Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

In Fly Away Home, Sylvie learns that her husband, the senator, has been having an extramarital affair. She was the perfect politician's wife and has built her life entirely around his career. Now, she refuses to stand by his side and goes away to think things over. Meanwhile her adult daughters Lizzie and Diana are facing struggles of their own. Lizzie, a slightly unstable former addict, is on the slow rocky road to recovery, but continues to find trouble around every corner. Diana, an ER physician, is having her own marital problems and gives into temptation. When the news of the affair dies down, the three women, who haven't been too close over the years, huddle together to try to find solace in each other.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It drew me in right away and I didn't want to put it down. I just loved the way the story was structured. It was written in alternating chapters between Sylvie, Diane and Lizzie, which was a perfect fit for this storyline. In some ways, it felt like three short stories strung together by a common denominator; the senator and his affair. That connection made them work together in one cohesive unit.

I could have read a whole book on each of these characters. I loved them all. Sylvie poured everything she had into her husband's life and career and didn't seem to have much left for herself. It was amazing to watch her change as the book progressed. The references to real-life politician sex scandals made her plight current and real. Poor Lizzie just couldn't catch a break. I really wanted things to turn around for her. Diana really got to me, too. The pain she felt over her marriage woes broke my heart.

At first, I was a little leery about the book. I don't typically read women's fiction. I had read another book by Weiner, In Her Shoes and didn't love it. ( my review). I was worried that the book was going to be more of the same. Having said that, I've heard such good things about this author that I really wanted to give her another try. I'm so glad I did. I liked this book considerably more than the last one I read.

Favourite quotes:

...what [Lizzie] was in search of was what all the photographers she most admired had been after: not beauty, which was easy, but truth. (page 86)

New word Alert:
irascible (page 105): irritable

Highly recommended.

For more information about this book or to browse inside, please visit Simon & Schuster's website.

For more information about the author and her other books, please visit Jennifer Weiner's website.

I'd like to thank Christine over at at Edwards Magazine Bookclub and those nice people at Simon & Schuster for this review copy.

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner, Atria Books (Simon & Schuster), ©2010. ISBN 9780743294270 (Hardcover), 397p.