66 Laps: A Novel

by Leslie Lehr Spirson

66 Laps

Genres: Fiction

222 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2000

About the author

Prizewinning author and screenwriter whose first novel, 66 Laps, won the Pirates Alley Faulkner Prize. She has written four nonfiction books, he screenplay for "Heartless" and has a movie in development for Lifetime TV. She has written essays in major anthologies, including The Honeymoon's Over and Mommy Wars, for which she was lauded on the Today Show. Lehr's new novel, Wife Goes On, about four women who help each other live happIER ever after, is due out at the end of February, 2008."

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank the author for the free review copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the 2nd book by Ms. Lehr that I've read. This is a fairly short book, but a tautly written, slightly dark story of what can happen to a seemingly happily, married couple. Audrey enjoys her time in the pool. While she swims her 66 laps (one mile) she gets a chance to think, takes a break from her duties as a stay-at-home mom, and considers if she's getting old, as evidenced by the new gray hairs, and wonders if her husband Jim is having an affair with his coworker. Self doubt eats away at Audrey and she lashes out at Jim who denies an affair. One day at the park Audrey catches the eye of a young grad student. It seems so nice to have someone find her attractive. She just wants to make Jim jealous, but soon she heads down a very slippery slope. Sometimes we go too far and ruin the good thing we have. Very soon Audrey wishes she could turn back time. Go back to a happier period, but the world must get darker before it can be light again, under the cool ripples of the pool.

[Bek Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was the writers first book and I felt she did an amazing job. I loved her writing. It was easy to read but very good and "smart". The main character Audrey was terrific. Her feelings were real. Her husband was great in all aspects that a husband can be. Throw in a young co-worker and what's a housewife/mother to do other than think he is cheating? The ending...threw me off. So sad. I still cannot believe that is how it ended. So good. So sad.

[Sue Emanuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Years ago I read this book and thought it was really good. Now I'm not so sure. I did not like the main character AT ALL! She was way too insecure and vindictive. Because she thought her husband cheated, she felt like she was entitled to a free romp with a stranger???? She seemed entitled and vain and while there were some good points about the differences between men and women and the expectations we all live with, overall I felt zero sympathy for her. SHE is the one who destroyed their marriage. And her daughter paid the consequences.

[Joan Acosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two wrongs don’t make it right especially when one wrong is “perceived” to be adultery and the other wrong changes the course of a once happy family.

[Carol Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me wondering if I knew what the outcome would be, I thought I knew. Audrey a stay at home mom whose handsome husband is in the movie industry, and its easy to sympathize with Audrey who feels totally insecure in her ability to stay young looking when she imagines Jim's exciting career meeting all those lovely women. She reacts rather boldly slapping her friend in the face when this friend tells her she sees a grey hair on Audrey's head! Her love of taking laps in her swimming pool take on an obsessive need to keep her trim, while she counts the 66 laps each time. There is cause for real concern and jealousy when a co-worker of her husband leaves a pair of sunglasses on a patio chair near the pool. This sets Audrey on a dark path, as she thinks about an affair. Events collide, a unspeakable event happens, and all is upside down. Does Audrey stay in her marriage, does she leave, how does she survive the pains of the past? An ending I didn't imagine, as I held my breath, is what made this book so readable. I was lucky to have received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I liked the flow of the story and how the characters develop. The concept of 66 laps was very inventive. I liked the conflict and ways that Audrey grows and reacts to events in her life. Controversy and turmoil abound. She makes all the wrong choices for all the wrong reasons. She sees things wrong. By the time she figures it out it is almost too late. It makes you think about how we all overreact or think about change and changes in life and choices we make. How we live with the consequences. Highly recommend this book. Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of 66 Laps in return for an honest review.

This book is set deep in the mind of Audrey, who is going through a midlife crisis and who thinks way too hard. Some of the chapters were tricky to get through. The end came abruptly and smacked you right in the face. I was left a bit aghast. But then I wanted more. I got so involved with the characters that I wanted to keep reading about them.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such weird reviews on this book. I found the writing to be really great. If you do read this book, do not read any description for it. The one on goodreads pretty much spoils the whole thing and I think I enjoyed it a lot more not knowing anything going in. It's a story that sticks with you though & it's quick enough that I'd probably recommend it to most folks I know who read.

[Kylie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. The book was interesting at first, but I just don't connect with books involving marital affairs and lies/deception. This just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Geralyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribel. Quick read about marriagem parenthood divorce death. Picked up on a whim at the library. Not even worth one star!

[Silas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning debut.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was fine and an easy/quick read.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked with the first sentence when she slapped Colleen! Just a record of a humdrum life with a big mistake and the consequences.
This is a quick, light read.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed! Somewhat boring at times!

[Carol Harrison · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was trite, with an overly melodramatic ending.

[Aubrey Gigous · Rating 3 out of 5]

very upsetting ending...very.

[Silas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning debut.

[Silas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning debut.