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When a marriage meets a therapist...Annette and Spicer make a perfect pair: he thirty-nine, wide-shouldered, square-jawed, and often likened to Harrison Ford; she slight, fair, delicately featured, and sometimes likened to Meryl Streep. He with a son (Jason, eleven) from a previous marriage, she with a daughter (Susan, thirteen) from a ditto. He and she, after ten years, expecting their own baby. But on this, the first day of the rest of their blissful lives, Spicer fails to kiss Annette goodbye as he leaves for the office.
A seemingly idyllic marriage unravels rapidly when a husband fails to perform a simple morning ritual, triggering a cascade of domestic instability. Annette and Spicer appear to be the quintessential modern couple, balancing blended families and professional success until a single missed kiss signals the erosion of their foundation. As they navigate the complexities of their shared life and the impending arrival of a new child, the narrative exposes the fragility of their carefully constructed domesticity. The story employs a sharp, observational lens to dissect the psychological undercurrents of their relationship and the external pressures that threaten to dismantle their union.
This work is characterized by the author's signature biting wit and her unflinching examination of the domestic sphere. The narrative structure suggests a cynical look at the performative nature of modern relationships and the ease with which they can collapse under scrutiny. Readers often note the author's ability to balance dark humor with a clinical dissection of human behavior, making the characters feel both recognizable and deeply flawed. The premise points to a story that prioritizes social commentary and psychological acuity over traditional romantic tropes, resulting in a narrative that remains focused on the internal mechanics of marital discord.
Page Count:
172
Publication Date:
1995-01-01
Publisher:
Flamingo
ISBN-10:
0006546838
ISBN-13:
9780006546832
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