The Story of a Marriage is set in 1953 and is narrated by Pearlie Cook. She lives in the Sunset district of San Francisco with her husband, Holland, and her son, who has polio. Pearlie and Holland were childhood sweethearts back in Kentucky but were separated when he was sent to sea in World War II. He suffered disastrous burns when his ship sunk, and they reunited after the war. Pearlie knows her husband is an attractive man, but she also senses that he's delicate with a weak heart. She's willing to do anything to keep their life on an even keel, but it all threatens to come apart when Buzz Drummer arrives on their doorstep. Buzz knew Holland during the war and his claims about Holland's past cause Pearlie to question everything. This novel from Andrew Sean Greer (
The Confessions of Max Tivoli) has received positive reviews with the Washington Post saying, "This is a plot that deepens as surprises explode unexpectedly and terrifyingly.
The Story of a Marriage is more than worth the reader's attention. It's thoughtful, complex and exquisitely written."
