[The following review is part of the Indiscretion blog tour organized through TLC Book Tours. To check out the other stops on the tour, visit the tour page. For giveaway entry, see the Rafflecopter widget at the end of the review]
Adultery is boring. I think
one gets to a certain age and realizes that the entire idea of adultery as an
offense is as predictable as it is hurtful. The entire affair tends to happen
in a prescribed order of events and rarely strays from that order. As a narrative
theme in literature, it's as dull as dishwater. As a subject for a novel, it is
the proverbial dead horse. If an author chooses to go down this path, tread
carefully lest thou fall victim to cliche.
That's not to say that
authors should not explore the subject, but one has to be careful. There are
only so many ways in which to make infidelity an interesting topic. As a
backdrop for other narrative streams for instance or as a plot twist. But as
the central focus of a
novel? Egads! No! Adultery as
the central action of a novel is nothing short of banal.
Which makes Charles Dubow's
new novel Indiscretion somewhat of a
surprise. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel, Indiscretion is banal to its very core. It revels in its banality.
It glories in cliches and predictable outcomes: the carelessly ignored credit
card bills, the thinly veiled web of lies. The banality of adultery is the part
of the point. The predictable outcomes are as much part of the theme of the
novel as the adulterous action. Indiscretion is banal by design but dull it is
not.
Well played Mr. Dubow.
The novel explores the
relationship between Harry and Maddie Winslow, a couple who have everything
they could possibly want. Harry is a former college athlete and a successful
novelist. Maddie is independently wealthy and fills her days learning the
culinary arts and taking care of their nine-year old son. Together that have an
apartment in Manhattan , a house the Hamptons and a jet set lifestyle that enables them to
spend winters in Rome and weekends in Paris . In their spare time
they enjoy long walks on the beach and taking Harry's Cessna for a spin. Life
has been good to Harry and Maddie. As Jack Donaghy once put it, the Winslows
are living in "the bubble." They are the 1%. We should all be so
lucky.
![]() |
Charles Dubow |
You've read this story
before. Thousands of times. And don't expect any surprises. The reader is
acutely aware of the direction of the narrative at every turn. And why
shouldn't we be? Dubow is intelligent enough to understand that he is not going
to surprise us when Harry and Claire invariably end up in bed together or how
the affair progresses to its logical and painful end or the fallout and
aftermath. The emotions involved are nothing new. It's all been said and done
before. In books and movies and television. There's no reason to attempt to
trick the readers when there are no tricks forthcoming.
But Dubow is a craftsman.
Even though we all know where this novel is heading, his characterization and
pacing make even the most telegraphed action interesting. Dubow stops to savor
the moments, relish in the tension or passion or tragedy. In that respect,
Indiscretion is a thorough examination not only of the adultery theme but of
adultery itself. Dubow mulls over the age old adage: we don't really know what
we want until we've already lost it. We are all inherently selfish. We can
blame it on youth, middle-age, old age, sex or even tragedy but selfishness is
the driving force in how we interact with the world.
But I don't want to imply
that this novel is a cliche simply because it explores a cliche. Indiscretion is something more,
something different from the piles of other novels on the subject. What sets
this novel apart is the quality of the narration. Indiscretion is told from the perspective of Walter, a Manhattan
lawyer and a man who is secretly and hopelessly in love with Maddie, which, by
my count, makes four in this increasingly mis-named love triangle, though
Walter remains a discreet outsider to the event unfolding though out the book,
or so he says.
The lawyer in him gives the
novel an objective, almost clinical tone. There is an emotionless quality to
the narrative in its present tense and straightforward sentences. He neither
vilified nor victimizes any of the players in the drama. He is reticent about
laying blame on any particular person or event. Rather he lays out the
narrative in such a way as there are no good guys or bad guys.
Indiscretion
works as a novel about adultery precisely because it is banal. These sorts of
stories rarely, if ever, culminate in boiled rabbits and attempted murder in
the bathroom. The reality is far more protracted and mundane. It is a testament
to Charles Dubow that he has written a decidedly readable novel on the subject
of adultery in a manner that mirrors reality as opposed to a Hollywood
fiction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Reviewer: Ryan is a Canadian citizen lost somewhere
in Asia , which is a terrible place to be lost
if you like reading English books. He gets by via second hand book stores
and his Kindle. If given the choice (though he rarely is) he prefers
literary fiction and non-fiction. Oh yeah... and zombies. Ryan has
been an avid reader of zombie lore for over 20 years. That's either
awesome or utterly sad. You can choose. And if you want to see what
else Ryan has been reading, you can visit his personal blog, Reading in Taiwan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Giveaway: The publisher has been kind
enough to offer up one physical copy to readers from the U.S. and Canada . You know the drill—sign up using the
Rafflecopter widget below.
Sounds the like author did a great job at writing a highly readable novel about a topic that can get, as you mention, cliche. Sometimes I do like to read a book that has that cold, clinical tone to it. It's almost unsettling.
ReplyDeleteFantastic review!
I like the idea that someone can take a cliche and somehow make it enjoyable. It's a rare talent.
DeleteInteresting premise for a book.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDelete"...a thorough examination not only of the adultery theme but of adultery itself." Interesting! The writer must be fantastic to have held your attention with something that you point out is actually mundane.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour!
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