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Adultery for Beginners
Isabel and Neil are old marrieds. Suburban old marrieds, at that. While the routine that's as comfortable as an old shoe seems to suit Neil just fine, Isabel--professional wife and mother and one the nicest women in the line at school pick-up--is restless. Tired of being just "Neil's wife" or "Michael's mommy", she takes a part-time job working for the disorganized but devastatingly attractive Patrick, only to find herself drawn to him. Despite telling herself to think of her husband and children, Isabel finds herself doing the unthinkable, and plunging into a world of conflicting loyalties, desires and responsibilities.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 31, 2011
Isobel is married to Neil they have 2 children Michael and Katie they
have just returned to England. Neil has settled in and the children are
settling into School, Isobel is bored and wants to find work. She soon
makes Friends and she gets an interview with Patrick Sherwin and after
an interview she has the job, as his Assistant, Neil doesn’t seem
impressed, he says it sounds dodgy as she is working at Patricks House.
When she starts to have feelings for Patrick does she take things
further? Justine is hiding something what could it be? And does it all
end in tears?
I had read all the Novels by this Author apart from this one, this was
her first novel, I loved it the story was very easy to follow, and I
couldn’t put it down another great book I would definitely recommend.
have just returned to England. Neil has settled in and the children are
settling into School, Isobel is bored and wants to find work. She soon
makes Friends and she gets an interview with Patrick Sherwin and after
an interview she has the job, as his Assistant, Neil doesn’t seem
impressed, he says it sounds dodgy as she is working at Patricks House.
When she starts to have feelings for Patrick does she take things
further? Justine is hiding something what could it be? And does it all
end in tears?
I had read all the Novels by this Author apart from this one, this was
her first novel, I loved it the story was very easy to follow, and I
couldn’t put it down another great book I would definitely recommend.
May 12, 2012
I don't know why it is that I like these domestic drama type books as much as I do, but I'm always a sucker for a good novel about a realistic relationship -- even one that ends in infidelity, right? And, that's definitely not a spoiler, given the title of this gem... obviously...
And speaking of titles, the title of this one *almost* stopped me from reading it. I mean, it seemed like it'd be another of those quirky, ironic type novels from the title -- or a bubble brained chick lit from the cover -- (and don't get me wrong, I do love a good bubbled brained chick lit! But, it needs to be when the mood strikes ... which isn't right now!). But, this is a surprisingly serious story -- and I wasn't even put off by the "british-ness" of it (you know, those Bridget Diary-esque phrases that us southern USA girls don't quite understand? You get the gist!)
So, starting with plot. Isabel and hubby Neil are your typical suburban married couple. She stays home with the kids while he wins the bread at his big shot job, but lately Isabel is feeling restless with always being seen as just a wife and mom. Undoubtedly, she loves her husband and adores her kids, but she feels there's surely more to life than submissively following Neil's orders and quietly moving from country to country with his job -- or so she hopes, at least.
At the least, Isabel decides that she'd like to get a job, and through new acquaintances at her children's new school, she lands a position as an office assistant for Patrick, a handsome, scatterbrained man who runs a business from his home and has quite the reputation as a shameless womanizer. But Isabel wouldn't fall for a pretty face and a few good compliments, right?
Soon, Isabel finds herself in a mess of difficult choices and conflicting loyalties. Would she really ever leave her husband and children? Can she be a good mother without being a good wife? Is the price for a little happiness more than she's willing to pay? And, can she ever really go back to that perfect little suburban existence again?
I think what I loved most about ADULTERY FOR BEGINNERS is that it felt real. Each character was flawed enough to be relateable but still interesting enough to keep the plot from feeling tired and boring -- like just another day in my boring (albeit unmarried) life.
However, my one complaint with this novel was the ending. As I've expressed before, I have a huge aversion to unrealistically happily-ever-after type plots -- and especially with some of the difficult decisions Isabel was forced to make throughout this story, I think I was expecting something a bit more open-ended to signify the unsettledness of the journey. Granted, yes, the ending *could* have been even more cheesy (and I'm glad the author didn't steer in that direction) but I expected Isabel to have learned a bit more from her circumstances...
Even so, I'd still recommend this novel to fans of domestic dramas a la Elizabeth Berg-ish style, or even fans of slightly more serious chick-lit. Despite the ending, I still enjoyed the overall story and I'm not disappointed that I randomly picked this one up at the library.
And speaking of titles, the title of this one *almost* stopped me from reading it. I mean, it seemed like it'd be another of those quirky, ironic type novels from the title -- or a bubble brained chick lit from the cover -- (and don't get me wrong, I do love a good bubbled brained chick lit! But, it needs to be when the mood strikes ... which isn't right now!). But, this is a surprisingly serious story -- and I wasn't even put off by the "british-ness" of it (you know, those Bridget Diary-esque phrases that us southern USA girls don't quite understand? You get the gist!)
So, starting with plot. Isabel and hubby Neil are your typical suburban married couple. She stays home with the kids while he wins the bread at his big shot job, but lately Isabel is feeling restless with always being seen as just a wife and mom. Undoubtedly, she loves her husband and adores her kids, but she feels there's surely more to life than submissively following Neil's orders and quietly moving from country to country with his job -- or so she hopes, at least.
At the least, Isabel decides that she'd like to get a job, and through new acquaintances at her children's new school, she lands a position as an office assistant for Patrick, a handsome, scatterbrained man who runs a business from his home and has quite the reputation as a shameless womanizer. But Isabel wouldn't fall for a pretty face and a few good compliments, right?
Soon, Isabel finds herself in a mess of difficult choices and conflicting loyalties. Would she really ever leave her husband and children? Can she be a good mother without being a good wife? Is the price for a little happiness more than she's willing to pay? And, can she ever really go back to that perfect little suburban existence again?
I think what I loved most about ADULTERY FOR BEGINNERS is that it felt real. Each character was flawed enough to be relateable but still interesting enough to keep the plot from feeling tired and boring -- like just another day in my boring (albeit unmarried) life.
However, my one complaint with this novel was the ending. As I've expressed before, I have a huge aversion to unrealistically happily-ever-after type plots -- and especially with some of the difficult decisions Isabel was forced to make throughout this story, I think I was expecting something a bit more open-ended to signify the unsettledness of the journey. Granted, yes, the ending *could* have been even more cheesy (and I'm glad the author didn't steer in that direction) but I expected Isabel to have learned a bit more from her circumstances...
Even so, I'd still recommend this novel to fans of domestic dramas a la Elizabeth Berg-ish style, or even fans of slightly more serious chick-lit. Despite the ending, I still enjoyed the overall story and I'm not disappointed that I randomly picked this one up at the library.
August 21, 2011
Originally checked out of the library to tease my husband and expecting typical chick lit, this turned out to be a really weird read. The twists at the end were wild and if not for the really obvious final thing - I would have given it more stars.
April 3, 2007
Predictable and mostly boring.
September 14, 2015
boring
July 3, 2022
Ex-pats Isabel and Neil Freeman have just moved back to England with their two children after years of living in other countries. While they appear to be a dedicated couple, Isabel feels the strain in their relationship. There's nothing wrong, as such, she's just bored, aware that she gave up so much so young to become a wife and mother.
When the opportunity to work for Patrick Sherwin comes along, Isabel forgets the lack of a professional business address and wage slips, instead receiving his flattering attentions. But Isabel quickly learns how messy affairs can be.
All these labels defining her with reference to someone else. Wife, mother. Now mistress. p144
The introspective nature of Isabel is what makes this book. It feels like a deep character study of womanhood and motherhood along with one's contradictory yearnings for liberty and security. As such, Isabel is a profoundly relatable and understandable character, exploring her desperate wish for more whilst still loving what she has.
It was as if she felt that her whole value as a woman was measured by her ability to produce a traditional Sunday roast. p59
It was a shame this same depth was not also given to Patrick. Whilst Neil and other side characters had progression and were given context, Patrick lacked clarity. It works for making the reader care and empathise with Isabel, but reduces the impact of his later actions.
The writing is strong, crafting well the characters' poignant deliberations with the light relief of humorous remarks. However, it does periodically feature a jarring metaphor and use terms (like 'rape) in a manner than opposes the scene's tone.
When the opportunity to work for Patrick Sherwin comes along, Isabel forgets the lack of a professional business address and wage slips, instead receiving his flattering attentions. But Isabel quickly learns how messy affairs can be.
All these labels defining her with reference to someone else. Wife, mother. Now mistress. p144
The introspective nature of Isabel is what makes this book. It feels like a deep character study of womanhood and motherhood along with one's contradictory yearnings for liberty and security. As such, Isabel is a profoundly relatable and understandable character, exploring her desperate wish for more whilst still loving what she has.
It was as if she felt that her whole value as a woman was measured by her ability to produce a traditional Sunday roast. p59
It was a shame this same depth was not also given to Patrick. Whilst Neil and other side characters had progression and were given context, Patrick lacked clarity. It works for making the reader care and empathise with Isabel, but reduces the impact of his later actions.
The writing is strong, crafting well the characters' poignant deliberations with the light relief of humorous remarks. However, it does periodically feature a jarring metaphor and use terms (like 'rape) in a manner than opposes the scene's tone.
February 2, 2025
I couldn't put this book down. I actually thought the book was going to end one way, but it ended up another way. What I appreciated about this book was how it described to you how I bet millions of relationships are: dull, boring, predictable, where you've completely lost sight of each other and just do what's routine. How boring is that?! Yet, in the boredom, there is security in the predictability.
To think of giving up what you've worked years to create with someone else, to pursue something that is passionate and fulfilling, at the expense of your children, seemed impossible to do. And Isabel has to consider that.
I honestly think that if she and Neil had no children, she would have left sooner. She mentions the children a lot, and it's what makes her make the tough decisions to straighten out her act. But it does make me wonder, if she had continued on, back into her life, it would have been a matter of time before someone else comes along.
The book took us through all the inner workings of Isabel's head while she was going through the affair and the aftermath.
I do think it would have been good to get more insight into the two men in her life. But then again, the book wasn't about them, per se. This was about Isabel figuring out what SHE wants. She was on a journey of self-discovery. It was a great read!
To think of giving up what you've worked years to create with someone else, to pursue something that is passionate and fulfilling, at the expense of your children, seemed impossible to do. And Isabel has to consider that.
I honestly think that if she and Neil had no children, she would have left sooner. She mentions the children a lot, and it's what makes her make the tough decisions to straighten out her act. But it does make me wonder, if she had continued on, back into her life, it would have been a matter of time before someone else comes along.
The book took us through all the inner workings of Isabel's head while she was going through the affair and the aftermath.
I do think it would have been good to get more insight into the two men in her life. But then again, the book wasn't about them, per se. This was about Isabel figuring out what SHE wants. She was on a journey of self-discovery. It was a great read!
June 17, 2023
I loved this book. The book does a good job of getting the readers attention while also slowly building to the juicy bits. I can’t believe the ending, in fact, I couldn’t believe the several plot twists. They were totally unexpected as I didn’t see the book taking such drastic turns. I thoroughly enjoyed them. I can see this book as something I’d pick up again when in a reading drought.
On a different note: I’m not sure if this book wants you to feel like adultery is good or bad… maybe a little bit of both?
On a different note: I’m not sure if this book wants you to feel like adultery is good or bad… maybe a little bit of both?
October 17, 2018
This book was both funny and a page turner. There was a great storyline which was relatable but some great twists, i dont want to give anything away because you have to read this! I think iv read this book about 10 times since i bought it, that is how much i enjoyed it. It will be one of the few books ibwill keep forever on my bookshelf.
July 31, 2018
Meh! It started off slow but then it picked up. It was pretty good for a bit but then the ending was flat. Not how it ended just the way it was presented to us. Not a total regret but would not recommend.
September 26, 2020
One of my favourite books. Read it a good 6 times
May 2, 2024
Começo do livro excelente, mas a história perde o fôlego e entra em clichê.
September 16, 2011
Jane Green (author of books like The Beach House and Promises to Keep) says Sarah Duncan’s novel Adultery for Beginners is “completely engrossing. Like having an affair with (thankfully) none of the guilt.” I find that endorsement sort of strange, really. Like we all dream about having affairs or something. Is there something titillating about them?
Duncan’s novel tells the story of Isabel and Neil. They’ve been married for a while, living the ex-pat life because of Neil’s job as an engineer and have only recently returned home to England with their children, Katie and Michael. Isabel has been a devoted wife and mother, but now that she’s back in England and her children are a little older, she’s decided that she wants to work, perhaps in an office, filing.
“Darling, it’s easy to see it’s years since you’ve been in an office. No one does filing anymore; it’s all on computer,” is her husband’s useful response to that notion.
But Isabel does get a break, through a casual conversation with another mother, and soon she finds herself working for Patrick, a gorgeous egomaniac who somehow manages to find Isabel devastatingly attractive even though Isabel herself feels rather frumpy.
The lesson here: all affairs end badly. Yes, in the beginning, it’s all exciting and sexy but Isabel is not unattached. She has responsibilities which soon get short shrift as she spends her afternoons having wild sex with Patrick. It doesn’t take Isabel very long to figure out that in order to have what she thinks she wants, she’s going to have to give up everything she already has. It’s certainly not a new dilemma, but Duncan does a good job of making Isabel sympathetic, especially to readers of a certain age.
And Neil, as it turns out, is not the man scorned and that opens up a whole other set of problems. If I have one niggle about the book it’s that the suffering and recriminations – when it comes – isn’t really realistic. And Isabel, for all her hard-won freedom as she works out her issues and takes the steps necessary to find the woman she left behind in order to be a wife and mother, falls rather too quickly, if not exactly into the arms of another man, into a man-like safety net. That said, Adultery for Beginners is entertaining and well-written.
Duncan’s novel tells the story of Isabel and Neil. They’ve been married for a while, living the ex-pat life because of Neil’s job as an engineer and have only recently returned home to England with their children, Katie and Michael. Isabel has been a devoted wife and mother, but now that she’s back in England and her children are a little older, she’s decided that she wants to work, perhaps in an office, filing.
“Darling, it’s easy to see it’s years since you’ve been in an office. No one does filing anymore; it’s all on computer,” is her husband’s useful response to that notion.
But Isabel does get a break, through a casual conversation with another mother, and soon she finds herself working for Patrick, a gorgeous egomaniac who somehow manages to find Isabel devastatingly attractive even though Isabel herself feels rather frumpy.
The lesson here: all affairs end badly. Yes, in the beginning, it’s all exciting and sexy but Isabel is not unattached. She has responsibilities which soon get short shrift as she spends her afternoons having wild sex with Patrick. It doesn’t take Isabel very long to figure out that in order to have what she thinks she wants, she’s going to have to give up everything she already has. It’s certainly not a new dilemma, but Duncan does a good job of making Isabel sympathetic, especially to readers of a certain age.
And Neil, as it turns out, is not the man scorned and that opens up a whole other set of problems. If I have one niggle about the book it’s that the suffering and recriminations – when it comes – isn’t really realistic. And Isabel, for all her hard-won freedom as she works out her issues and takes the steps necessary to find the woman she left behind in order to be a wife and mother, falls rather too quickly, if not exactly into the arms of another man, into a man-like safety net. That said, Adultery for Beginners is entertaining and well-written.
February 21, 2017
A good read. Started out light and fluffy but got deeper and more complicated. People are often not what they seem.
July 6, 2016
Isabel and Neil are old marrieds. Suburban old marrieds, at that. While the routine that's as comfortable as an old shoe seems to suit Neil just fine, Isabel--professional wife and mother and one the nicest women in the line at school pick-up--is restless. Tired of being just "Neil's wife" or "Michael's mommy", she takes a part-time job working for the disorganized but devastatingly attractive Patrick, only to find herself drawn to him. Despite telling herself to think of her husband and children, Isabel finds herself doing the unthinkable, and plunging into a world of conflicting loyalties, desires and responsibilities.
Isabel and Neil have been married forever, constantly moving from one place to another. Finally settled at a small country side, the housewife gets herself a part time job, rebuilding an office..one affair later, she regrets it and bam, secrets come out.
January 4, 2015
Adultério para principiantes é um romance engraçado para ler naqueles dias em que não nos apetece pensar muito. Tal como o nome pode "indicar" este é um livro para o público feminino.
Temos um casal que regressa ao seu país após vários anos a trabalhar no estrangeiro. Isabel cujos dias eram passados entre tratar da casa e levar os filhos à escola sente falta de algo mais e procura trabalho.
Uma vida aborrecida e um casamento sem calor onde o sexo era parte da rotina levam-na a descobrir a sensualidade e um amor próprio que tinha perdido há muitos anos.
É um romance leve e de leitura rápida e em defesa dela: o marido estava a pedir um par deles :p
http://folhaembranco.blogs.sapo.pt/ad...
Temos um casal que regressa ao seu país após vários anos a trabalhar no estrangeiro. Isabel cujos dias eram passados entre tratar da casa e levar os filhos à escola sente falta de algo mais e procura trabalho.
Uma vida aborrecida e um casamento sem calor onde o sexo era parte da rotina levam-na a descobrir a sensualidade e um amor próprio que tinha perdido há muitos anos.
É um romance leve e de leitura rápida e em defesa dela: o marido estava a pedir um par deles :p
http://folhaembranco.blogs.sapo.pt/ad...
March 4, 2015
No estoy de acuerdo con la infidelidad ni el divorcio pero este matrimonio tenia que acabarse, ¡pobre Isabel!
A Patrick su jefe-amante, no lo entendí. No se si de verdad se vio atraído por Isabel, su físico o su carácter y sin embargo, sirvió para Isabel tuviera alguito de vida en su vida. Madre y esposa, se dejo llevar por la rutina y le cedió el poder a su marido (igual se caso muy joven) llegando al punto en que todo en su vida resultaba insulso.
Y ese as bajo la manga de la autora, yo no me imagine eso de Neil, no se porque, pero todo cuadra.
Lo bueno es que al final la vida de Isabel se encausa.
A Patrick su jefe-amante, no lo entendí. No se si de verdad se vio atraído por Isabel, su físico o su carácter y sin embargo, sirvió para Isabel tuviera alguito de vida en su vida. Madre y esposa, se dejo llevar por la rutina y le cedió el poder a su marido (igual se caso muy joven) llegando al punto en que todo en su vida resultaba insulso.
Y ese as bajo la manga de la autora, yo no me imagine eso de Neil, no se porque, pero todo cuadra.
Lo bueno es que al final la vida de Isabel se encausa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2008
The writing in this book was excellent but I couldn't empathise with the characters so the read wasn't as fulfilling as I'd hoped it would be.
November 15, 2009
A great book to read in a plane!!
May 20, 2011
I really wanted to like this book, I just couldn't get myself to care about the story or the any of the characters.
July 31, 2011
Ok i suppose but extremely predictable throughout. Well defined characters though for a book like this.
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October 1, 2016I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure when I started but could empathise with the main character and see how she made the decisions she did. I will read other books by this author.
August 15, 2008
The experience of an affair without the actual affair.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews