Love & Other Infidelities

by Helen Townsend

Love & Other 1 (MIRA) Helen Townsend

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2008

About the author

Born in 1947, Helen Townsend was educated in Melbourne and Sydney and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from Sydney University in 1968.

She worked as a researcher in the Health Department of ABC radio and television for ten years, before becoming a full-time writer. Her many projects since have included the position of researcher for the 1990 ABC/Film Australia documentary of her book Baby Boomers, writer/researcher of a one-hour documentary on Antarctica for Channel 7, researcher for the First State 88 Bicentennial Transport Exhibition and story researcher for the film Phar Lap, among others. The National Times, The Sun Herald, Woman's Day and Cleo have all counted Helen as a freelance contributor. She was also the writer of Australia's first internet soap, 'Friday's Beach', shown on the Microsoft network.

Helen has had 17 books published including Turning Point (1996), Real Men (1994), Heroic Measures (1993), Baby Crazy (1990), Baby Boomers Growing up in Australia in the 1940s, '50s and '60s (1988), Adult Children and Their Elderly Parents (1989) and Balancing Act.

She is married to Steve and has three children, Sophie, Lewis and Patrick. Helen's particular interests are literature, history and social issues.

Reviews

[LadySG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be alone in really enjoying this book. It's basically a catalogue of one marriage over a 19-20 year period and tells the story from both Susan's and Martin's perspectives and also from those of their friends and family on the outside looking in. We learn little of the ancillary characters' lives, but just enough to flesh them out somewhat.

My main criticism is that although the narrative tells of many different viewpoints, the tone is all the same - whether we're hearing from Susan's father or her young son the story is told through the author's voice rather than that of the character. You get a sense of their personalities through the events they relate rather than because their personalities are fleshed out in any way.

It's not humorous, uplifting or particularly exciting, it's interesting to follow and see what transpires and there is a short epilogue telling what becomes of everyone after the story finishes.

On the whole a good read as an alternative to chick lit for holidays and travel or those times when you want something easy to pick up and get on with.

[Shanti Timalsina · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved different aspects of the same story. Sometimes its not the incident but the values and rigidity of person that stands out which complicates the relations. After all its all about perspectives and priority!!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what would motivate anyone to write a book like this. It's the cataloguing of the growth, peak, decline and eventual destruction of a relationship. No happy ending, and it leaves the reader depressed. Obviously, not all books can end happily, but there ought to be at least some poetic tragedy about miserable endings.
I'm not sure I learned that much either. I was frustrated with both of them for just not communicating, at all. If they had talked and co-operated and TRIED to change, it would have worked, but Susan just got more martyr-ish and Martin just got more childish and selfish and they exploded.
I did like it though. While the "action" was neither fast nor furious, and plot twists were nowhere to be seen, the characters were interesting, and I didn't want to put it down. Not sure I'd read it again though.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this though it took me a while to get into the style. It is written in lots of little bites from the positions of several characters. I rather likrd this as it moved the narrative along at a good pace.It also means that you get a view from all sides of the two main protagonists, Martin and Susan. I alternated between liking and loathing them alternately but ultimately coming to the conclusion that as much as I disliked Susan, I disliked Martin more!

[Tiah]

Interesting on the level that there is his truth, her truth and everybody else's perceptions and influences. Marriage beyond just the husband / wife but kids, in-laws, siblings and friends all chipping at it. A bit clichéd including the tired stand-by 'good wife no-like sex' and 'sexually free mistress.' This wasn't staged during the Regency era.

[Olwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s narrative of this marriage is both insightful and heartbreaking. Same goes for the people and relationships that orbit the marriage. It’s not a happy tale, more likely to make you examine your own behaviour in relationships. But it’s a very engaging story just the same. Highly recommended.

[Kiela Joseph]

interesting read which tells you how two people completely in love can fall out of love and hate each other after fifteen years and the simplest things that causes such a wide bridge. compromise and setting expectations is the key because some people hear but don't really listen to their partners. If you don't listen how will you fill the need your mate is lacking? great book

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the way it was told from both the main characters point of view, and then also those around them. Think reading this book would certainly make you think twice about having an affair!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story told from several different character's viewpoints, so you end up empathasing with then all.