The fascination with other people’s marriages is a common theme in popular culture, seen in shows like Couples Therapy and podcasts like Where Should We Begin? Hosted by Esther Perel. The New York Times recently reported on the separation of former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, further fueling this interest. Marriage, despite its everyday nature, carries an air of mystery, as it begs the question of how it can transform the way two individuals love and ultimately change who they are. However, I believe that these inquiries are best suited for the discerning eye of a novelist. Throughout history, novels have expertly delved into the nature of marriage and its enduring allure, starting with the awkward courtship of Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, to Rachel Samstat’s acrimonious divorce in Nora Ephron’s Heartburn, and continuing to the present day.
The most compelling narratives about marriage do not always conclude with a clear resolution, such as a wedding, death, or divorce. Instead, the following seven novels explore the capacity of a fragile relationship to withstand various pressures. They feature characters who seek to escape isolation through the institution of marriage, while others find freedom within its constraints. These novels present marriage as both a societal imposition, a source of nurturing love, and a breeding ground for disloyalty. They do not shy away from contemplating the consequences when the person you have vowed to love indefinitely undergoes a transformation and becomes a stranger.
1. The Beauty of the Husband: A Fictional Essay in 29 Tangos by Anne Carson
The Beauty of the Husband is a poetic reflection on love, attraction, betrayal, and bitterness. Carson’s narrator has separated from her husband, a deceitful womanizer who shamelessly borrows from her work. Despite their split, the husband’s captivating beauty continues to resonate with the narrator, and she confesses that she might be tempted to fall for him once again. However, she keeps her distance as he sends letters glorifying their love. This emotional space allows her to candidly reflect on their years together. By examining their relationship in hindsight, the narrator questions why she was drawn to him in the first place and wrestles with the loss of her agency. The Beauty of the Husband offers a portrayal of an unequal union where one partner’s overpowering presence consumes the mind of the other.
2. Room Temperature by Nicholson Baker
Nicholson Baker, known for his experimental debut novel, The Mezzanine, explores the intimacy of everyday love in Room Temperature. The novel revolves around a man feeding his newborn daughter, a seemingly mundane activity that serves as the backdrop for the narrative. As he attends to his daughter’s needs, the story weaves in and out of reflections on his bond with his wife, Patty. Baker masterfully captures the shared intimacy between partners who quickly reconcile after disagreements, engage in playful teasing, and offer solace to one another. He highlights the profundity found in the most ordinary aspects of a shared life. Room Temperature is an excellent portrayal of a marriage where not much occurs on the surface, but everything resonates beneath, encapsulating the essence of a strong partnership.
3. Eva’s Man by Gayl Jones
Eva’s Man begins in the aftermath of a murder, with Eva sharing her life story from a psychiatric prison. Through a fast-paced narrative, she recounts the men who have shaped her life and seeks anyone willing to listen—reporters, guards, even her cellmate. Among her former partners, James Hunn stands out as a haunting figure. He married a young Eva after her imprisonment for stabbing a previous lover. Although he offered support and care as she reintegrated into society, Jones depicts the intense, patronizing cruelty that defined their relationship. Eva flees after two years, but Hunn’s psychological impact continues to loom over her subsequent partners. Jones’s fractured and arresting prose mirrors the toll that violence takes on Eva. Eva’s Man powerfully illustrates how marriage, no matter how short-lived, possesses the ability to transform an entire life, for better or worse.
4. Darryl by Jackie Ess
Darryl tells the story of Darryl Cook, a man in his forties living in Oregon, who finds pleasure in watching other men engage in sexual encounters with his wife, Mindy. Unlike the couples in other novels on this list, Darryl and Mindy’s bond is defined by liberation and exploration. However, Ess suggests that these qualities can be perilous when one partner lacks insight and discretion. Darryl initially explores the lifestyle of cuckolding but embarks on a journey to find enlightenment. He becomes entangled with his sociopathic couples therapist, Clive, whose provocations unravel Darryl’s marriage and sense of identity. Ess crafts a smart and humorous narrative that reveals the consequences of pursuing an intentional and examined life.
5. A Severed Head by Iris Murdoch
Iris Murdoch masterfully dissects the complexities of the human psyche in A Severed Head. The protagonist, Martin Lynch-Gibbon, a wealthy wine merchant, finds himself juggling a brilliant wife and a charming young lover. However, upon returning from a visit with his mistress, his wife, Antonia, delivers the shocking news that she has fallen deeply in love with her psychoanalyst and wants a divorce. Devastated by the disintegration of his marriage, Martin loses touch with his own identity and develops an unhealthy fascination with the therapist’s sister. Despite the rival affairs, Martin’s connection with Antonia proves resilient. After a fistfight, he manages to win her back, only to face jealousy when his spurned mistress decides to marry his brother. A Severed Head portrays marriage and passion as trifling and absurd, locked in a constant battle for dominance.
6. The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Han Kang’s The Vegetarian follows Yeong-hye, an unremarkable woman who decides to give up meat after experiencing a series of violent dreams. Her decision to reject meat is perceived as an attack on her husband and their life together. Yeong-hye’s vegetarianism symbolizes her desire to control her own fate, which threatens the men who seek to dominate her existence. The novel portrays shades of marriage in various forms, from her father finding her vegetarianism offensive to her brother-in-law taking advantage of her during a psychotic break. Ultimately, divorced and committed to a psychiatric hospital, Yeong-hye finds a semblance of freedom by envisioning herself as a plant and abandoning all food. The Vegetarian presents a challenging world that reimagines matrimony as a fragile and perilous ecosystem, offering a unique perspective on the institution.
These novels provide diverse and thought-provoking insights into the intricacies of marriage. They examine the strengths and vulnerabilities of relationships, exploring the potential for both growth and disillusionment within the confines of matrimony. By delving into the complexities of human connection, these narratives challenge societal norms and shed light on the ever-evolving nature of love and partnership.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
