- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Scribner; New edition edition (3 Jan 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743240006
- ISBN-13: 978-0743240000
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.4 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 171,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Julie Myerson
'I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. In the end, I was so uplifted, I did both'
Jenni Murray, Woman's Hour
'The best book in its genre that I have read in a long time'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can honestly say this novel fell short for me. The general story is based around two older couples, both of which have been married for a long time; both of which are taking their last holiday for different reasons. Whilst there were some interesting ideas in this story, I generally found I couldn't get into the characters enough. I did manage to read it to the end but several times I was tempted to give up. The story isnt overly enthralling and the characters arent explored enough for them to compensate the lack of story. Overall I found it a rather depressing read. However that said I do believe the author may have better material inside her somewhere.
26 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's hard to ignore a book when the first lines read "Before he had cancer he'd been bored by life. Since he'd taken dying seriously, he'd been busy". It's an opening to rank with Tolstoy's "All happy families resemble one another.." and Jane Austen's "It's a truth generally acknowledged...."
I found this story utterly compelling and unexpected. Compelling because I couldn't put the thing down and unexpected because I didn't think I'd care so much about 2 outwardly mundane couples at the beginning of the end of their lives together. Even more unexpected because just as you think you know where you are, Dean drops a startling and, once you've recovered from the shock, extemely funny line. All of which forces you to reconsider your reactions to both the tale unfolding on the page and the story of your own life.
The synopsis does no favours to this brilliant novel: in following the story of the elderly George and Dorothy from Bexhill-on-Sea and middle-aged Annemieke and Jan from Belgium on their once in a life time holiday in the Carribbean, you will reflect on your own life and that of your parents and grandparents with a new and searching light.
Read it, and then tell your friends. Is there more from where this came from?
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Louise Dean's first novel focuses on the stories of two couples who travel to a holiday resort in the Caribbean as a treat from their children. None of the four individuals particularly want to go on this holiday, but they feel obligated to because both couples realise that it might be the last one that they have together. Both couples are struggling to deal with illness. A middle-aged Belgian couple named Annemieke and Jan go on this holiday with the knowledge that Jan is suffering from a terminal cancer. The older English couple named George and Dorothy realise that Dorothy is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease. Despite the depressing idea of couples going on a final holiday while facing their own mortality may seem terribly depressing, Dean is able to suffuse the narrative with comic touches that gives it a great deal of humanity and makes it a rewarding, moving read.
This thirty-four year old writer has unusual insight into the complex way a long term marriage can develop a significance beyond the mere routines which come with the bonding of two people. In some ways the individual identity of each person becomes lost because the memories from each of their lives are inextricably linked to this other person. What the characters in this novel are struggling to decide is if they will lose their own sense of themselves if they leave their partner. George tries to meticulously record his past by writing a memoir and Annemieke attempts to completely rediscover a self worth in anonymous sexual encounters. Dean's writing is incredibly enjoyable to read in its richly detailed short chapters and startlingly emotional scenes. At the same time it is able to explore some very complex ideas about the nature of relationships and personality in original, meaningful ways. This is a unique and beautiful first novel.
This thirty-four year old writer has unusual insight into the complex way a long term marriage can develop a significance beyond the mere routines which come with the bonding of two people. In some ways the individual identity of each person becomes lost because the memories from each of their lives are inextricably linked to this other person. What the characters in this novel are struggling to decide is if they will lose their own sense of themselves if they leave their partner. George tries to meticulously record his past by writing a memoir and Annemieke attempts to completely rediscover a self worth in anonymous sexual encounters. Dean's writing is incredibly enjoyable to read in its richly detailed short chapters and startlingly emotional scenes. At the same time it is able to explore some very complex ideas about the nature of relationships and personality in original, meaningful ways. This is a unique and beautiful first novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An interesting subject, a good start, but ultimately unsatisfying and...
Becoming Strangers is first and foremost the story of couples becoming strangers to each other during the course of their [married] lives together. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by S. Barnes
Dorothy goes for a walk
Jan, a Belgian businessman who is dying of cancer, and his wife, Annemeike, are taking a Caribbean holiday, arranged by their two grown sons. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2009 by Eileen Shaw
Why?
I am now unable to recall exactly why this title was on my to read list, but something about it must have originally attracted me. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by LindyLouMac
An interesting idea, well written and developed
I thought the central theme was quite interesting, exploring relationships that have developed over time but now have to deal with the pending passing away of one of the partners. Read more
Published on 4 April 2009 by Tushar
Depressing view of human nature
This book should have been so much better than it was. As an idea for a book it works. Two couples go away on what is likely to be their last holiday as a couple. Read more
Published on 10 April 2006 by emma-ann
Unengaging
I have rarely read a book with a more promising opening line that was let down this fiercly by the remainder of the story. Read more
Published on 11 April 2005
The Memories Locked In Each Other
Louise Dean's first novel focuses on the stories of two couples who travel to a holiday resort in the Caribbean as a treat from their children. Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2004 by Eric Anderson
The Memories Locked In Each Other
Louise Dean's first novel focuses on the stories of two couples who travel to a holiday resort in the Caribbean as a treat from their children. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2004 by Eric Anderson
A sensitive, humourous, unexpected read
Becoming Strangers was a page-turner from the start. Having gripped the attention from the opening lines, it then surprised with a subtle mix of humour and understanding. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2004
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