The Melting Season

by Jami Attenberg

A tender, provocative story about the power of friendship, the thrill of self-discovery, and the strength it takes to escape the past.

Catherine Madison is headed West with a suitcase full of cash that isn't hers. She's just left the only home she's ever known, a small town in Nebraska, after the only man she had ever known, her husband, Thomas, deserted her. She's also left behind her deepest, most shameful secrets-among them a dysfunctional family she's never quite been able to escape and a marriage whose most intimate moments have plagued her with self-doubt. On the road, she was going to become a new person. Or so she thought.

But running away from the past isn't as easy as she had hoped. When Catherine reaches Las Vegas, she forms surprising new friendships that compel her to reveal what she had sworn she'd keep hidden, and teach her what human connection really means. Armed with this new knowledge, she is finally emboldened to uncover the truth about her family, come to understand what destroyed her marriage, and prevent her troubled sister from repeating her mistakes.

Deeply compassionate and unflinchingly bold, The Melting Season is the story of an indelible character's journey from isolation to belonging, as well as an honest look at the things we feel we deserve from our lives- and how far we will go to find them.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Literary Fiction, Book Club

289 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

I'm the author of Instant Love, The Kept Man, The Melting Season, The Middlesteins, and Saint Mazie, All Grown Up, and All This Could Be Yours, and a memoir, I Came All This Way To Meet You: Writing Myself Home. You can find me on twitter @jamiattenberg. I am the founder of the #1000wordsofsummer annual writing project and have a newsletter called Craft Talk. In 2024 the book version of #1000wordsofsummer will be published along with a new novel. I'm originally from the Chicago area, lived in New York City for sixteen years, and am now happily a New Orleans resident.

Reviews

[Judy Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was stunning. Absolutely stunning. I kept putting off writing this review because whatever words I found to describe it sounded wrong. What I'm trying to say is that this story is a precious one.
Yes- that is the story - a country girl steals her husband's money and leaves him. Period. She ends up in Las Vegas- where she meets Valka-a fabulous mess of a woman.I have to say that Valka was one of the most
fantastic and beautiful characters that I have ever read. She took my breath away.
At times you understand that Jami Attenberg is using her character to tell the story. Valka listens and Catherine talks but lemme tell you- Valka's listening is just so so punchy - so so active that you just want to reach into the book and hug her.. and hug her again. She is a masterpiece.
I won't go on.
Read it.
I found only one very minor irritant with the style. Here it is: Catherine talks funny. I know there's a literary name for it but this is what she does. She uses the whole verb. Like this; Instead of saying 'I'm' she says 'I am'
or instead of saying 'can't' she says 'cannot'.
I kind of drove me nuts at first. It made me think of all those arty authors that don't use quotation marks to denote a character's speech. With those guys it just seemed effected and frankly stupid.
But in this case I got used to it. I think Jami Attenberg was trying to make Catherine sound 'us folksy' or homey but in the end she came off sounding like a Quaker or a Quaker's wife- which is fine until you hear this Quaker describing penile implants and masturbating techniques for women everywhere.
It's a bit of a jolt but like I said this book was a stunning piece of work. Yes it was a masterpiece. And Valka - she deserves a Pulitzer. Just that beautiful.JM

[Ami]

So funny story... One of the ladies in my book club picked "The Melting Season" for our monthly book. As this book got stranger and wierder (and I'm no stranger to wierd) I kept waiting to figure out what this nice conservative-ish lady saw in this book containing a penis enlargement surgery, transvestite celebrity look-alike one night stands, and scores or other sexual wierdness.

When we got to the book club meeting and started giving her a hard time about it, she had no idea what we were all talking about. Turns out she gave us the wrong author's name and there's another book called "The Melting Season." Oops.

It might not have been so bad if the writing held me and kept me interested in the story or caring about the characters. It didn't.

Read the other one instead.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed following Catherine/Moonie/Cathy through her journey, I do have one complaint. The character doesn't use any contractions. I know it is petty but the everytime she speaks I want to shake her and say "People don't talk like this!!!" Overall, was an easy read and a inspiration that it is never too late to find yourself.

[Bonnie G. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was going through some old books to get rid of them, and found this and realized I never reviewed it. I am depending on my memory from about 5 years ago. I really did not like this book. It lured me in with a well written if rambling first chapter or two, and then it sunk down into disingenuous and boring droning. I am more likely to abandon a book now than I was then so I did finish. I expect if I picked it up today I would abandon it before I hit halfway. There are only two things I remember clearly about this one. The first is that Attenberg was writing about people she did not know at all -- not one character rang true. The second is that she is obsessed with small dicks, which is fine, but not much to hang a story on (no pun intended.)

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

You probably shouldn't have clicked view spoilers.

You have been warned.

...Okay. So this started out pretty promising.

Woman seeks independence! She has a tragic past! She's stolen all/most of her husbands money! And now Vegas! A sudden friendship! Beatles impersonators!

Then we start delving in her past:

Penis. Tiny penis. Nubby penis. Penis. Penis. Penis.

I just... what? I... what?

Okay, so all this info was revealed very slowly and in a different order, but I'm just diving right in. Basically the main character never feels anything during sex which makes her husband feel inadequate and even though, yes he has a nub (her word!) it's not his fault. The main character is numb inside because her mother told her a traumatic rape-story repeatedly as a child. (It almost took the entire book, but this lovely little nugget was finally revealed.) Anyway, her husband is obsessed with his not-so-manly piece of manhood so he gets surgery or something. (I just don't even want to go there.) But his wife still doesn't feel anything, blah blah blah. Their relationship falls apart. She moves out and eventually runs away with most of this money. She ends up in Vegas where she makes a friend (to whom she recounts this story) and also has sex with a transgender Prince impersonator who makes her feeeeel. Or something.

I am laughing as I write this. I probably shouldn't be, but nothing about the first 60 or so pages of this story was any indication of how it would end up going.

[Jennifer Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about cool women that doesn't include one cliche -- a rare find, and a compulsive read.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say that I loved this book, in so much that I loved the author. I loved the way Attenberg drove me through the chapters of a story about a bored and lonely soul who's only good luck in life, is the fact that she married a pathetic man with enough money to help her have an adventure of a lifetime when she finally get's abandoned by his sad ass. I was empathetic and at the same time curious, kind of the same feelings I had when I saw the movie Selma and Louise. If you're a meyers briggs type INFP and can clearly imagine characters and yourself in a story, you will love this. It is an adventure for the hippy dippy's in our souls! If you're still over impressed with your college degree and your house payment and new cars in the garage, skip it, don't bother. It is anything but safe, or predicatable, so you'll be bored in your discomfort. Ha! This isnt a bread maker, it's a fictional story written by a truely creative soul. The story is a bit cluncky, but it is reminiscent of the main character after all, a disgruntled Catherine! I loved the characters and exploration of everything from unrequitted love, what it's like being a victim of stupid parent's, to new found sexual freedom. The friendship develops on what I'm not sure, but if it makes you turn the page, then who cares. Fun fun fun! No logic, just feeling and fun. Try to enjoy it as that, and don't over analyze this book. Thank you Jami, I loved this story and will search out more of your books and stories. Don't quit weaving your imagination through words and sticky, icky, and sometimes sad life pictures, the nay sayers will go away, and you'll be left with those of us who are true fiction readers, real life romantics and yes sometimes a little unpredictable because of our lack of inner self control; at that, I get it and I get you!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some really intriguing stuff for many readers to enjoy here. I really liked the descriptions of the Midwest and the frostbitten scenery and people in it. The Las Vegas scenes are fun and snappy. And the storyline about the husband who wants to "correct" his small penis is a pretty unique element too. The revealing bit toward the end about the mother and her bedtime story is pretty crushing.

[Tamsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a slow quiet kind of book, with a narrator I'm not quite sure I've encountered before - or if I have, it's not been as well-portrayed as I find her here. Catherine is a young small-town wife, married right out of high school. She's wise but naive, immature and experienced all at the same time, and she loves Nebraska. It's interesting to read - almost a coming of age (maturity?) post-coming of age. Took a bit to warm up to, but I liked it more and more as the story went on.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have tried, twice now, to get through this book. I may return some future day-but for now-no thanks.

[Eva Natiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonie felt more with her heart than most people feel with their entire body.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really outstanding book. I'm not a big fiction reader, so my thoughts may not count for much, but I was consistently riveted and entertained by Attenberg's story of journey and realization, most of all by her strong, concise prose style. Attenberg populated Moonie's thoughts with thoughtful observations while still noting that the character isn't used to trafficking in thoughtful observations. There's that annoyingly common compliment that a writer "really understands the mindset of the working-class life," usually turning its blue-collar heroes into prosaic, constantly profound mouthpieces for the author. Moonie Madison is played realistically...she doesn't over-analyze every strange new experience she sees, but gets to the center of what's happening with an enviable clarity.

The story is structured well, jumping back and forth between current action and flashback without much problem (I should point out that my rating is more like 4.5 stars, with the half deducted for the middle section, which amounts to little more than two people laying on a hotel bed, one telling the other her life story. Every time we're taken out of the action to think about that [as when Valka comments on some part of Moonie's story:], it's a reminder that our two main characters have been on their backs and talking for almost 80 pages). The emotional twists at the end were well-handled and not at all maudlin, and though I didn't really need the happy resolution at the end, it was in line with what came before it.

As I say, I don't read much fiction, but I'm sure glad I read this.

[Jinky · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a chore to read this book. I thought about giving up but then I pushed forward hoping it'd come together by the end. Nope, not really! The mysterious and "not feeling" protagonist (Catherine) stayed pretty much that way ...okay, maybe there was an implication that growth had taken place but I felt that it was one of those imagery endings that did not work here. Don't get me wrong, I don't need the ending to be neat and explained ... remember, I liked Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, ... but I was not satisfied with the character development here. A couple of the supporting characters (Valka and Prince impersonator) were promising but there too I craved more. Plus, I didn't care for how the adult context was presented. It wasn't necessarily the prudish side of me, I can handle sensuality. I just felt that it was not done right for my taste. Consequently, this is an equivalent of the movie rating of "rated R" ...and a bad one at that. Sorry Ms. Attenberg and Attenberg fans. Please don't shoot me (or the like).

My quote-able:

"...you should have more respect for your insides. The fact that you can conceive, that your body works in that way. You should not be careless about your power. There are people who would kill to have that power. You should appreciate it. It's your body. You do what you want with it. But you respect it." --Valka, pg 271-272

[Sonya Doernberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure this book was for me--an Omaha woman in her mid-twenties takes a big chunck of her husband's money and heads to Vegas, staying in a few raunchy motels along the way. I hate Vegas! However, once the main character gets to there, the book gets interesting and deep. It kind of sucks you in and you can't put it down until you finish. It passed the Sonya test! Definitely a worthwhile read! I haven't read anything else by the author but will probably take a look at some of her other books.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of a Nebraska women who flees her small town life, an unhappy marriage, a controlling mother and a needy pregnant sister and heads to Las Vegas where she briefly lives the fast life. There she confides in a women with whom she develops a strong friendship and is able to move forward and confront the life she has abandoned. The book is about mid western life and sensibilities, and at the same time delves into the world of stardom and celebrity. Although some of the people seem like caricatures, it was an interesting read and a story well told.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just didn't really enjoy this book. It was another book club selection and if it weren't for that, I probably would have stopped reading it mid-way through. I just couldn't relate to the characters and the story was kind of dry. Also, I felt like the story kind of jumped around and didn't explain enough in certain areas.

All in all, I would not recommend reading it.

[Clark Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick-moving with a fine, concise narrative voice. A story about good, simple, small town Nebraskan folk and penile-enhancement surgery and sexual shame and secrets. And pop-star impersonators in Vegas. And a big suitcase full of cash. Describing it this way makes it sound a little madcap, but it's actually quite tender. Attenberg is a fine writer.

[Laura Hogensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attenberg's female characters are honest, nuanced, and non-cliche. My one peeve, however, was that the main character does not use contractions in her speech, and I could never figure out why. In my head, her voice had a stilted, formal, robotic quality, and maybe that's what JA was going for when she was writing, but it ended up being more annoying for me than adding anything to the character.

[Doriana Bisegna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have already read one of Jami Attenberg's novels and thought I would give her earlier work a try. I enjoy Attenberg's writing. Her novels are full of interesting characters and their voices are strong. While not a page turner, I was immersed in the story and in the character's lives.

[Eliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

So so weird. Mostly good, but then...

[Missi Kulow-Klumker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not good

[Lydia · Rating 1 out of 5]

meh

[Jaybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange, yet compelling book. I'm really not sure how to rate it.

[Tasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This might literally be the worst book I have ever read.

[Tiffany Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine "Moonie" Madison leaves her hometown in Nebraska after stealing a huge chunk of money from her estranged husband. She has always loved Nebraska, never wanted to leave, and has always loved her husband, Thomas. She also feels fiercely protective of her teenage sister, Jenny. So what happened? All we know at the beginning is that she's been living in an apartment above the town diner, squirreling money away.
Catherine ends up in Las Vegas, where she meets a woman from Los Angeles named Valka, who also feels damaged. As the two women get to know each other, Valka finally convinces Catherine to return to Nebraska, where Jenny is the victim of her parents' toxic marriage.
There was tension right in the beginning of the story, when I wondered what had driven Cathy over the edge, and I like how her backstory opens up slowly: the problems with Thomas, her own fear that there's something wrong with her, her mother's dangerous secrets and anger, and her father's withdrawal from the family. There were parts of this story that were depressing, but not boring The only part I didn't find interesting was when Cathy and Valka were getting drunk and gambling for days on end; while that's a normal way to spend time in Vegas, I didn't need to read several pages of their self-destruction. I did love their friendship, though.
If you like intense, gritty family dramas, you'll enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few things ...

1. This book rubbed me the wrong way. Toward the very end, I felt as though I were reading someone's attempt at drafting a screenplay to be produced by the Coen Brothers. Actually, this might make a pretty interesting/captivating movie!

2. This author is brilliant. Just because I didn't like this book doesn't mean I don't think Jami Attenberg has a rare gift. I ADORED The Middlesteins and St. Mazie.

While many of my favorite authors rewrite the same story with different characters (I still enjoy the novels - there is comfort in familiarity), Ms. Attenberg seems to just run with a topic that interests her and has written a diverse collection of books. I don't know if it's fair to say - because I am far from a literary scholar - but in some ways she reminds me of Ann Patchett in her ability and willingness to take risks in subject matter. The locations, the characters, the critical issues, the time periods - all over the map!! I really admire this.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the story begins, Catherine is driving west to get away from the small town in Nebraska where she is from. She has a suitcase with $178,000 which she has stolen from Thomas, her estranged husband. She ends up in Las Vegas where she is befriended by Valka, an older woman who is in Las Vegas to celebrate New Years Eve.

As the story unfolds, we find out why Catherine has run away. Her mother is a mean drunk, her father has tuned out and her younger sister is running wild. Marriage to Thomas hasn't turned out to be the love story she thought it would be.

Sounds like a dreary story, right? Well, it was. The writing style for of the book was dark and depressing too. The only likeable character was Valka and I found her a bit over the top. The story jumps back and forth in time as Catherine fills us and Valka in on what's been going on. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2024/03...

[Salimah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small decisions, small moments build/reveal character: I decided to keep reading The Melting Season because sometimes it's good to prove to yourself that you can endure a slog. As slogs go, this one wasn't terrible. I take no issue with the writing, which was solid/competent. It's that the emotional stakes never felt high enough to justify the story having been written. I found that I wasn't sure what conclusions to draw about the protagonist's inability to *feel* at the end (the theme of the book); however, I appreciated the open-ended, generous space she was in by the final paragraph.

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love love this writer, another reviewer hit it on the head when she also loved the writer, but not this book. Typical insecure protagonist, but this one gathers the courage to flee from desolate Nebraska farm country to Las Vegas with all the money in her joint bank account she holds with her husband who has left her.

She meets and becomes friends with a rather strange, but caring woman in LV, eventually returns to the farm with the money, but~~~ No spoilers here!

[Al Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written. There is good suspense and plot development. Characterization is wonderful. I thought the ending was not as strong as the rest of the book and that's why I only gave four stars. I was also distracted by the lack of contractions in the protagonist's dialogue. I know it was intentional because other characters use contractions. I'm guessing the intent was to differentiate this character in her language, but I just found it distracting.