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5 Minutes for Books: Matrimony

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Whenever I go a while without reading fiction (pushing it aside for memoir generally), I end up asking myself what I was thinking. Especially when I read beautifully-written literary fiction like Joshua Henkin’s Matrimony.

I would suspect that those who are lukewarm about this book do not generally enjoy character-driven literary fiction. I would not recommend this book to fans of thrillers or suspenseful who-done-its, but if you like the slower pace and thoughtful style of literary fiction, Matrimony won’t disappoint.

But this is not simply a character novel. It is character-driven, but there is also a definite plot. We care about what happens to the characters, and the author successfully tells the story of Mia and Julian, Carter, and even the ancillary characters. The ends are tied up, but not so neatly that it doesn’t seem real.

This book is about real-life. We follow a real marriage (several of them actually), and through that experience the themes of friendship, aging, loss, forgiveness, and identity, which all come into play as we live out our own marriages.

This novel, just like real-life, doesn’t always contain a lot of drama. Good things happen, bad things happen, and through it all life goes on. That said, it’s not so real that it’s depressing. A friend of mine who prefers sit-coms to reality television or drama often quips, “My life is real enough.” Fiction should transport us to another world, and this book does that. The characters of Mia, Julian, Carter as well as the minor characters like Julian’s parents and Mia’s family and professor Wainwright quickly enter the reader’s subconscious, which drives you to read page after page wondering how it will turn out.

Another feature that adds to my enjoyment of a novel is a strong setting, and this one delivers by incorporating two characters: New York City and the distinct feel of a college town.

Read more about the book and the author at joshuahenkin.com. Read a related guest post about book groups from the author at 5 Minutes for Books.

Would you like to win a personally autographed copy? Leave a comment here. We’ll announce the winner in December 15’s column.

This contest is open to anyone in the world! Due to legal restrictions, this promotion is not available in Arizona or Quebec. Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules.

The winners of Too Many Toys are #101 Diane S., #165 Jayne, #65 Maja.

Reader Interactions


123 Comments

  5. I have enough of choas, twisted plots and mysteries for a while so this Matrimony story may have a calming effect.

  6. What a great book for me. I’ve been married for over 25 years and continue to learn new things.

  15. Thanks for posting such a clear review – I prefer books that reflect real life, so “Matrimony” should be something I’ll really enjoy.

  20. I would definitely love to win a personally autographed copy of this novel. It sounds like a great read and I really hope I will get the chance to read it by winning it. This is a great giveaway. Thanks.

  30. This sounds like a wonderful book. I’m usually like that, I will read mostly fiction books, until I run out of them, and usually I come across really great non-fiction books, and I’m not sure why I usually stir away from them. I’ve never heard of this book, but you’ve peeked my interest! 😉

  47. I have always loved books that contain the day to day happenings of domestic life!
    smchester at gmail dot com

  50. I am a bookaholic, this sounds like a great one to cure my cravings…thanks for the chance…

  56. With endorsements from the likes of Michael Cunningham and Janet Maslin, and a comparison to John Cheever, this is a book I really have to read. Winning it would make that easier!

  63. You can never be introduced to too many new and good authors..sounds like a great discovery.

  71. This actually sounds like a book that I would really enjoy. I like the slower-paced, character-driven, slice-of-life type of books, so this sounds perfect for me.
    Alicia Webster
    [email protected]

  80. I haven’t read any fiction in quite some time and I know I’m missing out! This one sounds like a “goodie” so please do count me in. I love character-driven tales.

  83. This sounds like a delightful read. My brain is full of murder and mayhem, and plots and secret societies. I think it would be a good time for some real life character driven reading! 😉

    Lalycairn (at) gmail.com

  92. Thanks for offering this one up. Throw my name into the hat with all of these other avid readers, please. Good luck to everyone!

  100. I would love to be able to read a book that doesn’t involve counting, colors and such, a little quiet time and a good book

  116. I’ve heard so much about his one – I would love to win it! And don’t you just love that cover?

  117. Sounds like a possible choice for our next book club read. Thanks for the review and the chance to win!