Heart of the Matter
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**SPOILERS**About the ending: Does anybody else think Nick deserved neither of the women?
Kill the Spare
Aug 26, 2012 09:27AM
He wasn't portrayed as a very nice person even before the affair.. He was kinda rude, ungrateful and all man-pride-ly (If you know what I mean..) The whole Valerie affair seemed pathological. I just don't like the idea of him messing with the lives of two, strong, beautiful women and then **SPOILER ALERT** one of them actually accepting him..
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I agree with you about Nick being portrayed as undeserving even at the start of the book. Though I suppose it boils down to choice at the end of it. Can you live with it if it were you? Do you walk out based on a mistake or do you forgive, and if you do, to what extent? It's been a while since I read this book, but seeing your discussion post made me realize that I still feel upset about how the women were treated :)
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And another thing: In the book, we don't read about ANY-- not one--effort or thing Nick does to contribute to saving and/or changing the state of his marriage to Tessa pre-affair. He didn't help with the kids, the house, nothing. I'm not saying Tessa is perfect and doesn't share any of the blame to the state of their marriage, but SHE TRIED. She asked him questions about his day and tried to spend time with him and be supportive and understanding. He didn't. He was mean and distant and accusatory (typical of liars who a guilty).
I also didn't like during he and Tess' makeup that he made it seam like he wasn't the one who changed at all, that it was all HER. WHAT? No seriously, what the fuck is that? If you were previously a supportive husband, and you are no longer that person in the present, how is that not a change in your character? If you didn't previous lie to your wife and now you do all the time, how is that not a change in character?
Who made the home and children-related decisions when Tessa still had a career? He didn't help at all with that? He's just the same old person? What an asshole. GOD, I hate him. I swear, he's full of shit and did not deserve that simple kicked out of the house for a couple weeks punishment. That was way too generous and soft. Thus, I was not satisfied with the ending. Perhaps I would have been if Nick served penance that was harsher, was equal in severity, for his misdeeds. Bastard.
In my opinion, he wasn't sorry enough. Those crocodile tears he cried when he confessed was meant to manipulate Tess into forgiving him right there and then. I agreed with Tess when she was upset that he didn't fight enough once she asked him to leave.
Furthermore, I thought he was full of shit, bc You don't just come in from having a touching last hoorah (emotionally--tender sweet exchanges of feelings and words) with the mistress you struggled to break up with, because truthfully, you don't actually want to lose her at all, to bawling your eyes out after confessing your infidelity and pledging your love commitment to your wife. NOPE. Nick's confession rang hollow for me.
This is what Nick said to Val when he met her to "end it":
Tessa, when she confronts Valerie:
“Exceptional men don’t cheat on their wives. They don’t have affairs. They don’t put a cheap thrill ahead of their children.”
As I say the words, the paradox of the situation crystallizes in my head. If she was a cheap thrill, then Nick isn’t worth fighting for. But if she is a person of quality for whom he had genuine feelings, then what? Where does that leave me?
“I don’t think that’s what he did,” she says, but I can tell she is wondering, questioning what they had.
“Did he tell you he loved you?”I fire back at her, realizing that this is why I am here.
This is the linchpin for me, everything turning on this one singular fact. He slept with her; he clearly had feelings for her; and I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that he was—maybe still is—in love with her. But if he told her he loved her, or if he told her he didn’t love me, we are finished forever.
I hold my breath, waiting, exhaling as she shakes her head, slowly, emphatically.
“No,” she says. “He didn’t feel the same. He doesn’t love me. He never did. He loves you.”
See? She Val lied. And Tessa failed to ask Nick this too, just to see if he would be honest. She never asked him if he told Val that he loved her. She only asked him if he did love her, in which he proceeded to say he had strong feelings for her and they had to be close to love for him to have cheated her. LIES. Anyway, I'm peeved about this, and angry with Valerie for lying, because it put Tessa in a position where she couldn't make informed decisions bc she didn't get the 100% truth from Val, which she said was instrumental to her decision. That one lie was a REALLY big lie that skewed Tessa's thoughts and opinions significantly.
Nick deserved nothing. He deserved not to have either of them. But let's be honest, he would have acted just like Tessa's father: he would have married the mistress (Val) if Tessa divorced him. And sadly, I don't think Val would have turned him away if he came crawling back. Even after everything--the conversation she had with Tess. As strong as Val is, she's weak in the regard to males too.
I also didn't like during he and Tess' makeup that he made it seam like he wasn't the one who changed at all, that it was all HER. WHAT? No seriously, what the fuck is that? If you were previously a supportive husband, and you are no longer that person in the present, how is that not a change in your character? If you didn't previous lie to your wife and now you do all the time, how is that not a change in character?
Who made the home and children-related decisions when Tessa still had a career? He didn't help at all with that? He's just the same old person? What an asshole. GOD, I hate him. I swear, he's full of shit and did not deserve that simple kicked out of the house for a couple weeks punishment. That was way too generous and soft. Thus, I was not satisfied with the ending. Perhaps I would have been if Nick served penance that was harsher, was equal in severity, for his misdeeds. Bastard.
In my opinion, he wasn't sorry enough. Those crocodile tears he cried when he confessed was meant to manipulate Tess into forgiving him right there and then. I agreed with Tess when she was upset that he didn't fight enough once she asked him to leave.
Furthermore, I thought he was full of shit, bc You don't just come in from having a touching last hoorah (emotionally--tender sweet exchanges of feelings and words) with the mistress you struggled to break up with, because truthfully, you don't actually want to lose her at all, to bawling your eyes out after confessing your infidelity and pledging your love commitment to your wife. NOPE. Nick's confession rang hollow for me.
This is what Nick said to Val when he met her to "end it":
“I’m thinking that I love the way you look and feel and taste. I love the sound of your voice and the way you look at me with those eyes . . . I’m thinking that I love the way you are with Charlie. The way you are”
“Maybe it’s just physical?” she calmly offers, pretending not to be deeply moved by his words.
“No,” he says, shaking his head adamantly. “It’s not a physical thing. It’s not a crush. It’s nothing like that. I love you, Val. It’s the truth. And I’m afraid it will always be true.”
Tessa, when she confronts Valerie:
“Exceptional men don’t cheat on their wives. They don’t have affairs. They don’t put a cheap thrill ahead of their children.”
As I say the words, the paradox of the situation crystallizes in my head. If she was a cheap thrill, then Nick isn’t worth fighting for. But if she is a person of quality for whom he had genuine feelings, then what? Where does that leave me?
“I don’t think that’s what he did,” she says, but I can tell she is wondering, questioning what they had.
“Did he tell you he loved you?”I fire back at her, realizing that this is why I am here.
This is the linchpin for me, everything turning on this one singular fact. He slept with her; he clearly had feelings for her; and I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that he was—maybe still is—in love with her. But if he told her he loved her, or if he told her he didn’t love me, we are finished forever.
I hold my breath, waiting, exhaling as she shakes her head, slowly, emphatically.
“No,” she says. “He didn’t feel the same. He doesn’t love me. He never did. He loves you.”
See? She Val lied. And Tessa failed to ask Nick this too, just to see if he would be honest. She never asked him if he told Val that he loved her. She only asked him if he did love her, in which he proceeded to say he had strong feelings for her and they had to be close to love for him to have cheated her. LIES. Anyway, I'm peeved about this, and angry with Valerie for lying, because it put Tessa in a position where she couldn't make informed decisions bc she didn't get the 100% truth from Val, which she said was instrumental to her decision. That one lie was a REALLY big lie that skewed Tessa's thoughts and opinions significantly.
Nick deserved nothing. He deserved not to have either of them. But let's be honest, he would have acted just like Tessa's father: he would have married the mistress (Val) if Tessa divorced him. And sadly, I don't think Val would have turned him away if he came crawling back. Even after everything--the conversation she had with Tess. As strong as Val is, she's weak in the regard to males too.
I think the book did a great job portraying an affair and how the 2 women involved might feel and be affected. It was tough reading the part where Nick leaves his family alone on Halloween to hang out with his girlfriend and her son. In the end, I couldn't see the book ending any other way than it did unless they would have both dumped him.
I honestly wanted Valerie to end up with him. It was so heartbreaking to see her alone, after everything she's been through. She's a tough woman and nick broke through, making her trust again. I hated the ending sooooo much, but still loved the book.
I hated the ending only because we are not sure why happens to tessa and nick...did they make it work? Hated Valerie!
Here are my lengthy oppinions on the subject:
I'm sorry, don't agree that Valerie wasn't as equally culpable in her and Nick's start of the affair, that she didn't push for it. Less overt action isn't INACTION.
This is a woman who, after receiving her son's married Dr.'s business card, goes on to Google stalk his personal information. to garner his home address and such. Then she puts the effort into actually going into his gated community, his neighborhood, to stake out his home, and then immediately has jealous feelings when she sees the light on in the front room upstairs, that in the end, she presumes to be the bedroom he shares with his wife. She was wishing she was his wife in that moment. A couple days later she's the one masturbating to him while home alone. Valerie knew what she was doing. I didn't read real guilt on her behalf over getting involved and lusting over a man who is married with his own young children. There was no real guilt on her conscience to stop her from imagining a future where it would be her, Nick and Charlie together as one big happy family, no regard at all for the children he already has (She's willing to take their dad away from them for her own son, how selfish after seeing the her son's own pain?!). She allowed herself to get wind up with someone she should have sent home to his wife instead of following through on her growing desperation to have him for herself, bc she's chosen to cut herself off from the world and wallow in her past mistakes and misfortunes, instead of getting out there and showing the world what she has to offer. She didn't work for shit!
Nick of course is the worst asshole in this story, but I'm sorry, Valerie is just as bad. Her first thought when things started feeling inappropriate between her and nick, and the fact that she knew he was lying to his wife,should have been about how it felt when she was in the street and saw Lion kissing that girl those 6 years prior. THAT should have been the conscience and good-person reality check that should have given her a reason to back the fuck up off the married man. It takes two! And while I empathize with how rough it's been to raise her son alone and without a father, she get no sympathy from me for being Nick's accomplice in cheating on his wife. She knows better, has experienced that sort of pain first hand and made the decision early on not to give a fuck. How could a victim of that sort of pain be ok with putting another person through that? It's all on the pages in the book that tells us her inner thoughts. It's pretty black and white in that regard.
What I don't understand is why Valerie lied to Tessa when Tess asked her if Nick ever told her he loved her? Nick tells Val that he loves her when they are in the restaurant when he asks to meet her in the Commons. Why did Val Lie to Tess about that?
I wanted Tess to leave him bc he's scum who didn't suffer not nearly enough for his reckless, selfish, careless actions. He's a liar to the end. Because he too lied to Tess about not being honest about confessing his love to Valerie.
I also don't understand why Tessa didn't ask Val more information about her husband and Val's time together. Find out how many times he left his wife and children at home to go spend time with Val and her son, cooking dinners and having family night and shit. Tess is fool. Ask Nick if he used a condom when he was having sex with Valerie, you know, all the things a wife would need to know before even considering what she would do about her marriage--her husband.
I'm sorry, don't agree that Valerie wasn't as equally culpable in her and Nick's start of the affair, that she didn't push for it. Less overt action isn't INACTION.
This is a woman who, after receiving her son's married Dr.'s business card, goes on to Google stalk his personal information. to garner his home address and such. Then she puts the effort into actually going into his gated community, his neighborhood, to stake out his home, and then immediately has jealous feelings when she sees the light on in the front room upstairs, that in the end, she presumes to be the bedroom he shares with his wife. She was wishing she was his wife in that moment. A couple days later she's the one masturbating to him while home alone. Valerie knew what she was doing. I didn't read real guilt on her behalf over getting involved and lusting over a man who is married with his own young children. There was no real guilt on her conscience to stop her from imagining a future where it would be her, Nick and Charlie together as one big happy family, no regard at all for the children he already has (She's willing to take their dad away from them for her own son, how selfish after seeing the her son's own pain?!). She allowed herself to get wind up with someone she should have sent home to his wife instead of following through on her growing desperation to have him for herself, bc she's chosen to cut herself off from the world and wallow in her past mistakes and misfortunes, instead of getting out there and showing the world what she has to offer. She didn't work for shit!
Nick of course is the worst asshole in this story, but I'm sorry, Valerie is just as bad. Her first thought when things started feeling inappropriate between her and nick, and the fact that she knew he was lying to his wife,should have been about how it felt when she was in the street and saw Lion kissing that girl those 6 years prior. THAT should have been the conscience and good-person reality check that should have given her a reason to back the fuck up off the married man. It takes two! And while I empathize with how rough it's been to raise her son alone and without a father, she get no sympathy from me for being Nick's accomplice in cheating on his wife. She knows better, has experienced that sort of pain first hand and made the decision early on not to give a fuck. How could a victim of that sort of pain be ok with putting another person through that? It's all on the pages in the book that tells us her inner thoughts. It's pretty black and white in that regard.
What I don't understand is why Valerie lied to Tessa when Tess asked her if Nick ever told her he loved her? Nick tells Val that he loves her when they are in the restaurant when he asks to meet her in the Commons. Why did Val Lie to Tess about that?
I wanted Tess to leave him bc he's scum who didn't suffer not nearly enough for his reckless, selfish, careless actions. He's a liar to the end. Because he too lied to Tess about not being honest about confessing his love to Valerie.
I also don't understand why Tessa didn't ask Val more information about her husband and Val's time together. Find out how many times he left his wife and children at home to go spend time with Val and her son, cooking dinners and having family night and shit. Tess is fool. Ask Nick if he used a condom when he was having sex with Valerie, you know, all the things a wife would need to know before even considering what she would do about her marriage--her husband.
Am I the only one who hates that we do not know what happens further to Valerie and Charley? I kinda wanted to see hers ever after, and not just the last thing to be her trying to find the father.. Hmm I want to know more of her story. I am with you Amy. I also kinda hoped it would end perfect for Val and Nick, and that Tess would find another sweet man who loved her as much as Dex loves Rachel and who would therefore not cheat on her
So Amy:
You feel sorry for Valerie and wanted her to end up with Nick because of all she has gone through???
Why should Tessa be the one to give up her husband to a total stranger? Why don't you give up your husband (if you have one) if a similar situation comes along. Would that make you feel better? Maybe one of your friends or family member will volunteer to give up their husbands and have their lives and that of their children torn apart for "poor Valerie".
How did Tessa contribute in any way to "all that poor Valerie has been through"?
Here's a suggestion: Why doesn't Valerie get a husband of her own rather that running shamelessly after someone else's.......poor Valerie!!
You feel sorry for Valerie and wanted her to end up with Nick because of all she has gone through???
Why should Tessa be the one to give up her husband to a total stranger? Why don't you give up your husband (if you have one) if a similar situation comes along. Would that make you feel better? Maybe one of your friends or family member will volunteer to give up their husbands and have their lives and that of their children torn apart for "poor Valerie".
How did Tessa contribute in any way to "all that poor Valerie has been through"?
Here's a suggestion: Why doesn't Valerie get a husband of her own rather that running shamelessly after someone else's.......poor Valerie!!
"Does anybody else think Nick deserved neither of the women? He wasn't portrayed as a very nice person even before the affair.. He was kinda rude, ungrateful and all man-pride-ly" ....
Yes, exactly my point... Regardless of the affair - Nick seemed like a total sleazeball - rude and arrogant to his wife, self centered, etc... He deserved to be ALONE - BOTH women should have dumped him, not fought over him! Did Valerie really think that if he chose her, he would treat her any better than he treated his wife?! That he wouldn't neglect her and Charlie the same way he neglected his wife and kids?!
Yes, exactly my point... Regardless of the affair - Nick seemed like a total sleazeball - rude and arrogant to his wife, self centered, etc... He deserved to be ALONE - BOTH women should have dumped him, not fought over him! Did Valerie really think that if he chose her, he would treat her any better than he treated his wife?! That he wouldn't neglect her and Charlie the same way he neglected his wife and kids?!
At the end of the story Nick tells Tessa that he thought that what he wanted was the feeling of being young (although Valerie was only 5 or so years younger than Tessa). He also said he wanted the feeling of being needed (the feeling of new romance).
Could Valerie not see that as soon as the "newness" of their relationship wore off, Nick would tire of her too. She wasn't the greatest catch in the world. Far from it. Tessa's friends described her as pretty in a "plain" sort of way and she came across to me as very dowdy.
Tessa on the other hand was beautiful and as Valerie said herself "Tessa had grace, something Valerie was born without."
I can certainly understand why Nick realized that Tessa was the one he really wanted. I just wish she had made him suffer a lot longer before she took him back.
Could Valerie not see that as soon as the "newness" of their relationship wore off, Nick would tire of her too. She wasn't the greatest catch in the world. Far from it. Tessa's friends described her as pretty in a "plain" sort of way and she came across to me as very dowdy.
Tessa on the other hand was beautiful and as Valerie said herself "Tessa had grace, something Valerie was born without."
I can certainly understand why Nick realized that Tessa was the one he really wanted. I just wish she had made him suffer a lot longer before she took him back.
My burning question after finishing this book yesterday is why didn't Nick get what he deserved? He was a Doctor who acted very unethically, ultimately hurting Charlie after becoming too involved. Although Val did knowingly cheat with a married man, I still see her as a victim of a very selfish man who acted totally unprofessionally, and I think that he SHOULD have be reported to the Ethics Board as Tessa contemplated towards the end of the book. So the ending was unsatisfactory for me because the doctor seemed to get away scott free, when both Tessa and Val were treated very badly by him.
I agree with you, Tessa should have asked Valerie more information. I understand your view on Valerie, don't understand how in the beginning she stalked him when her son was still in the hospital, her thoughts should hace been only about Charlie. Really felt bad for poor little Charlie he wanted to give Nick a christmas present.
I'm thinking that valerie lied to Tess in the end cause she wanted to feel good about herself, her conscience bothering her. I would have liked to see her thought process.
I thought the ending was rushed, the behavior of both Nick and Valerie seemed out of the blue
I'm thinking that valerie lied to Tess in the end cause she wanted to feel good about herself, her conscience bothering her. I would have liked to see her thought process.
I thought the ending was rushed, the behavior of both Nick and Valerie seemed out of the blue
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