell you the rest of the story so read it so we’ll all know what happens.                                                                  

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