The Men's Room

by Ann Oakley

Charity Walton seems to have everything she could want: a husband, four children, a lovely house in London, and a successful career as a sociologist. Then she meets Mark Carleton, the incoming Head of the Sociology Department where she works: clever, handsome, and American. Having devoted herself for years to her family, Charity finds herself surrendering to Carleton's charismatic pull. Their sex is frequent, passionate, sometimes violent, their love consuming and volatile. Soon Charity, having abandoned all she has known, realizes that love is often far from true. This is a fluent, bitter story of love and sexual politics.

Genres: Fiction, Feminism, Romance, 20th Century

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most appallingly written books I have ever read; topped by only The Book of Mormon and the 1983 Labour Party Manifesto.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite possibly the strangest book I've read in a long while!! Highly readable however.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put this in the beloved genre of “women’s divorce fiction.”
I was waiting for an Amy Dunne revenge moment to satisfy me but I had to settle for Charity’s version of a “cool girl” monologue at the end.
This book would’ve been five stars if it ended with her murdering Mark and getting away with it. 😌

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember the BBC did an adaptation of this back in the early 90s with Bill Nighy as the main male character shagging his way around various universities. Yes its got this veneer of intellectualism, but essentially its a good sex and fights and more sex type read. Jackie Collins with a few A levels thrown in. Perfect summer reading.

[Palma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great book, well written and stimulates your passionate side!

I'd want to read it again.

[E Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago and don't really remember too much about it

[Z.]

FAM I'M CRYING WHY DIDN'T I KNOW THIS EXISTED

[Emma Chaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the anticipatory agony of the lives of the poor folk in this book but the 21st July is NOT the summer solstice, that would be 21st JUNE! :)