Alex & Zee

by Cordelia Strube

It maddens Alex that there has never been anyone in her life she has liked as much as Zee. Never been anyone who could make her laugh when she felt ready to put her fist through the wall. Never been anyone she's felt could withstand all forces of her personality, both negative and positive. Pushing through the turnstile, she thinks he'd probably be better off without her. He could smoke himself to death, drink himself to death, sit in the bath and never clean the ring; he could think about whatever he thinks about for hours. He wouldn't have her to remind him that the day is over, that it's meal time, bed time. He could just stay the same twenty-four hours a day, an amoeba; a simple microscopic organism. A blob.
When Daisy leaves to do her volunteer work at the hospital, Zee pulls down the blinds and unplugs the phone. Sitting in her pink bathtub, he thinks it's wonderful that he can unplug the phone and not answer the door; that he can disconnect. He couldn't disconnect with Alex around. Now he doesn't have to do anything, doesn't have to go to the park or a bar because he doesn't have to keep out of her way .... Leaning his head back against the rim, he tries to decide what to do with his day. He could go for a walk, or maybe a movie. He could do his laundry or go for a donut. He sets his feet on either side of the faucet, thinking that it's quite peaceful really. Without her. Maybe it's better this way....

Genres: Canada

351 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Read an interview and an excerpt of Cordelia's new novel, On the Shores of Darkness, There Is Light, in Numéro Cinq Magazine: http://goo.gl/9KOheD

Watch a video of Cordelia interacting with students at York University's Canadian Writers in Person here: https://youtu.be/7548Yv5E5qI

Cordelia Strube is an accomplished playwright and the author of nine critically acclaimed novels, including Alex & Zee, Teaching Pigs to Sing, and Lemon. Winner of the CBC literary competition and a Toronto Arts Foundation Award, she has been nominated for the Governor General’s Award, the Trillium Book Award, the WH Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award, and the Prix Italia, and longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Strube is a two-time finalist for ACTRA’s Nellie Award celebrating excellence in Canadian broadcasting and a three-time nominee for the ReLit Award. She lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first Cordelia Strube book I read was 'On the Shores of Darkness, There is Light', and I was blown away by it. I became so immersed in the characters and absolutely loved the book. So I dove into 'Alex & Zee' with high expectations, and unfortunately they were not met. It was still great writing and a decent read overall, but I just never found myself attached to the characters.

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex & Zee is at heart a contemporary romance but, considering the inclinations of the author and her characters, we do not get the hearts and flowers part but the gritty underside of passionate commitment and the ambivalence of love.

why doesnt she feel as if she wants to live? Why does she feel like a blob?
If she values her life, why doesnt she get off her ass and enjoy every moment of it?
p97

so its a bit of a mystery, as well

[Marshaferz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not brilliant, but very enjoyable to read. The end of a dysfunctional relationship and the aftermath and growth that taks place.