- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: One World Press; Reprint edition (July 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345447328
- ISBN-13: 978-0345447326
- Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 1.4 x 20.9 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,315,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Discretion
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
From American Book Award-winning author Elizabeth Nunez, a powerful novel that explores an intricate lovers’ triangle, the human thirst for passion, and the myriad ways desire can betray those who have fallen under its spell.
Descended from warriors and raised by missionaries, Oufoula is a diplomat whose wealth and charm make him both publicly admired and envied. From a tragic childhood he emerged a man who leads a disciplined life of respect, married to Nerida, a woman he did not want to deceive. But the beautiful Marguerite, a Jamaican-born artist living in New York, makes him question what ideals he can live by, and which values he can betray.
For twenty years, Oufoula has carried a secret in his heart, a secret of his love for Marguerite. Though they have been separated for two decades by Marguerite’s call for propriety, Oufoula refuses to let his desire wane. When the lovers are at last reunited, the rekindling of their passion forces Oufoula to come to terms with the core of his character: Is he willing to sacrifice his marriage, his career, and the very foundations of the life he has struggled to create, all for the love of one woman?
Oufoula’s confession is adorned with the literature of his European education, and shrouded by the spirits and responsibilities of Africa. Caught between myth and reason, Oufoula reveals himself to be a soul trapped in every way, who, like Faust, would bargain with the devil for fulfillment . . . but was never offered any choice.
This is the portrait of a man who cannot be forgotten. A gripping, masterfully crafted tale of love, deceit, and the human compulsion for power, Discretion forces us to reconsider that ever-compelling question: At what price passion?
From the Hardcover edition.
Descended from warriors and raised by missionaries, Oufoula is a diplomat whose wealth and charm make him both publicly admired and envied. From a tragic childhood he emerged a man who leads a disciplined life of respect, married to Nerida, a woman he did not want to deceive. But the beautiful Marguerite, a Jamaican-born artist living in New York, makes him question what ideals he can live by, and which values he can betray.
For twenty years, Oufoula has carried a secret in his heart, a secret of his love for Marguerite. Though they have been separated for two decades by Marguerite’s call for propriety, Oufoula refuses to let his desire wane. When the lovers are at last reunited, the rekindling of their passion forces Oufoula to come to terms with the core of his character: Is he willing to sacrifice his marriage, his career, and the very foundations of the life he has struggled to create, all for the love of one woman?
Oufoula’s confession is adorned with the literature of his European education, and shrouded by the spirits and responsibilities of Africa. Caught between myth and reason, Oufoula reveals himself to be a soul trapped in every way, who, like Faust, would bargain with the devil for fulfillment . . . but was never offered any choice.
This is the portrait of a man who cannot be forgotten. A gripping, masterfully crafted tale of love, deceit, and the human compulsion for power, Discretion forces us to reconsider that ever-compelling question: At what price passion?
From the Hardcover edition.
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8 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
What Is Discretion?
27 Feb 2002
Format:Hardcover
What is the price of passion? According to Oufoula, discretion is the better part of valor. Oufoula is an African man representing his country as an diplomat. Oufoula is married to Nerida, the daughter of the President of his homeland. Through his extensive travels, Oufoula meets and greets like-minded people; people interested in securing necessities for their homelands. One evening the name Marguerite is mentioned and Oufoula is mesmerized. He has dreamt about a woman named Margarete; the woman that Goethe's Faust sold his soul to the devil for. When dreaming of Margarete, Oufoula is actually despising a past love by the name of Mulenga. Oufoula is bound and determined not to let the love of someone destroy him as it did his mother. To replace passion, he has his work for his country to contend with. After meeting "the" Marguerite, Oufoula's life changes and love enters. Can a man actually love two women for two totally different reasons at the same time?
Elizabeth Nunez has weaved an intricate tale of passion coupled with forbidden love at the expense of it all. While the prose may appear typical, Discretion offers a look into the mind and history of man who has lost and gained much throughout his life. Nunez takes the reader on a journey through Africa and New York City, setting in place the necessary landscape to embrace this story. Many references are made of other literary works, which offer an insight into the minds of Oufoula and Marguerite. Her characterizations are developed, symbolic and heartfelt!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
White guy enjoys black woman author's work.
1 Nov 2005
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book, it is written in a way that relaxes the eyes. It makes for rich reading, a joy to take in and ponder, a story full of human drama.
The characters are real, and we can identify with them easily. It is astounding how Ms. Nunez can paint so deeply the world of a male, telling the tale from Oufoula's point of view. He is a flawed man, and the reader has many questions about him. Also, the tragic figure of Marguerite. Her story is real. Her turmoil is tangible, and I can sympathize with her. I would have liked to hear more about Nerida, the wife of Oufoula, and of her world a little more. She comes off as a little more hollow than the other two. The premise of the book--passion v. love--is weak because of the lack of impact from Nerida. There is a little imbalance. As a result, the plight of Oufoula tilts toward Marguerite. Does he love his wife or merely tolerate her? She hardly says a word.
The plot is simple, there is not a lot of action...no scenes from the floor of the UN, where Oufoula delivers impassioned speeches. All that is fine. His account of his work suffices. We can see how his past brought about his present situaton. I liked the passages about his experiences in Africa.
The dialogue is well-done, and specifically that which occurs between the man and his lover. It defines who they are, each one alone, and their intimate relationship together. It serves to show the many holes in Oufoula's life, but I don't think this is a "all men are dogs" typical grrrrl book.
I like the references to "Faust" and "Things Fall Apart", both of which I read. The passion between the two lovers recalled for me the passion between Robert and Francesca in "The Bridges of Madison County". Still, I wished Marguerite maintained a sharp edge over the years to challenge Oufoula to honesty.
I recommend this book highly.
The characters are real, and we can identify with them easily. It is astounding how Ms. Nunez can paint so deeply the world of a male, telling the tale from Oufoula's point of view. He is a flawed man, and the reader has many questions about him. Also, the tragic figure of Marguerite. Her story is real. Her turmoil is tangible, and I can sympathize with her. I would have liked to hear more about Nerida, the wife of Oufoula, and of her world a little more. She comes off as a little more hollow than the other two. The premise of the book--passion v. love--is weak because of the lack of impact from Nerida. There is a little imbalance. As a result, the plight of Oufoula tilts toward Marguerite. Does he love his wife or merely tolerate her? She hardly says a word.
The plot is simple, there is not a lot of action...no scenes from the floor of the UN, where Oufoula delivers impassioned speeches. All that is fine. His account of his work suffices. We can see how his past brought about his present situaton. I liked the passages about his experiences in Africa.
The dialogue is well-done, and specifically that which occurs between the man and his lover. It defines who they are, each one alone, and their intimate relationship together. It serves to show the many holes in Oufoula's life, but I don't think this is a "all men are dogs" typical grrrrl book.
I like the references to "Faust" and "Things Fall Apart", both of which I read. The passion between the two lovers recalled for me the passion between Robert and Francesca in "The Bridges of Madison County". Still, I wished Marguerite maintained a sharp edge over the years to challenge Oufoula to honesty.
I recommend this book highly.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
from a male's point of view
23 April 2002
Format:Hardcover
i found it to be so astonishing that Ms. Nunez had such a concentrated look into the consciousness of a cheating man. I was amazed by the laguage that was used, so poetic and so beautiful. I hosted a book club where we met Ms. Nunez, and she talked about how Oufoula's practices were justified by his upbringing. I was, strangely enough as a guy, the only one to disagree with what he felt. Then again, all his beliefs were accepted because of his wife, and not what he wanted. So, my disgreement was probably not fully warranted. Oufoula's justification of this on page 256 had me rolling. i was touched and entertained by this novel.
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