Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston - Book Review

The title of Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston is honest advertising--you are not buying a happy, upbeat book when you pick it up. I would not recommend this book to most friends because I did not find it pleasant or instructive to read about a failing marriage. It was, however, realistic and engaging. Even when I wanted to, I could not put Happiness Sold Separately down. The story is well-written and the characters are believable. It is a good book, but happiness is sold separately.

When I finished Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, Happiness Sold Separately is well-written and engaging. I could not get the characters out of my head and did not want to put the book down. In that sense, it was a satisfying reading experience.

Happiness Sold Separately was, however, a very sad book with only a little redemptive value. While I do not feel as if every book must be happy, I think there is a difference between something like Night by Elie Wiesel--which is true and forces readers to grapple with suffering and evil--and something like Happiness Sold Separately--which left me feeling empty, the way watching a soap opera where everyone has too many problems does.

Happiness Sold Separately starts with Elinor discovering that her husband is committing adultery. They have grown apart through their struggle with infertility and their marriage is in serious trouble. The book takes you through their struggle to save their marriage.

One of the best things about Happiness Sold Separately is how realistic it is. Until the end, I wondered what would happen. There are no easy answers. Love is not oversimplified.

Another strength is the way it is told. Winston shows us several points of view. I was interested in and routing for all the characters, even when I did not like them.

In many ways, Happiness Sold Separately is a good book. Be warned, however, that the title applies to what you are getting when you buy the book.