The Couples
by Forrest Dunbar reviewed by a member of staff
A clever
piece of characterisation, if somewhat stereotypical. We are introduced to
three sets of neighbours, two distinguished by their religion: Catholic and
Jewish and the third main couple, Clifford and Christine.
We follow
their lives through suburbia, Christine a psychiatrist, who has recovered from
illness to recommence her home counselling, is neighbour, friend and counsellor
to the other two women in the novel, Lydia a menopausal woman who is married to
a stingy, unappreciative Jewish husband. Sarah, who is living with her devout
Catholic boyfriend. For obvious reasons she feels neglected and unloved.
Clifford and Christine, however have a successful loving relationship. They try
their best to support and generate goodwill between the three sets of
neighbours putting up with their nuances.
The farce
unfurls and we are faced with some very comedic situations, relationships
become tense and strained, with a smattering of infidelity. With an overall undertone
of goodwill, I laughed out loud on several occasions!
A competent
first attempt at comedy by someone so young. Three cheers for Forrest!
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