Today is another review for the Literary Wives blogging club, in which we discuss the depiction of wives in fiction. If you have read the book, please participate by leaving comments on any of our blogs.
Be sure to read the reviews and comments of the other wives!
- Lynn of Smoke and Mirrors
- Naomi of Consumed By Ink
- Rebecca of Bookish Beck
My Review
State of the Union takes place in ten scenes, as Tom and Louise meet in a pub before their marriage-counseling sessions. The novel is almost completely dialogue as the couple bicker and each picks apart what the other says. Although Louise has had an affair, she says it’s because Tom stopped having sex with her. Tom says he stopped having sex with her because she was clearly uninterested.
I haven’t read a Nick Hornby novel in a while, although the ones I read I found touching and engaging, particularly High Fidelity and About a Boy. State of the Union just seems too facile to me, though, about a couple who are more interested in scoring points off each other than talking seriously about their problems. Then when they finally start talking, they clear up their problems too quickly.
What does this book say about wives or about the experience of being a wife?
It says Hornby wants someone to make a movie from his book.
whatmeread 
Lol, Kay!
I was thinking the same thing – it felt like scenes. Then I saw on Rebecca’s post that it had been a TV series. I will have to look it up!
That certainly explains it.
“It says Hornby wants someone to make a movie from his book.” 😂😂😂
Thanks!
Maybe Hornby should just become a screenwriter????
He pretty much is.