An American Romance

by Hans Koning

When NewSouth published Zeeland, we also undertook a reprint program to bring back into print all of the author's earlier novels. These are being issued in chronological order.Koning's second novel (1960) is about love and marriage -- and the devastating difference between them. Two attractive young people marry within three weeks of their first meeting, and their early days are spent in intense excitement. For Philip, Ann is the woman of his dreams. But he has not learned to live with fulfillment. In this story, Koning looks deeply into the natures of men and women.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Biographical information written by the family of Hans Koning

Reviews

[MJ Nicholls · Rating 2 out of 5]

Senryu Review:

Speedy betrothal
cured by bohemian sex
in styleless snoozefest

[Julia ✌️😙 · Rating 3 out of 5]

was chanting “DIVORCE!” whole way through

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked the beginning of the story - the whirlwind romance & all, but then it stopped being entertaining and got depressing. Not sure of the point of it all, really.

[zespri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is the '60's and this is New York, the land of dreams. Philip and Anne meet at a party, and their relationship progresses swiftly, from immediate attraction to marriage, within weeks. At first their life hardly moves from within the walls of their appartment, as they enjoy the exhiliration of their first passion.

Slowly, though, the marriage starts to unravel, as Philip feels trapped and unsettled. Still in search of the dream, he appears to sabotage the happiness they have enjoyed. A turning point seems to be reached when Anne finds herself pregnant, and the unwanted intrusion in their ideal forces them to re-evaluate everything they had based their relationship on.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Revolutionary Road’ (Richard Yates) meets ‘The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker’ (Charles Webb). This short novel was published in 1960, the year before ‘Revolutionary Road’ which seems to owe it some debt with some similar scenes (abortion, fantasies of life in Europe, etc.) A close examination of a modern (1960s, New York) marriage in a Capitalist American framework.

[Bachyboy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little distressing but quick to read. It is another book focused on the slow decline of a marriage which is in sharp contrast to the passionate beginning of their romance.