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A review by pattydsf
The Kept Man by Jami Attenberg
3.0
I have to admit that I had never heard of Jami Attenberg until this year's Tournament of Books. Maybe I should say that I did not consciously remember her. Since I ordered fiction for my library for decades, I must of read reviews of her work.
I so loved her review of Eleanor & Park for the Tournament that I decided to pick up one of her books. The storyline for The Kept Man grabbed my attention.
I have never read a book quite like this novel. Jarvis Miller has been waiting six years for her husband to wake up from a coma or to die. I won't give away the plot, but usually authors don't write about waiting periods in life. They tell us about when things happen.
Things do happen in this story, but for me the story and the telling were very low key. A lot happens, but all of it happens slowly, painfully. However, I did like Jarvis and some of the other characters. The most intriguing person for me was Martin, Jarvis' husband. It is not often that you meet someone only through other people. The whole tale left me with things to think about. That made The Kept Man a worthwhile read.
My library has two other novels by Attenberg. I will probably try another book by her. I want to meet more of the people she writes about.
I recommend this novel to people like to read about New York City, to those readers who like meeting new folk through their reading and to those who find decisions about life and death compelling reading.
I so loved her review of Eleanor & Park for the Tournament that I decided to pick up one of her books. The storyline for The Kept Man grabbed my attention.
I have never read a book quite like this novel. Jarvis Miller has been waiting six years for her husband to wake up from a coma or to die. I won't give away the plot, but usually authors don't write about waiting periods in life. They tell us about when things happen.
Things do happen in this story, but for me the story and the telling were very low key. A lot happens, but all of it happens slowly, painfully. However, I did like Jarvis and some of the other characters. The most intriguing person for me was Martin, Jarvis' husband. It is not often that you meet someone only through other people. The whole tale left me with things to think about. That made The Kept Man a worthwhile read.
My library has two other novels by Attenberg. I will probably try another book by her. I want to meet more of the people she writes about.
I recommend this novel to people like to read about New York City, to those readers who like meeting new folk through their reading and to those who find decisions about life and death compelling reading.