- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (Jun 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060956496
- ISBN-13: 978-0060956493
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,523,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Throw aside your idea of a heroine, and meet Claire Newbold. Despite hardship--a young child's death, infertility, an unfaithful husband--wry, ferocious Claire has been trying to soldier on. But then she simply checks out of job and home to confront love and loss on the road. During the leave of absence she takes from her usual life, her behavior ranges from the illicit to--she fears--the deranged. She develops a scam for staying in hotel rooms without paying. She seduces a teenage boy at a hotel swimming pool. Armed with a dangerous amount of medical lore (her husband is a surgeon), she pursues a diagnosis that might explain everything.
Claire even comes to believe that she is clairvoyant--able to "read" the souls of people she encounters on her travels. And eventually she begins to see into her own soul. Some might call her sexual exploits "casual"; to Claire they are anything but. As she struggles to repair her marriage and her life, she surprises herself--and us--by emerging with a new sense of redemption.
Layover is a provocative, poignant, and entirely assured novel, with an unforgettable heroine at its heart. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Claire even comes to believe that she is clairvoyant--able to "read" the souls of people she encounters on her travels. And eventually she begins to see into her own soul. Some might call her sexual exploits "casual"; to Claire they are anything but. As she struggles to repair her marriage and her life, she surprises herself--and us--by emerging with a new sense of redemption.
Layover is a provocative, poignant, and entirely assured novel, with an unforgettable heroine at its heart. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I packed for homelessness the way I would pack for a week in Europe-wrinkle-free, in a carry-on. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I packed for homelessness the way I would pack for a week in Europe-wrinkle-free, in a carry-on. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
'Layover' starts well, with an inventive premise of a businesswoman who develops strategies for staying in hotels for free. The picture of someone whose world slowly disintegrates into the confusion, lethargy and unfocused sexual tension of a chronic depressive felt very realistic. However, large elements of the plot development felt rather unlikely, and my interest in the central character had almost completely dissipated by half-way through the book.
Format:Hardcover
... enough to seek out other novels by this author. I found "Alexander Freed" at the local library and liked it even more. If you enjoy Zeidner's work, check out books by Elinor Lipman, especially "Isabella's Bed."
Format:Hardcover
I was astounded to find myself connecting very intensely with the main character as I have also lost a child. (I fully expected this to read as a made-up literary extravagance, bearing little resemblence to my actual experiences.) If nothing else, Zeidner clearly captures the total chaos that an experience like this throws one into: believe me, the world no longer is a rational place where our actions or anything else make sense. I refute the statement by the reader who said that it is not believable for a woman to still be acting on such intense grief after 3 years. Three years is not a long time at all after the loss of a child; as a matter of fact, neither is 5 years, or 10 years, or 30 years.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dynamic writing style, lousy characters and plot
The first third of this book was innovative and a fun read. Then it began a downward spiral of ridiculous plot and unlikeable characters. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 1999
edgy and brilliant
self consciousness notwithstanding as i am a former student of dr. zeidner's review article writing class, 20 years ago; she was brilliant then,how could this "girl" be... Read more
Published on 10 Aug 1999
Claire's "craziness" rings frighteningly "sane."
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was oddly bittersweet and refreshingly real! Claire is remarkably composed and self-assured, while at the same time, entirely fragile. Read more
Published on 7 Aug 1999
Brilliant!
The most exciting and thoughtful read of the year! An absolute must!
Published on 28 July 1999
Sharp and Beautiful
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Crack open Layover and you'll meet a woman you know--smart, funny and sad. Read more
Published on 27 July 1999
modern grief
I found Zeidner's depiction of grief believable for two reasons: first, because our modern society deplores as over-emotionality any overt grieving at all, and second, because... Read more
Published on 24 July 1999
A book to gulp down---then go back and savor
This novel is such a fast-paced, enticing read that I don't think you realize until it's over how good it really is. Read more
Published on 21 July 1999
Incredible prose...plot good, but could have been better.
I absolutely loved Zeidner's writing style! She is a welcome change from other authors in her genre (if books about American women in midlife going through some sort of mental,... Read more
Published on 21 July 1999
Engrossing and Riveting
This book is riveting and beautifully written. Highly recommended.
Published on 15 July 1999
Original view of one woman's pain.
Finished in one sitting-what more can I say? Claire is dealing with her pain, hurt, and feelings of betrayal. The way in which she does so is original and thought provoking. Read more
Published on 14 July 1999
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