Publication
Michael Joseph (2017), 400 pages
Description
Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her. He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in south-east Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it. Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet ... However, for Amy it's enough to send her - along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers - teetering over the edge. For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman? Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then isn't she?
User reviews
LibraryThing member charl08
I first came across Marion Keyes thanks to a very generous housemate at university. She writes believable friends in funny Irish families, with plenty of emotional turmoil and an optimistic ending. I can't remember one book that didn't make me laugh out loud.
'Maybe I’ll do a vlog with
‘Would I be on telly?’
‘Granny . . .’ A note of warning has entered Neeve’s voice. ‘Don’t make me explain the internet to you again.’
‘No, no. No. I understand it. It’s magic telly for the young people.’‘
'Maybe I’ll do a vlog with
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you.’‘Would I be on telly?’
‘Granny . . .’ A note of warning has entered Neeve’s voice. ‘Don’t make me explain the internet to you again.’
‘No, no. No. I understand it. It’s magic telly for the young people.’‘
Show Less
LibraryThing member boudicca123
What do you do when your husband, out of the blue, announces that he is taking a 6 month break from his life with freedom to go where he wants and do what he wants? This is Amy’s dilemma. I would have really liked this book, but it was way, way too long, so much so that anything and everything to
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do with work, the mother plus other inessential characters I just skimmed over or missed out entirely otherwise I would never have got through it all! Hugh was a drip and I didn’t take to him at all and man magnet Amy was annoying to say the least. There weren’t any surprises or “didn’t see that coming” moments. This would be perfect for those readers who enjoy LONG chick-lit books. Show Less
LibraryThing member triscuit
Too long. Started well and dragged on. Bring back the nevella!
LibraryThing member amaraki
Chick lit that was quite enjoyable for its humour and realistic treatment of modern day themes and dilemmas, but it was WAY TOO LONG. Really felt at times I was forcing myself to plod through . Some characters I felt were totally artificial: e.g. Neeve who at age 22 still hopes her parents will get
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back together even though her biological father abandoned them early on. No I would not agree with the newspaper reviews that it was 'brilliant', or 'mercilessly funny', but definitely worth a read for 'a break' from more serious reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member ASKelmore
Best for:
Those looking for an interesting read that’s a bit longer than one might expect from fiction targeted at women.
In a nutshell:
Amy’s husband Hugh wants a six-month break.
Worth quoting:
I studied her avidly, keen to know how other people managed the tricky, tricky business of being a
Why I chose it:
Airport purchase. Remember airports?
Review:
I bought this book back when known cases of COVID-19 were mostly limited to Asia. I flew from the UK to the US to be with my parents during surgery, then went to visit some friends in the pacific northwest. As always, I bought a book at the airport to add to the four I had with me.
I started it on one of my flights, but wasn’t really able to get into it. I know for some people, being home so much right now (last I heard, about 4 billion of the world’s population are on lock down) means they are reading a lot, but I just can’t focus. I don’t have kids, and I don’t really even need to leave the house (we’re fine with grocery delivery). I’m just mentally exhausted, and this book wasn’t as light a read as I was hoping.
Sorry, there’s supposed to be a review in here somewhere, right?
Amy lives in Dublin with her daughter from her first marriage (to a footballer), her daughter from her current marriage, and sometimes her niece. She’s in public relations and help rehabilitate famous folks who have fucked up. Her husband is going through some things, and has decided he needs a 6-month break from their marriage.
The book is divided into before, during, and after. The during part doesn’t last as long as I expected, and the after bit is more intense than I was expecting. But I appreciated the characters - they weren’t caricatures or stereotypes. Amy’s husband Hugh isn’t a cad; he’s someone who is hurting and is confused. Amy isn’t some scorned woman; she has agency. Even their kids are complex.
It’s not higher rated for me mostly because I think it is just too long. I think the story could have been tightened up a bit, though maybe others would think that would sacrifice the quality. I do know if I come across her books again I will probably pick one up.
Keep it / Pass to a Friend / Donate it / Toss it:
Donate it (eventually)
Those looking for an interesting read that’s a bit longer than one might expect from fiction targeted at women.
In a nutshell:
Amy’s husband Hugh wants a six-month break.
Worth quoting:
I studied her avidly, keen to know how other people managed the tricky, tricky business of being a
Show More
woman.Why I chose it:
Airport purchase. Remember airports?
Review:
I bought this book back when known cases of COVID-19 were mostly limited to Asia. I flew from the UK to the US to be with my parents during surgery, then went to visit some friends in the pacific northwest. As always, I bought a book at the airport to add to the four I had with me.
I started it on one of my flights, but wasn’t really able to get into it. I know for some people, being home so much right now (last I heard, about 4 billion of the world’s population are on lock down) means they are reading a lot, but I just can’t focus. I don’t have kids, and I don’t really even need to leave the house (we’re fine with grocery delivery). I’m just mentally exhausted, and this book wasn’t as light a read as I was hoping.
Sorry, there’s supposed to be a review in here somewhere, right?
Amy lives in Dublin with her daughter from her first marriage (to a footballer), her daughter from her current marriage, and sometimes her niece. She’s in public relations and help rehabilitate famous folks who have fucked up. Her husband is going through some things, and has decided he needs a 6-month break from their marriage.
The book is divided into before, during, and after. The during part doesn’t last as long as I expected, and the after bit is more intense than I was expecting. But I appreciated the characters - they weren’t caricatures or stereotypes. Amy’s husband Hugh isn’t a cad; he’s someone who is hurting and is confused. Amy isn’t some scorned woman; she has agency. Even their kids are complex.
It’s not higher rated for me mostly because I think it is just too long. I think the story could have been tightened up a bit, though maybe others would think that would sacrifice the quality. I do know if I come across her books again I will probably pick one up.
Keep it / Pass to a Friend / Donate it / Toss it:
Donate it (eventually)
Show Less
LibraryThing member ElizabethCromb
Quirky tale of an Irish family and the impact of their dad wanting to take a break from his marriage. Well woven characters of various members of the family. Light with some heavier threads.
Awards
Irish Book Award (Winner — Popular Fiction — 2017)
The British Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — Fiction — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017
Physical description
400 p.; 9.17 inches
ISBN
0718179730 / 9780718179731
Other editions
The Break by Marian Keyes (Paperback)