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Changing Spaces
When her husband of forty years wants a divorce, shaken-to-her-core Laura Feldman embarks on a bumpy ride from her black & white Midwestern life to the bold colors of New Mexico. In this new landscape where anything might happen, Laura finds inspiration, strength, and transformation in the friendship of Santa Fe women who help her walk the winding road to self-discovery and the home of her heart.
260 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 9, 2014
Not since Marilyn French's 70s novel, THE WOMEN'S ROOM, has there been such a groundbreaking feminist novel. Nancy King tackles 180-degree life flips, divorce, women’s friendship and the healing power of New Mexico in her novel CHANGING SPACES. Just as in THE WOMEN'S ROOM, the central character (Laura) gets an "anvil" dropped on her head when her husband suddenly wants a divorce after a longtime marriage in which Laura has been deeply in love. That King has the couple coupling a few hours before this shocking news is testimony to how skillfully she lets readers know (a) older women can still have sex with their husbands and enjoy it and (b) men are dogs.
Okay, maybe not that last one.
In CHANGING SPACES, men are not so much "dogs" as they are "dogged" in their pursuits. Laura's husband has doggedly pursued a younger woman, thus resulting in his asking for the divorce. And after Laura disappears off the face of Oberlin, Ohio where they have lived their comfortable lives, The Cad regrets his error and tries desperately to learn where she is.
Where Laura "is" determines the trajectory of this story and beats like a liberated heart from its rib cage. CHANGING SPACES is about lost and found identity--specifically the identity of married women who identify so much as wives (even if they have careers such as Laura does) that they eventually lose sight of what they really want until they get the rude "stick in the eye" of their spouse announcing divorce plans.
To its credit, this story is not a feminist diatribe nor does it preach about anything at all. It's a fun romp with the colorful (literally) women and men of Santa Fe with bits of comedy formerly missing from King's earlier books.
As Laura takes on Bed & Breakfast duties in Santa Fe, and frees her spirit in the natural beauty of New Mexico, we want her to succeed. But how will she solve that dilemma that was presented so succinctly in "Muriel's Wedding" when Muriel says, "I can change" and her mean-girl friends sniff, "You'll still be YOU"?
How Laura solves this dilemma is deliciously amusing as she learns how to take on a new "persona" through theater techniques that lead to fresh assertiveness.
And how successful is she at being her true (and improved) Self by the time her husband catches up with her?
Ahhh...that's when the real fun begins.
In today's world where women's rights are still threatened and female role models are scarcer than a rooster's teeth, CHANGING SPACES stands out as a well written testament to the power of women, friendship and nuturing environments.
Okay, maybe not that last one.
In CHANGING SPACES, men are not so much "dogs" as they are "dogged" in their pursuits. Laura's husband has doggedly pursued a younger woman, thus resulting in his asking for the divorce. And after Laura disappears off the face of Oberlin, Ohio where they have lived their comfortable lives, The Cad regrets his error and tries desperately to learn where she is.
Where Laura "is" determines the trajectory of this story and beats like a liberated heart from its rib cage. CHANGING SPACES is about lost and found identity--specifically the identity of married women who identify so much as wives (even if they have careers such as Laura does) that they eventually lose sight of what they really want until they get the rude "stick in the eye" of their spouse announcing divorce plans.
To its credit, this story is not a feminist diatribe nor does it preach about anything at all. It's a fun romp with the colorful (literally) women and men of Santa Fe with bits of comedy formerly missing from King's earlier books.
As Laura takes on Bed & Breakfast duties in Santa Fe, and frees her spirit in the natural beauty of New Mexico, we want her to succeed. But how will she solve that dilemma that was presented so succinctly in "Muriel's Wedding" when Muriel says, "I can change" and her mean-girl friends sniff, "You'll still be YOU"?
How Laura solves this dilemma is deliciously amusing as she learns how to take on a new "persona" through theater techniques that lead to fresh assertiveness.
And how successful is she at being her true (and improved) Self by the time her husband catches up with her?
Ahhh...that's when the real fun begins.
In today's world where women's rights are still threatened and female role models are scarcer than a rooster's teeth, CHANGING SPACES stands out as a well written testament to the power of women, friendship and nuturing environments.
September 1, 2016
Changing Spaces
Life is a journey and you have to go on
Changing Spaces is a gripping tale of one woman self discovery 'after she lost her life'-a divorce after 40 years of marriage. Powerfully felt and beautiful written, full of sense and heart-wrenching sorrow, Changing Spaces by Nancy King is a novel that focuses on the bittersweet process of reinventing a new life for Laura, a 60 years old woman.
Zach and Laura's story unfolds in a pattern of domination by a husband determined to assert his mastery over his wife. Her life grows very turbulent when her husband Zach breaks their marriage in the name of love for a younger woman. Laura does not understand how they ended up with a crumbling relationship.
Shocked, Laura runs from her husband and her past, into an airport shuttle that happens to be going to Santa Fe, where she meets three women whose friendship help her face her heartbreak, sense of, and despair.
She discovers ways to reconnect with her lost self as well as create a new and meaningful life.
By facing the need to make difficult choices. Laura transforms herself in surprising ways.
Will Zach and Laura resolve their marital crisis? If so, how? You will find the answers by reading Changing Spaces, a stunning book to be savoured in a quiet, reflective mood.
Life is a journey and you have to go on
Changing Spaces is a gripping tale of one woman self discovery 'after she lost her life'-a divorce after 40 years of marriage. Powerfully felt and beautiful written, full of sense and heart-wrenching sorrow, Changing Spaces by Nancy King is a novel that focuses on the bittersweet process of reinventing a new life for Laura, a 60 years old woman.
Zach and Laura's story unfolds in a pattern of domination by a husband determined to assert his mastery over his wife. Her life grows very turbulent when her husband Zach breaks their marriage in the name of love for a younger woman. Laura does not understand how they ended up with a crumbling relationship.
Shocked, Laura runs from her husband and her past, into an airport shuttle that happens to be going to Santa Fe, where she meets three women whose friendship help her face her heartbreak, sense of, and despair.
She discovers ways to reconnect with her lost self as well as create a new and meaningful life.
By facing the need to make difficult choices. Laura transforms herself in surprising ways.
Will Zach and Laura resolve their marital crisis? If so, how? You will find the answers by reading Changing Spaces, a stunning book to be savoured in a quiet, reflective mood.
March 28, 2014
I was given a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Laura's husband Zach tells her he wants a divorce after 40 years of marriage because he has 'fallen' in love with another woman (Abby) who is pregnant with their child, Laura's life is literally turned upside down from one moment to the next. What is even more painful for her is that she was unable to have a child and her husband had always refused to agree for them to adopt a child.
So now aged 60 what does she do? On the spur of the moment she takes the shuttle to Sante Fe. She has no clear plan but she knows that she needs to start afresh and change her life. The only thing is that in order to do that she must make significant change within herself, her attitudes and mind-set and can she do that? But if she can't nothing will ever change.
Laura has to focus on reconnecting with the person she truly is rather than what she has become - the submissive housewife - making true friends along the way, Laura learns how to rebuild her self-confidence and self-worth and to take control of her life again.
This is a very thought-provoking story and will resonate with those of us who have had life-changing events unexpectedly thrown upon us.
When Laura's husband Zach tells her he wants a divorce after 40 years of marriage because he has 'fallen' in love with another woman (Abby) who is pregnant with their child, Laura's life is literally turned upside down from one moment to the next. What is even more painful for her is that she was unable to have a child and her husband had always refused to agree for them to adopt a child.
So now aged 60 what does she do? On the spur of the moment she takes the shuttle to Sante Fe. She has no clear plan but she knows that she needs to start afresh and change her life. The only thing is that in order to do that she must make significant change within herself, her attitudes and mind-set and can she do that? But if she can't nothing will ever change.
Laura has to focus on reconnecting with the person she truly is rather than what she has become - the submissive housewife - making true friends along the way, Laura learns how to rebuild her self-confidence and self-worth and to take control of her life again.
This is a very thought-provoking story and will resonate with those of us who have had life-changing events unexpectedly thrown upon us.
May 24, 2015
Changing Places
By Nancy King
Read 23rd May 2015
This book is about the realisation that someone has been lost in the shadow of another person for forty years! When Laura’s husband asks for a divorce she is totally stunned. When she finds out the reason for the divorce she is deeply hurt. She is alone and completely broken. She finds herself in Sante Fe, where she discovers something unique. The friendship and comradeship of other women. The three women help her face her heartbreak and despair. She has difficult choices to make but she changes in a very surprising way. An excellent book . I award it 4 stars.
By Nancy King
Read 23rd May 2015
This book is about the realisation that someone has been lost in the shadow of another person for forty years! When Laura’s husband asks for a divorce she is totally stunned. When she finds out the reason for the divorce she is deeply hurt. She is alone and completely broken. She finds herself in Sante Fe, where she discovers something unique. The friendship and comradeship of other women. The three women help her face her heartbreak and despair. She has difficult choices to make but she changes in a very surprising way. An excellent book . I award it 4 stars.
March 26, 2014
i loved this book. i am a fan of nancy king's writing and my fave of all her books is morning light. this one touched me because it is about a change of life and a change of place…..to santa fe, where i live. king has a lot of depth and humanity in her writing.
September 14, 2014
When Laura’s husband asks her for a divorce, her heart is cracked. Then it is further shattered when she learns the reason is because he has been with another woman, and she is pregnant with their child. Broken and alone she flees to a conference in Albuquerque, and then takes the first shuttle to Santa Fe. What she finds there is extraordinary.
When we get married, two individuals become one. The trick is to find a balance where the original individuals are not lost completely. This book deals with gaining the power of finding yourself and the understanding it is okay to do so. I would recommend this book to anyone who is has been or is going through a divorce. I would also recommend it to anyone who is still happily married and feels like they may be missing a part of themselves. Read this book if you are lost in someone’s shadow, even if it is your own.
When we get married, two individuals become one. The trick is to find a balance where the original individuals are not lost completely. This book deals with gaining the power of finding yourself and the understanding it is okay to do so. I would recommend this book to anyone who is has been or is going through a divorce. I would also recommend it to anyone who is still happily married and feels like they may be missing a part of themselves. Read this book if you are lost in someone’s shadow, even if it is your own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews