The Bottom Line
Laura Rider's Masterpiece by Jane Hamilton is a short, comic novel about a woman who arranges for her husband to have an affair with her personal hero so that she can observe the relationship and write a romance novel. The writing is very tongue in cheek, with witty observations about the intellectual elite, marriage and romance. It is a fun, quick read.
Pros
- 'Laura Rider's Masterpiece' is quick, easy and entertaining.
- It qualifies as "intelligent beach reading."
- Hamilton writes her characters & their viewpoints well.
Cons
- The novel doesn't go as deep as some of Hamilton's other books.
Description
- 'Laura Rider's Masterpiece' by Jane Hamilton was first published in April 2009.
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
- 224 Pages
Guide Review - Laura Rider's Masterpiece by Jane Hamilton - Book Review
Laura Rider's Masterpiece jumps right into Laura and Charlie's sex life. After twelve years of marriage, she is tired of his constant need and decides to cut him off. With more time on her hands, Laura decides to pursue a secret dream -- to write a romance novel. Feel the irony? Laura Rider's Masterpiece is full of it -- the wife with no libido writing sex and romance, the intellectually elite radio personality who becomes a cliche, the virile husband who the town assumes is gay. Jane Hamilton uses irony and wit to create a comic, although sometimes heartbreaking, novel.
The twist in the story comes when Charlie meets Laura's idol, a public radio show host. Laura orchestrates a friendship between Charlie and Jenna that quickly turns into something more. The reader's tension builds throughout the affair, aware all along that the only possible ending is disaster.
I recommend Laura Rider's Masterpiece to anyone looking for a light but intelligent read.
