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The Affair #1
The Affair
After eighteen years of marriage, Kathy Walker has settled into a pattern of comfortable routines--ferrying her two teenagers between soccer practice and piano lessons, running a film production business with her husband, Robert, and taking care of the beautiful Boston home they share. Then one day, Kathy discovers a suspicious number on her husband's phone. Six years before, Kathy accused Robert of infidelity--a charge he vehemently denied--and almost destroyed their marriage in the process.
Now Kathy must decide whether to follow her suspicions at the risk of losing everything, or trust the man with whom she's entwined her past, present, and future. As she grapples with that choice, she is confronted with surprising truths not just about her relationship, but about her friends, family, and her own motivations.
Skillfully crafted and deeply insightful, The Affair sensitively explores the complexities of love and the challenge of ever knowing another person fully, even as we endeavor to understand our own deepest longings.
Now Kathy must decide whether to follow her suspicions at the risk of losing everything, or trust the man with whom she's entwined her past, present, and future. As she grapples with that choice, she is confronted with surprising truths not just about her relationship, but about her friends, family, and her own motivations.
Skillfully crafted and deeply insightful, The Affair sensitively explores the complexities of love and the challenge of ever knowing another person fully, even as we endeavor to understand our own deepest longings.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
114 people are currently reading
2362 people want to read
About the author
Colette Freedman
13 books147 followersCOLETTE FREEDMAN COLETTE FREEDMAN- An internationally produced playwright with over 25 produced plays, Colette was voted “One of 50 to Watch” by The Dramatist’s Guild. Her hit musical Serial Killer Barbie played to sold out shows in 2015 in both Los Angeles and New Zealand.
Her play Sister Cities was the hit of the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe and earned five star reviews: It has been produced around the country and internationally, fifteen times including Paris (Une Ville, Une Soeur), Rome (Le Quattro Sorelle) and Australia. It is next up in Chicago August 2016. She wrote the film which is currently in post-production and stars Jacki Weaver, Alfred Molina, Jess Weixler, Stana Katic, Michelle Trachtenberg, Amy Smart, Troian Bellisario, Tom Everett Scott and Kathy Baker.
She has co-written, with International bestselling novelist Jackie Collins, the play Jackie Collins Hollywood Lies, which is gearing up for a National Tour.
In collaboration with The New York Times best selling author Michael Scott, she wrote the thriller The Thirteen Hallows (Tor/Macmillan).
Her novel The Affair (Kensington) came out January 29, 2013. The play of the novel earned both critical and commercial success as it toured Italy February through May 2013. Her sequel novel The Consequences (Kensington) came out January 28, 2014.
Her YA novel Anomalies (Select Books) came out February 9, 2016.
She also co-wrote the film And Then There Was Eve which is currently in pre-production and begins principal photography May 2016.
Her play Sister Cities was the hit of the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe and earned five star reviews: It has been produced around the country and internationally, fifteen times including Paris (Une Ville, Une Soeur), Rome (Le Quattro Sorelle) and Australia. It is next up in Chicago August 2016. She wrote the film which is currently in post-production and stars Jacki Weaver, Alfred Molina, Jess Weixler, Stana Katic, Michelle Trachtenberg, Amy Smart, Troian Bellisario, Tom Everett Scott and Kathy Baker.
She has co-written, with International bestselling novelist Jackie Collins, the play Jackie Collins Hollywood Lies, which is gearing up for a National Tour.
In collaboration with The New York Times best selling author Michael Scott, she wrote the thriller The Thirteen Hallows (Tor/Macmillan).
Her novel The Affair (Kensington) came out January 29, 2013. The play of the novel earned both critical and commercial success as it toured Italy February through May 2013. Her sequel novel The Consequences (Kensington) came out January 28, 2014.
Her YA novel Anomalies (Select Books) came out February 9, 2016.
She also co-wrote the film And Then There Was Eve which is currently in pre-production and begins principal photography May 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
February 12, 2015
I can't believe I'm rating this five stars. It's a book about an affair! But I could not put it down. Broken into three parts, this book revisits many of the same situations and dialogs from the perspectives of the three main people affected by the affair: the wife, the husband, and the other woman.
I knew I would empathize with the wife. I'm married, and I've been cheated on in a long-term relationship (though not a marriage, thank goodness). What I didn't expect was how grueling it would be to read the wife's portion. It brought back a lot of emotions I'd long forgotten, and it was truly gut-wrenching at times. Freedman very accurately and excruciatingly depicted the gamut of emotions the wife ran through from first suspicion to confirmation.
After that, what I really didn't expect was to empathize with the husband. How could I? Cheaty McCheaterson and all. But I did. Once I saw his point of view, I felt for him the way I had for his wife. Sure he messed up, but she had too. It takes two to tango, but it also takes two to sit the dance out.
Here's where Freedman earns the fifth and final star though: I empathized with the other woman.. You know, the scumbug that breaks up a marriage and family? That woman? Yeah, I felt for her. She was just looking for happiness too.
This book was a really great reminder that most people don't set out to do bad things, and most people don't set out to hurt other people. Instead it's a combination of small, bad decisions that can lead to major heartbreak. Instead of a husband making a decision to cheat on his wife, breaking her heart and ruining his family, it starts with being lonely, and finding someone who thinks you're fun and funny. Instead of a wife being a bitter nag, it starts with someone feeling overworked and undervalued, and things spinning out of control.
Like I said, I couldn't put it down, and I can see this being a title worth revisiting when I need that reminder that we are all human, and big mistakes usually come from smaller ones first.
**I received a free copy of this book for review via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
I knew I would empathize with the wife. I'm married, and I've been cheated on in a long-term relationship (though not a marriage, thank goodness). What I didn't expect was how grueling it would be to read the wife's portion. It brought back a lot of emotions I'd long forgotten, and it was truly gut-wrenching at times. Freedman very accurately and excruciatingly depicted the gamut of emotions the wife ran through from first suspicion to confirmation.
After that, what I really didn't expect was to empathize with the husband. How could I? Cheaty McCheaterson and all. But I did. Once I saw his point of view, I felt for him the way I had for his wife. Sure he messed up, but she had too. It takes two to tango, but it also takes two to sit the dance out.
Here's where Freedman earns the fifth and final star though: I empathized with the other woman.. You know, the scumbug that breaks up a marriage and family? That woman? Yeah, I felt for her. She was just looking for happiness too.
This book was a really great reminder that most people don't set out to do bad things, and most people don't set out to hurt other people. Instead it's a combination of small, bad decisions that can lead to major heartbreak. Instead of a husband making a decision to cheat on his wife, breaking her heart and ruining his family, it starts with being lonely, and finding someone who thinks you're fun and funny. Instead of a wife being a bitter nag, it starts with someone feeling overworked and undervalued, and things spinning out of control.
Like I said, I couldn't put it down, and I can see this being a title worth revisiting when I need that reminder that we are all human, and big mistakes usually come from smaller ones first.
**I received a free copy of this book for review via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
July 27, 2025
“Everything has a cost; you just have to be prepared to pay the price.”
― Colette Freedman, The Affair
This is indeed a story of an affair, told from three viewpoints. The husband's, the wive's and the other woman's. So you get the story from multiple viewpoints. In this book, as in reality, each person's perceptions differ in many ways.
I actually somewhat liked this and did not think I would. It was a fast read..and not all that heavy despite the subject matter. The main issue for not rating higher is:
spoilers:
I could not stand any of the three characters. The mistress, Stephanie , I could not stand. She was just so superficial. I did not love the whole "Groundhog Day" aspect which has been done to death but to the writer's credit it does work in this story and I did somewhat enjoy the book.
I Did not, however, believe the ending AT ALL. It did not jive with any of the characters actions up until that point. This is far from my favorite read But it was an interesting book.
― Colette Freedman, The Affair
This is indeed a story of an affair, told from three viewpoints. The husband's, the wive's and the other woman's. So you get the story from multiple viewpoints. In this book, as in reality, each person's perceptions differ in many ways.
I actually somewhat liked this and did not think I would. It was a fast read..and not all that heavy despite the subject matter. The main issue for not rating higher is:
spoilers:
I could not stand any of the three characters. The mistress, Stephanie , I could not stand. She was just so superficial. I did not love the whole "Groundhog Day" aspect which has been done to death but to the writer's credit it does work in this story and I did somewhat enjoy the book.
I Did not, however, believe the ending AT ALL. It did not jive with any of the characters actions up until that point. This is far from my favorite read But it was an interesting book.
November 29, 2015
I honestly could not tell you how I ended up reading this book. I think it was one of those "if you liked this, try this" sort of bad recommendation algorithms on some website or another. Maybe even a bad list. Anyway, I know I was looking for something simple and brainless and easy to read while half-asleep from turkey and talkative relatives over Thanksgiving. In that state of mind, I somehow wound up purchasing this.
And you know what, sure. It was bad. There was so much about it that was bad, wrong, poorly done, just nothing at all what actual people in this situation would do ever. I thought "yup, because that's how THAT works" sarcastically enough times that it actually started to wake me up again after Thanksgiving dinner, which is quite a feat.
But I'd feel bad sitting here and writing a review bashing this book. I never should have been reading this- it's not meant for me in the slightest. It's like walking into your mother's closet and somehow expecting that you were going to find something relevant to 2015. Like, if you turn on the Hallmark channel and actually sit there and consciously choose to watch something, you know what you're going to get, right? You're signing up for that- don't make fun of your perfectly nice, well-meaning, forty-or-fifty-something mother who cooks for bake sales and buys sweaters that you would never wear. This book is for a woman thirty years older than me, from a very different place (who has never probably left it) and is so adorably naive that you want to kind of hug her. And she's right, after all. Just like every other story on the Hallmark channel is right. It does suck to lose your husband. Kids and chores and other stuff does pile up so you don't have intimacy with your partner anymore. Those things are life-shattering. And no matter how out of touch and irrelevant and unrealistic that I find this particular rendering of it, it is also recognizable. I recognize that this is probably very affecting for a lot of readers out there who will find this to be emotionally truthful to their experience and/or what they think that life is.
And that's okay. I won't even give it one star. That would feel too mean. I would feel like I would be kicking this book's puppy or something. I'm sure it's a perfectly nice book for some people who are perfectly nice.
The lesson here is to never buy off your kindle while drunk on too much turkey, kids.
And you know what, sure. It was bad. There was so much about it that was bad, wrong, poorly done, just nothing at all what actual people in this situation would do ever. I thought "yup, because that's how THAT works" sarcastically enough times that it actually started to wake me up again after Thanksgiving dinner, which is quite a feat.
But I'd feel bad sitting here and writing a review bashing this book. I never should have been reading this- it's not meant for me in the slightest. It's like walking into your mother's closet and somehow expecting that you were going to find something relevant to 2015. Like, if you turn on the Hallmark channel and actually sit there and consciously choose to watch something, you know what you're going to get, right? You're signing up for that- don't make fun of your perfectly nice, well-meaning, forty-or-fifty-something mother who cooks for bake sales and buys sweaters that you would never wear. This book is for a woman thirty years older than me, from a very different place (who has never probably left it) and is so adorably naive that you want to kind of hug her. And she's right, after all. Just like every other story on the Hallmark channel is right. It does suck to lose your husband. Kids and chores and other stuff does pile up so you don't have intimacy with your partner anymore. Those things are life-shattering. And no matter how out of touch and irrelevant and unrealistic that I find this particular rendering of it, it is also recognizable. I recognize that this is probably very affecting for a lot of readers out there who will find this to be emotionally truthful to their experience and/or what they think that life is.
And that's okay. I won't even give it one star. That would feel too mean. I would feel like I would be kicking this book's puppy or something. I'm sure it's a perfectly nice book for some people who are perfectly nice.
The lesson here is to never buy off your kindle while drunk on too much turkey, kids.
February 13, 2013
You know how sometimes you just keep reading a book, expecting it to get better, and it doesn't, and by the time you've finished it you feel stupid for wasting your time finishing it when there are so many other good books to read? Yeah. That's how this book made me feel. The characters were stereotypes, the dialogue was stilted and trite and a decent premise -- telling the story of an affair from the perspectives of all three of the people involved -- was completely squandered. Do not waste your time. Read something good instead.
March 24, 2013
A story of an affair from the voices of the wife, husband, and the mistress. It covers 6 days from each prospective. Interesting idea. In those 6 days, the reader learns how a marriage can fall apart through miscommunication, stressful work, and the tediousness of domestic life. Freedman makes each person a sympathetic character (although I had difficulty being sympathetic towards the husband). The book is revealing on how easy it is to take a partner for granted and how easy it is to let your marriage fall apart.
January 3, 2013
This was an interesting story that sucked me in from the beginning, even though the characters are much older than those in my normal read. As its name states, it’s about an alleged affair. The story is uniquely told in three points of view giving the perspective of the wife, the husband, and the alleged mistress. With each change in the point of view I found myself understanding and sympathizing with the character telling their side of the story. The author did a great job with the characters. They were all relatable and likeable which is strange considering what the book is about. I also really liked that each character’s perception of one of the other characters was so different from how that character saw his or herself. This made it seem more real to me.
There were only a couple negatives to this book. One being the very thing I liked about it: the three perspectives. The three different parts basically told about the same events just in another characters perspective which sometimes made for some boring passages due to the repetitiveness. I also thought that the ending was a little quick (but exciting). The third thing would be an unanswered question I have. During an argument Stephenie said that her period was late. Did she get her period?! If not, that would make for an interesting sequel.
This book really makes you think of the meaning of marriage and does a wonderful job of showing how easily it is to drift away from the one you love.
Overall, good read and I would definitely recommend picking up a copy.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Affair-Cole...
There were only a couple negatives to this book. One being the very thing I liked about it: the three perspectives. The three different parts basically told about the same events just in another characters perspective which sometimes made for some boring passages due to the repetitiveness. I also thought that the ending was a little quick (but exciting). The third thing would be an unanswered question I have. During an argument Stephenie said that her period was late. Did she get her period?! If not, that would make for an interesting sequel.
This book really makes you think of the meaning of marriage and does a wonderful job of showing how easily it is to drift away from the one you love.
Overall, good read and I would definitely recommend picking up a copy.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Affair-Cole...
March 27, 2013
Meh...this has 3 sections, The Wife's Story, The Husbands Story, and The Mistress''s Story. They often repeat and overlap in conversations, with emphasis on whomever seems to be ' in the right' at the time. I enjoyed the wife's story but half way through the husband's story it became a little tedious to go over the same conversations again, without learning anything but a few new minor details. By the time the Mistress''s story arrived I was like," hurry up and get it over with already!"
This is obviously a marriage that has fallen into a rut, and the couple is barely going through the motions. Kathy loves her husband, but resents him on some level or another, because he spends ( read wastes) time, after his job ends entertaining clients, and isn't home to participate in family time with his teens. Robert, on the other hand, is terrified of getting old, because in the business, " you don't get jobs if they think you are their grandfather". So he colors his hair, tans, whitens his teeth, and spends hours at the gym. So when an old flame Stephanie, shows an interest in him, he falls for her, putting a stressor on his life, and his marriage. Not my usual faire
But an interesting look inside a marriage that needs repair.
This is obviously a marriage that has fallen into a rut, and the couple is barely going through the motions. Kathy loves her husband, but resents him on some level or another, because he spends ( read wastes) time, after his job ends entertaining clients, and isn't home to participate in family time with his teens. Robert, on the other hand, is terrified of getting old, because in the business, " you don't get jobs if they think you are their grandfather". So he colors his hair, tans, whitens his teeth, and spends hours at the gym. So when an old flame Stephanie, shows an interest in him, he falls for her, putting a stressor on his life, and his marriage. Not my usual faire
But an interesting look inside a marriage that needs repair.
July 5, 2017
cheater
January 29, 2013
A riveting story about an affair, what caused it and the effects it has on the parties involved.
This is not a story about love, nor is it a story about commitment. This story is about real life and how it can come between a husband and a wife. The author, Colette Freedman, does a wonderful job of presenting the story from the point of view of the people affected by the story - the wife, the husband and the mistress.
From the start I related to Kathy. Her life and circumstances, similar to that of many married women, drew me into the story. Her feelings and her thoughts were brought to the page in a way that made it easy for me to relate to her and to feel her confusion and desolation. Her point of view was realistic, although she was angry and upset, she accepted her part in the current state of her marriage. She acknowledge that she placed her attention solely on the house, the kids and the day-to-day life of a stay-at-home mom neglecting her role as a wife. I appreciated that the author brought all this to the surface, otherwise the story would have lost its appeal to me.
When Robert told his part of the story, I was already siding with Kathy. Through his hesitation, doubts and heartfelt musings, I saw the other side of the story. I could understand where he was coming from, but I could not sympathize fully. He displayed some questionable behavior in terms of laying the blame, often assuming what Kathy was thinking or feeling. In the end, I think he understood what a fool he'd been and that it really was more a lack of communication than a lack of love that tore his marriage apart. I enjoyed his voice and the way that the author brought his hesitations and justifications to the page. His conflicting thoughts about his affair served to make him feel more real to me and connected to him in a way that made me understand him better.
Stephanie. Well, not my favorite character by any means. She may not have been at fault in Kathy and Robert drifting apart, but she certainly did not help. Her point of view only helped in making me dislike her even more. The reasons she used to justify starting the relationship in the first place were absurd. She came across as selfish and demanding when she knew what she was getting into from the start. I didn't see her as Robert saw her - supportive and understanding of his career and devoted to him, especially there at the end when she made it clear to me that she saw him as someone below her professional stature.
The writing was very good, even if in the final confrontation the points of view overlapped and I was confused as to who was saying what. The main characters were complex and interesting to get to know and the insight into their conflicting thoughts added to the overall story. From hesitation and doubt to loyalty and desolation, the scope of emotions brought to the page were overwhelming and realistic.
This book managed to touch me deeply and gave me insights into a situation many married couples struggle with - drifting apart, its cause and effects. It opened my eyes and made me realize how lack of communication can lead to the death of a marriage.
I received this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
This is not a story about love, nor is it a story about commitment. This story is about real life and how it can come between a husband and a wife. The author, Colette Freedman, does a wonderful job of presenting the story from the point of view of the people affected by the story - the wife, the husband and the mistress.
From the start I related to Kathy. Her life and circumstances, similar to that of many married women, drew me into the story. Her feelings and her thoughts were brought to the page in a way that made it easy for me to relate to her and to feel her confusion and desolation. Her point of view was realistic, although she was angry and upset, she accepted her part in the current state of her marriage. She acknowledge that she placed her attention solely on the house, the kids and the day-to-day life of a stay-at-home mom neglecting her role as a wife. I appreciated that the author brought all this to the surface, otherwise the story would have lost its appeal to me.
When Robert told his part of the story, I was already siding with Kathy. Through his hesitation, doubts and heartfelt musings, I saw the other side of the story. I could understand where he was coming from, but I could not sympathize fully. He displayed some questionable behavior in terms of laying the blame, often assuming what Kathy was thinking or feeling. In the end, I think he understood what a fool he'd been and that it really was more a lack of communication than a lack of love that tore his marriage apart. I enjoyed his voice and the way that the author brought his hesitations and justifications to the page. His conflicting thoughts about his affair served to make him feel more real to me and connected to him in a way that made me understand him better.
Stephanie. Well, not my favorite character by any means. She may not have been at fault in Kathy and Robert drifting apart, but she certainly did not help. Her point of view only helped in making me dislike her even more. The reasons she used to justify starting the relationship in the first place were absurd. She came across as selfish and demanding when she knew what she was getting into from the start. I didn't see her as Robert saw her - supportive and understanding of his career and devoted to him, especially there at the end when she made it clear to me that she saw him as someone below her professional stature.
The writing was very good, even if in the final confrontation the points of view overlapped and I was confused as to who was saying what. The main characters were complex and interesting to get to know and the insight into their conflicting thoughts added to the overall story. From hesitation and doubt to loyalty and desolation, the scope of emotions brought to the page were overwhelming and realistic.
This book managed to touch me deeply and gave me insights into a situation many married couples struggle with - drifting apart, its cause and effects. It opened my eyes and made me realize how lack of communication can lead to the death of a marriage.
I received this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
February 3, 2013
This is a riveting account of an affair told from the three perspectives of the husband, wife and mistress. The writing is very strong, immediately drawing the audience into each of the character's mindsets. I particularly liked Jimmy Moran and his mentor/father like relationship with Robert. He is a funny character who jumped off the page and gave the audience a peek into Robert's own future if he doesn't change his ways. I also enjoyed Maureen's sass and Rose's earnest accounts of her philandering Tommy. The main characters were wonderful, but it was the supporting characters who really made the book worthy of five stars. Strongly recommend. Would make a great film as well. Hope you all read it!
January 13, 2013
This is an interesting look at cheating, from all three sides involved. Told in three parts, one focusing on each person, this one felt a little too redudant for me, especially by the third section, replaying the same few days over and over. By that point, I really didn't care at all about the mistress at all, and most of my loyalty was with Kate, the wife who's husband has been cheating on her. Still, this one did a great job of capturing the confusion that comes on all three sides, and while Robert is certainly not excused for his actions, Freedman has written things in a way that I got his side. What I appreciate the most, though, is how there really is a confrontation in this one, where wife meets mistress, and while I didn't totally like how everything played out in the end, and things felt a little too quickly wrapped up, things still built in a really good way. Freedman does a great job of making you like somewhat unlikeable characters, and the writing has a solidness to it that pulls you in without distracting you. Overall, this is a book that will make you think, tug your emotions, but will also leave you antsy towards the end of it for it to just be over due to the style.
February 26, 2013
Interestingly done chicklit. I liked that the same story was told from the perspective of the husband, the wife and the mistress. I really liked the realistic take on divorce. In so many chicklit books the woman gets divorced has all this trauma and then ends up fabulously happy, seemingly independently wealthy with a career and life she loves. The reality is that divorce is a financial catastrophe for countless women and their children and knowing that, many women won't put themselves or their children through it. I did find the husband a profoundly weak, self absorbed, unlikable character and can't understand how either woman would want him...(I sort of thought it would be funny if in the pivotal scene they argued over who had to take him - the wife or the mistress rather than over who got to keep him...maybe that is just my warped sense of humor)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2013
I found parts of this book so uncomfortably honest that it was equally hard to read and put down. The author goes straight for the jugular, exposing the bare bones of an affair; yet, she does it in a cleverly nuanced way. By sharing the same set of events with different perspectives, she introduces a unique form of story telling. Like RUN LOLA RUN almost. I found myself sympathizing with all three characters and even though I was furious with the husband, I found myself feeling sorry for him and understanding his actions. Then, I got to the book club questions in the back and I want to start a book club just to hear a bunch of readers discussing them. Freedman's questions cut straight to the chase and it's both terrifying and enlightening to honestly answer them.
February 13, 2013
I'm a thirty-something guy and my fiancé begged me to read this book. I shouldn't say "begged," but "strongly recommended." My resistance was due to my obvious fear I wouldn't relate to it in quite the way she did. Well, as usual she was right and I was wrong. This is going to be the cornerstone of our marriage and probably the recipe for its hopeful success. That and sharing great reads like "The Affair." It's just so well done that I admired the humor and the plotting greatly. Did it make me cry? I'm not telling. Read it for yourself and say that Mike recommended it.
August 23, 2013
I have no idea where I heard about this one. A magazine I read on the airplane? It is so obviously fluffy -- I must have requested it at the beginning of the summer when I was imagining lemonade and time at the beach.
And indeed, I read this in 24 hours, mostly in the sunshine. The story is broken into different parts, each retelling the same scenes from the perspectives of a wife, her husband, and the husband's mistress.
And as I was reading, I kept thinking that I would give this book three stars on Goodreads. I always struggle with the star rating system. Sometimes I give 3 stars to a book because it's a solid read and I enjoyed it enough. Sometimes I give 3 stars because I enjoyed it a lot, but it's too light and silly to give more than that. Sometimes I give 3 stars because I'm disappointed. In this case, I was thinking 3 stars for a solid, light, uncomplicated read. The writing sometimes verged into romance genre territory, but not to the point where I was unhappy.
But then came the ending. The ending! It was just so terrible. I can't get over it. I have to take away a star. Rats.
And indeed, I read this in 24 hours, mostly in the sunshine. The story is broken into different parts, each retelling the same scenes from the perspectives of a wife, her husband, and the husband's mistress.
And as I was reading, I kept thinking that I would give this book three stars on Goodreads. I always struggle with the star rating system. Sometimes I give 3 stars to a book because it's a solid read and I enjoyed it enough. Sometimes I give 3 stars because I enjoyed it a lot, but it's too light and silly to give more than that. Sometimes I give 3 stars because I'm disappointed. In this case, I was thinking 3 stars for a solid, light, uncomplicated read. The writing sometimes verged into romance genre territory, but not to the point where I was unhappy.
But then came the ending. The ending! It was just so terrible. I can't get over it. I have to take away a star. Rats.
September 24, 2012
Beautifully constructed story about three people caught in an affair: the husband, the wife, and the mistress. The book is divided into three parts: each told from the perspective of one of the characters. .
Colette Freedman shows off her playwright chops with this modern take on an age old predicament. Because we get to see the perspective of each of the characters in turn, it is impossible not to sympathize with them. But like a good playwright, Ms. Freedman saves her best confrontation for the end of her novel when the three finally meet up at the mistress' apartment. I came away liking the women involved more than the man, but I was impressed at how well she caught the complex (and often ) mixed emotions as each comes to understand the perspective of the others.
It's a good read, and hard to put down once you've started
Colette Freedman shows off her playwright chops with this modern take on an age old predicament. Because we get to see the perspective of each of the characters in turn, it is impossible not to sympathize with them. But like a good playwright, Ms. Freedman saves her best confrontation for the end of her novel when the three finally meet up at the mistress' apartment. I came away liking the women involved more than the man, but I was impressed at how well she caught the complex (and often ) mixed emotions as each comes to understand the perspective of the others.
It's a good read, and hard to put down once you've started
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2013
Rarely have I come across a book that delivers three sides to the same story with such honesty, truth and depth. It sounds kind of cheesy writing it like that, but I am tellng you, this book is sooooooo great, you MUST read it if you have ever been or plan to ever be in any sort of relationship with another human being - it explores so much of our humanity - and not in an annoying, trudging your way through emotional BS kind of way - it is so entertaining and beautiful and funny and tragic and full of love. I seriously couldn't put it down. You will love it. Anyone would love it - my grandmother, my dad, my sister - I have recommended it to everyone I know. This author consistently comes through with great writing and a perspective that sheds light on things I had never thought of. Amazing. Read it.
February 19, 2013
I loved this book. It chronicles the discovery of an affair from the point of view of the wife, the husband, and the mistress, circling back to review and dissect the brief but life changing moments from each of their markedly different perspectives. So insightful and rings so true, the writing is poetic and on point, the situations uncomfortable and honest, the revelations at once frightening and comforting. And I love how each moment is made more meaningful through the repeating. Just a remarkable piece of writing that I couldn't put down. READ THIS!
January 29, 2013
4.5 stars. Why do people cheat on their partners? Who is at fault? Can a marriage recover from such an intimate betrayal? These are just a few of the questions raised in Colette Freedman’s newest release, The Affair. It is a fascinating and riveting novel about the devastating repercussions of infidelity. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety.
February 19, 2013
By the time I finished this book, my arms were sore from gripping it so tightly -- I was so sucked in by the storyline (and the suspense) that I couldn't put it down! It is a MUST READ. Colette Freedman's writing style is beautifully visual. With each chapter, she transports the reader; you can nearly smell, taste, see, and feel the scenes as they unfold. What an incredible book! Buy it buy it buy it - then sit back, relax, and enjoy The Affair. This is one that you won't regret.
February 1, 2013
Just stayed up until 2:00 in the morning to finish Colette Freedman's "The Affair." Beautifully compassionate look at an affair from the perspective of each of the three people involved in it. Great book club discussion questions at the end too. Highly recommend.
January 7, 2021
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the story told in 3 parts, the wife, the husband and the mistress. They was some repetitiveness but not some much I got bored. I’m reading the second one now The Consequences.
December 1, 2013
I will be sooooo pissed if Robert leave Kathy and goes to Stephanie in the sequel. Stephanie isn't worth breaking up his marriage - anyone who would enter into a relationship with a MARRIED person is just like the adulterer themselves: a waste of good, clean air! In love with two people? Tough crappola! You already committed yourself to one person and brought life into the world with them: keep your pants zipped, jerkwad! I feel sorry of the innocent child Stephanie is SELFISHLY bringing into this, just as I feel sorry for the kids already involved - and the poor betrayed wife. No matter Kathy's faults, she didn't deserve to be treated like this. Stephanie needs to be ashamed of herself and bugger off to some foreign land forever - and Robert needs to be castrated. I don't give a flying you-know-what about the lies, believing them himself of not, that Robert told: Stephanie isn't worth an ounce of sympathy, nor does she deserve to get the man in the end or have a happy-go-lucky life with him and the child she created out of this mess she helped create. She needs to disappear and leave Kathy's husband alone! And Robert needs to have a solid smack of reality to see how wrong he is and how not-so-perfect - and truly deluded, manipulative, conniving, etc., etc. - his precious Other Woman is! Yes - I hate, hate, HATE adultery!! LOL
February 8, 2013
This is a fascinating novel which gives equal substance to each of the three parties involved in an affair: The husband, the wife and the mistress. Each perspective is shared in a masterfully written style, as the characters seem to jump off of the page, demanding that the reader empathizes with them. By the end of the third section, author Colette Freedman proves that it is possible to love two people at once and her book club questions ask some hard and thought provoking questions. The supporting characters add a wonderful layer of humor into a story which is so painfully honest it is sure to resonate with most people who have experienced betrayal in their life. My favorite character was Maureen, a sixty something secretary who has seen it all and done it all and parcels out her bits of wisdom with dry humor and wry wit. A must read.
February 22, 2013
Loved this book. As a male from Boston, I both liked and hated Robert. Freedman did a terrific job allowing the audience to empathize with each of her characters. Backdrop of Boston added a great flavor to the thought provoking story. . The writing is strong, the voice is fresh and the dialogue; albeit stylistically repetitive, is honest and engaging. I particularly liked Jimmy Moran and his paternal relationship to Robert. As a reader, you can sees the potential parallels in their complicated lives. I strongly recommend this debut novel as a quick and thought provoking read.
February 22, 2013
Just finished this book, staying up LATE LATE LATE to reach the end. Couldn't put it down. Fascinating look into the politics/emotions/personal logic of an affair. You get to ride along with the wife, the husband, and the mistress; just when you side with one character, you see another point of view and everything alters. This book will start AMAZING discussions! Perfect for a book group. I couldn't stop thinking about it (and yearning to get back to it) while I was reading it.... and I'm still thinking about it now. BIG recommendation for this book.
February 2, 2014
The book, "The Affair" is written to describe six days in December by three points of view, the wife, the husband and the mistress. I will say it gets tiresome to read the third account of the same six days. Having said that, it was interesting to relive how each felt about the break up of the 18 year old marriage.
I hesitated when selecting this book at the library mostly because of the title and what the contents might hold. But Colette Freedman drew me into the story almost immediately with the challenge of finishing Christmas cards as a beginning.
I hesitated when selecting this book at the library mostly because of the title and what the contents might hold. But Colette Freedman drew me into the story almost immediately with the challenge of finishing Christmas cards as a beginning.
November 27, 2012
The Affair is a book you wont be able to stop reading. Its like three books in one. Each character has their own unique story and you really feel for them all. I felt like i knew what it was like to be all characters and and ended up seeing all sides of the story. I ended up reading the book in two days, because i needed to see what happened i couldn't wait! Beautifully written, easy to read with a good flow. I really recommend this book as one to read...
April 9, 2013
LOVED IT.. read it in one day!!!!
April 19, 2013
http://www.dishwaterdreams.com/book-r...
The Affair by Colette Freedman is a story in three parts. After 18 years of marriage, Kathy suspects her husband is having an affair.
She is right.
Part 1 of the book tells Kathy's story. I think all women who have ever been in a long term relationship can relate to Kathy. She asks tough questions that we never want to face like what will she do? Will she stay or will she go? She really takes a hard look at her marriage and her life. By the end of this section, your heart is broken for Kathy.
Part 2 of the book tells the husband's side of the story. Robert is easy to dislike. He is a vain workaholic who cheats on his wife. But there is a lot of humanity there too. He isn't just a one dimensional bad guy. He has depth and seeing the story from both sides is fascinating and draws you in even further.
Part 3 is the same story, but from the mistress' perspective. As much as I tried, I just couldn't hate Stephanie. I really wanted to, but her strength and her desire to be loved made her too easy to identify with.
This is a great story and each section adds so many new layers to what happens.
My only real complaint about the book is that the dialogue in each version is identical. I would expect that three different people would hear the dialogue differently.
Colette Freedman has said that a follow up is coming soon and begins just minutes after this book ends. I will be reading that one!
The Affair by Colette Freedman is a story in three parts. After 18 years of marriage, Kathy suspects her husband is having an affair.
She is right.
Part 1 of the book tells Kathy's story. I think all women who have ever been in a long term relationship can relate to Kathy. She asks tough questions that we never want to face like what will she do? Will she stay or will she go? She really takes a hard look at her marriage and her life. By the end of this section, your heart is broken for Kathy.
Part 2 of the book tells the husband's side of the story. Robert is easy to dislike. He is a vain workaholic who cheats on his wife. But there is a lot of humanity there too. He isn't just a one dimensional bad guy. He has depth and seeing the story from both sides is fascinating and draws you in even further.
Part 3 is the same story, but from the mistress' perspective. As much as I tried, I just couldn't hate Stephanie. I really wanted to, but her strength and her desire to be loved made her too easy to identify with.
This is a great story and each section adds so many new layers to what happens.
My only real complaint about the book is that the dialogue in each version is identical. I would expect that three different people would hear the dialogue differently.
Colette Freedman has said that a follow up is coming soon and begins just minutes after this book ends. I will be reading that one!
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