Push Hands

by Michael Graeme

A story of love, life and Tai Chi. Phil and Penny were made for each other - the only problem is they are married to other people. When they meet at a Tai Chi class they realise at once the depth of one another's loneliness and need for a sympathetic ear. Fearful of the consequences, they go to elaborate lengths to avoid each other but their paths begin to cross with chance-defying regularity, pulling them ever more deeply into one another's confidence. Is this evidence of a mysterious power at work, or should they simply have an affair?


Middle aged and married for a long time, their apparently unavoidable relationship causes them to ask serious questions of the meaning of their lives and their marriages, and finally to demand that their families respect them for who they really are. But will their families recognise them? Can they even recognise themselves?

ebook

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Stacey Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody gets in a rut. It's undeniable. Especially in marriage. What happens in this emotional, heartfelt, realistic journey we go on with two people attempting to save their purgatorial relationships? Well, basically, we "do not go gentle into that good night," with them. Not death, no, but close to it. And what a battle it is to extricate oneself from the sucking mud. This story is satisfying on all levels.

[Berimu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely a great book from an underapreciated author.
Two people trying to save their separate marriages and finding support in eachother. Fate seems to be pulling them together altough they fight to save their dignity.
A gripping storyline and underlying depth. With an end we are all waiting for.

[Vinayak Chavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second favorite book and I love the simplicity of this story but also amazed at how powerful the impact it has on you when you read it. You may almost feel a connection with the protagonists. Michael Graeme, you do write some of the best stories. You have my love and respect.

[Kim Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant at first because I myself only really like short novels and didn't realise this was a proper novel, lol.
But what can I say. With this book you really felt for the protagonist's, even though no one advocates this sort of situation, but the two were literally pushed into it, and not by there own volition, so I guess thats why you really pull for them feel for them and encourage them to do what they had to do to make life right not just for themselves but for the people who had placed them in the mess they had been placed in.
This book is a little gem, it's not everyday that you come across a book with morals, honesty, candidness, humour, heart break, and most of all love. If your a romantic at heart and want to cry, laugh, hate and have all your emotions pushed and pulled, give this a read I promise you, you will have trouble putting it down especially the last 3 chapters at the end the author really knows how to set, pace and end a story.
This book has grace, heart, and a mystery.
A must read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description of this book does not do it justice. The depth of Phil and Penny's relationship, the intimacy and connection, is painfully exquisite. there are passages in the book which were so simple and yet so powerful they stopped me in my tracks. Glorious writing.