Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
10th out of 11 books
—
2 voters
The Interruption of Everything
"Being a lifetime wife and mother has afforded me the luxury of having multiple and even simultaneous careers: I’ve been a chauffeur. A chef. An interior decorator. A landscape architect, as well as a gardener. I’ve been a painter. A furniture restorer. A personal shopper. A veterinarian’s assistant and sometimes the veterinarian.... An accountant, a banker, and on occasio...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
July 19th 2005
by Viking Adult
(first published May 2nd 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,729)
Marilyn Grimes is just trying to get through life. She has a husband in the midst of a mid-life crisis, a crazy sister, and dreams of a career pushed aside for her family. A lot of what Marilyn is going through seems very much age-based (menopause, a long marriage with the romance dwindling) but I still had no problem relating to her. Even though she deals with some serious issues, this book is also really, really funny.
I finished Terry McMillan's The Interruption of Everything tonight. This is definitely a page-turner. It's a universal story. It's not full of cliches or male bashing or gratuitous sex (I hate that that's what I expected from her, but it sorta was). It's not sugar-coated or exaggerated. It's just real. If we all live long enough we'll experience many of the things these characters do: that mid-life thing they say men go through, menopause, caring for our parents in their old age, empty nesting....more
Marilyn Grimes is a nice lady. She’s a non-swearing, jewellery-making, churchgoing San Francisco suburbanite who spends her life administering to the every need of her children, mother, sister, niece, nephew, grandchild, husband, and mother-in-law. Then, unexpectedly pregnant and subjected to the increasing demands of a demented mother, drug addicted sister, overbearing mother-in-law, and her husband Leon’s midlife crisis – complete with Harley, perky girlfriend, and a sudden desire to find hims...more
From the author who brought you the hilarious Waiting to Exhale and A Day Late and a Dollar Short, The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan is an astounding piece that truly brings readers back down to Earth and the reality of womanhood. Following the story of Marilyn Grimes, an forty-something who strives to be the ‘perfect’ everything for her family, McMillan takes readers through an heartfelt tale about the struggle of maintaing a life of your own: especially when it is dedicated to e...more
Apr 06, 2013
Jenny Tyler
is currently reading it
This week I have began reading 'The Interruption of Everything' by Terry Mcmillan. Marilyn Grimes is a wife and mother of three who is currently going through a midlife crisis. Marilyn sits on the handicapped stall at her job eating a Good n Plenty bar contemplating whether she should get a blood test according to her friend Paulette. Paulette has been telling Marilyn that she has been showing symptoms of beginning menopause. Paulette warns Marilyn that she needs to give some things a break incl...more
The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan
In The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan, Marilyn finds out her marriage is failing and her life is thrown into chaos, she is determined to make a change. For her whole life, Marilyn catered to her husband Leo, and was the primary caregiver to her kids. She never regretted raising her three kids and devoting her life to them, but once they went off to college she felt empty. Marilyn was thankful to have Leo financially support her; howev...more
In The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan, Marilyn finds out her marriage is failing and her life is thrown into chaos, she is determined to make a change. For her whole life, Marilyn catered to her husband Leo, and was the primary caregiver to her kids. She never regretted raising her three kids and devoting her life to them, but once they went off to college she felt empty. Marilyn was thankful to have Leo financially support her; howev...more
n the early 1990's, author Terry McMillan gave a voice to young African American women via the antics of the characters in her New York Times bestseller, Waiting to Exhale. Now, nearly 13 years later, she is back with another definite hit, The Interruption of Everything, which focuses on the trials and tribulations of a middle-aged woman, Marilyn Grimes. It is an engaging novel that truly transcends race and culture because art imitates life - Marilyn's experiences are very real for many women o...more
This is an audiobook I really enjoyed.
Marilyn Grimes tale begins with a midlife crisis. Marilyn is 44 and is trying to find herself outside the constraints of a passionless marriage, a demanding family and a long list of things she wants to accomplish on her own. Marilyn is working with a full plate; three grown children in college, a husband with a roving eye, a demanding mother-in-law, a mother suffering the beginning of dementia and a drug-addicted sister. Torn between taking care of her fam...more
Marilyn Grimes tale begins with a midlife crisis. Marilyn is 44 and is trying to find herself outside the constraints of a passionless marriage, a demanding family and a long list of things she wants to accomplish on her own. Marilyn is working with a full plate; three grown children in college, a husband with a roving eye, a demanding mother-in-law, a mother suffering the beginning of dementia and a drug-addicted sister. Torn between taking care of her fam...more
Feb 05, 2009
Bookmarks Magazine
added it
McMillan's sixth novel resembles Waiting to Exhale in its warm portrayal of African-American women's friendships, sexual challenges, and familial problems__not unlike everyone else's, it turns out. Once again, McMillan limns endearing characters, enviable friendships, and memorable scenes that chart the less-than-pleasant, if strangely rewarding, aging process. Critics agree that McMillan's strength lies in capturing the everyday dramas of how people really think, live, and examine (or choose no
...more
I was very interested in this book having personally just emerged from a personal epiphany which caused the interruption of everything in my life. Just started the book, but so far so good. It's been a long time since I've read Terry McMillan, so I have to re-adjust to her style which is sometimes hard to follow especially the verbal put-downs among characters who really are good friends...not necessarily a bad thing, but the dynamic takes some getting used to.
Finished the book. It was sometimes...more
Finished the book. It was sometimes...more
I don't know about Terry. Her women characters are crappy friends. They're always the first to put their friends down and so full of insults for each other.
The first 2/3 of the book was filled with so much complaining and criticisms that the only reason why I decided to continue on was that it's on my Kobo e-reader.
When the sisters, Marilyn and Joy, have their bonding moment it brought the novel some redeeming qualities. And the subsequent happenings with Joy all of a sudden made it a page tur...more
The first 2/3 of the book was filled with so much complaining and criticisms that the only reason why I decided to continue on was that it's on my Kobo e-reader.
When the sisters, Marilyn and Joy, have their bonding moment it brought the novel some redeeming qualities. And the subsequent happenings with Joy all of a sudden made it a page tur...more
Empty nest syndrome, midlife crises, the "change", family issues, loneliness, and just plain boredom creep into all of our lives at one point in time or another, but it seems that the forties are riddled with these issues. Marilyn Grimes is no different from any other woman in her forties and as we get a peak into the issues of her life, we learn that those of us who are facing the same issues are not alone. Terry McMillan creates real characters and places them in real-life situations, making t...more
This book was tough because the beginning was sooooo slow. 'Stuff' doesn't start to happen until about page 100, and the book was only about 350 pages. But when it did finally pick up, it was an easy read. It has a lot of McMillan themes weaved into the book, like a trip to reconnect with self - screaming "How Stella got her Groove Back." Then, there was the cliche super God connected character, the person who never does anything wrong, the sibling who is a hot mess from beginning to end, etc. I...more
The thing I really liked about this book was the depiction of real-life events and scenarios. All of the plot twists in this book seemed just like REAL LIFE. Nothing fancy, nothing super-crazy - just the story of how one woman deals with the crap that life throws at her, in a very honest and everyday kind of way. The characters were a little 2-dimensional and sterotypical for my taste at times, but the story kept flowing and wrapped up neatly with a little happy bow at the end. Loved the dialogu...more
I said I wasn't going to do it this year, but I did it anyway: I read, cover to cover, a seriously flawed book. Every plot point, every character, every setting, screamed cliche, cliche, cliche. Yet I kept reading. Why? I never do this. All I can figure is it was the main character's midlife struggles and the family's African American-ness that kept me tuned in to the last page.
The truth is that the whole book was really a bad fictionalized version of Dr. Phil-like advice about menopause and ma...more
The truth is that the whole book was really a bad fictionalized version of Dr. Phil-like advice about menopause and ma...more
Read about 40 pages and although it wasn't really bad, I simply wasn't interested in the problems of Marilyn.
Her annoyance over her mother-in-law, the missing spark in her marriage to Leon, her woman-talk with her girlfriends, her question if she is in meno-pause or really pregnant...
If there weren't so many other books on my shelves waiting to be read I might have taken the time to finish it. But right now I'm rather in the mood for 'if you're not hooked after the certain amount of pages - don...more
Her annoyance over her mother-in-law, the missing spark in her marriage to Leon, her woman-talk with her girlfriends, her question if she is in meno-pause or really pregnant...
If there weren't so many other books on my shelves waiting to be read I might have taken the time to finish it. But right now I'm rather in the mood for 'if you're not hooked after the certain amount of pages - don...more
*Rating Factors*
Did I like the book: Yes
Would I read it again: No
Will I recommend it to friends: No
Was there anything special about the book: No
This is not a genre of book I choose to read very often because I have a hard time relating to the language and seeming lack of respect that African American women show when talking to each other. The story wasn't anything new: Man Cheats on Wife, Wife Reprioritizes Life. I just wasn't a fan of the way this author chose to repackage her version of this t...more
Did I like the book: Yes
Would I read it again: No
Will I recommend it to friends: No
Was there anything special about the book: No
This is not a genre of book I choose to read very often because I have a hard time relating to the language and seeming lack of respect that African American women show when talking to each other. The story wasn't anything new: Man Cheats on Wife, Wife Reprioritizes Life. I just wasn't a fan of the way this author chose to repackage her version of this t...more
Hilarious...I totally realted to this book and couldn't put it down. With the 'change' in my own life and realities of disaster, I thought this was the funniest book about what can happen in one's lifetime. If I weren't such a book hound then I'd already have started this one over again because it was such a wonderful adventure. It will be one that I revisit often...if not for anything but for laughs and encouragement!!!
This author knows what she's doing and I was drawn into the character's live...more
This author knows what she's doing and I was drawn into the character's live...more
An enjoyable read. The novel is funny, laced with witty dialogue, great subplots, a few surprises, and unforgettable characters, especially her niece and her mother-in-law, Athurine. Her relationship with Authurine (mother-in-law) and eventually Prezelle, was endearing. She went to church with her and they held hands, she bought new modern jogging suits for her to walk the malls and look good for her boyfriend. I loved it! But, I wanted to know more about the relationship between Marilyn and Gor...more
Okay JuJu Tree
If you want a good weekend read where you journey with the sistas...this is a good option. It is about middle aged black women and the typical crises they face at the change of life.
I had a good time with this group of dear friends who understood sista-hood. I liked the essense of thier friendship which was about being there when you are needed. Woven into the story is how much we juggle at this age.... marraige, hormones, aging parents and dysfunctional siblings...it's all there...more
If you want a good weekend read where you journey with the sistas...this is a good option. It is about middle aged black women and the typical crises they face at the change of life.
I had a good time with this group of dear friends who understood sista-hood. I liked the essense of thier friendship which was about being there when you are needed. Woven into the story is how much we juggle at this age.... marraige, hormones, aging parents and dysfunctional siblings...it's all there...more
Uno se conecta de inmediato con esta mujer casada y paciente; que se encuentra en una encrucijada en su vida. Una mujer que vive en California y va a las mismas tiendas que uno va. Una mujer que tiene una hermana problem��tica; una suegra entrometida y un marido a punto de entrar en la crisis de la mediana edad. Mucho tiempo despu��s uno se da cuenta de que la mujer es negra y eso en lugar de ser una sorpresa; es una gran alegr��a: no importa la raza; todas tenemos el mismo coraz��n.
[from Public Library]
Another first-person Family Reality story, as mid-forties, wife and mother, daughter and daughter-in-law Marilyn Grimes has to deal with emotional and physical problems that threaten her lifestyle (although she hasn't been too happy with the status quo).
McMillan is a master at first-person voice (Think Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got her Groove Back, both of which were successful movies). This is no exception. Great characterization and dialogue.
Another first-person Family Reality story, as mid-forties, wife and mother, daughter and daughter-in-law Marilyn Grimes has to deal with emotional and physical problems that threaten her lifestyle (although she hasn't been too happy with the status quo).
McMillan is a master at first-person voice (Think Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got her Groove Back, both of which were successful movies). This is no exception. Great characterization and dialogue.
The story was engaging, like a soap opera is. I found myself wanting to read the book, to see what happened next. However, like a soap opera, the characters were pretty bland and unidimensional. Bad husband, good wife. There wasn't much depth to the plot or characters. Some of the dialogue seemed like it should really be a monologue, because the second speaker had no role. I think the author had messages here and tried to build a story around them.
I got this book for free, normally would not have selected it as a read (although I occasionally throw in some chic-lit or equivalent frivolity). My thought throughout was that man, does Terry mcMillan hate men and/or she has really been screwed over by them and can't get over it. The men are all going through mid-life crises and the women are all finding themselves - double standard? Still, it made me chuckle a bit and it flowed.
This book started out slow for me and I put it down and picked it back up a few months later to finish it. I hate the way the book ends. I don't understand why the author put Gordon in as a character to flirt with her and they never hook up. Although he was her first husband they had a better connection then her stupid husband. Her friends got on my last nerves with the way the talked to each other. It was ok.
"I think I finally get it. You don't have to give everything to own your life. And you dont have to give everything you own to fuel someone else's. This time around I'm not going to pretend I'm the quarterback or the goalie or the last handoff in a relay or the referee. I'm just an older more experienced member of the team who wants to do her part to make sure we all win." (Page 334)
This was my first Terry McMillan book. This was a story about a woman who took care of her family and forgot about herself, until one day she hit rock bottom and had to find herself. The main character's name Marilyn Grimes. This woman's story was not unique, women need to learn to take care of themselves first, instead of taking care of everyone else.
Maybe this book is one that I couldn't connect with because it's about menopause and midlife crisis. I started the book because my aunt said it was really good. The only reason I finished it is because I kept waiting for the excitement or turn around but it never came. My aunt is older so maybe she could relate to the characters better. I just found it very boring.
Aug 06, 2011
Ang
added it
Loved Marilyn and related to her in more ways I am comfortable admitting. How is it that once we become wives and mothers, WE cease to exist or to have interests to explore, etc. (sigh...) But poor Marilyn was faced with one thing after another after another in this book and she handled it all with surprising grace. A good, quick read.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Terry McMillan is an African-American author. Her interest in books comes from working at a library when she was sixteen. She received her BA in journalism in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley. Her work is characterized by strong female protagonists.
Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remai...more
More about Terry McMillan...
Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remai...more
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
Jun 24, 2009 08:49pm