I like it this way

My life and watching people

The Post Birthday World book by Lionel Shriver

When I first picked up this 500 plus page book at the library I had doubts about whether I would like it or not. I read so much and have for so long that I can often decide pretty much whether I am going to like a book by reading the teaser on the inside of the front jacket and the reviews on the back. The story line was tempting enough, but what sold me were the reviews of Lionel Shriver’s previous book, “We Need to Talk about Kevin” which I haven’t read but now intend to because the reviewers raved about it.

Now, on to my review of one of the best books I have read in a very long time, “The Post Birthday World.” With brilliance and cleverness, Lionel Shriver tells two alternating stories of Irina McGovern and how her life would have turned out had she made two different choices in love, and in her career. Set in London, Irina has lived a comfortable, if sometimes boring, but secure life as a children’s book illustrator with her lover and companion, Lawrence Tanner. Irina and Lawrence befriend a famous snooker player named Ramsey Acton, who is the husband of Irina’s writing collaborator, Jude. The couple begin taking Ramsey out for his annual birthday dinner after he and Jude split up. Irina develops a bit of a crush on Ramsey. He is so different from Lawrence. Where Lawrence is smart, attractive but safe, Ramsey is wild, handsome and unstable. After several years of traditionally hosting a celebration as a couple for Ramsey’s birthday, the year of Ramsey’s 47th birthday on July 6th is the turning point for all of their lives. Lawrence is out of town and she takes Ramsey out by herself. This is where the fun begins with the book.

Ms. Shriver, in what I consider a genius move as a writer and what makes the book so compelling, has Irina in one chapter making the choice of kissing Ramsey in his basement and falling in love with him, describing all the things that happen due to that one decision, then in the next chapter Irina avoids temptation and doesn’t kiss Ramsey, although her life with Lawrence begins to change anyway. The book continues in this vein, with every other chapter following her morally right decision and the life she leads and every other chapter having her leaving Lawrence and marrying Ramsey.

But you know what, even though the story is entertaining to the max, the best part of this book, in my opinion, is some of the wonderful insights Lionel Shriver makes into the human psyche and our natures. And the message the book sends is one I needed to learn at this time in my life. No matter what choices we make life has a way of having the last word, and there are no guarantees.

If you want to read a book that you simply cannot put down “The Post Birthday World” is one of those books. I was sorry to see it end.

  1. grayp posted this