Edie Middlestein is
grossly overweight and, as a result, in poor health, and after 30 years her
husband Richard, a pharmacist, has had enough of married life. He leaves her for greener pastures, much to
the disgust of his school-teacher daughter, Robyn, and his son and daughter-in-law, Benny and
Rachelle. Robyn is furious at her father
and feels that he is to blame for the disintegration of their family. Rachelle is determined to help Edie lose
weight and regain her health and equally determined to shut Richard out of the family. Benny,
often in a pot-induced state of mellowness, is inexplicably losing his
hair. Edie, in the meantime, continues
to gorge herself, stuffing in as much food as possible as often as possible.
Both Edie and Richard are sympathetic characters. Edie has had issues with
food throughout her life and chose Richard as a suitable husband without a
great deal of thought. One of the most delightful and prescient passages
in the novel refers to the day that Edie and Richard marry, describing
Richard as not knowing that he would never again be as happy. The
Middlesteins are in many ways a typical, middle-class Jewish family that is
coming apart at the seams. Interestingly,
despite the anger of their children and disruption to all their lives, Richard
and Edie seem happier apart. I’m still thinking
about this novel, but I’d recommend it without reservation.
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