Published January 2012 by Penguin Group
Source: this one belongs to me
Publisher's Summary:
Valentine's weekend, Art and Marion Fowler flee their Cleveland suburb for Niagara Falls, desperate to recoup their losses. Jobless, with their home approaching foreclosure and their marriage on the brink of collapse, Art and Marion liquidate their savings account and book a bridal suite at the Falls' ritziest casino for a second honeymoon. While they sightsee like tourists during the day, at night they risk it all at the roulette wheel to fix their finances-and save their marriage.
My Thoughts:
Financially, Art and Marion got caught in a worst-case scenario, a scenario thousands found themselves in when the bottom fell out of an economy that had made them think anything was possible. In retrospect, certainly they made mistakes, bad, maybe even irresponsible, choices. But it's not the financial choices they made that have put their marriage on the rocks. Art's choice almost cost them their marriage years ago. Despite the fact that she didn't end the marriage years ago, Marion has made Art pay for that choice every day since. Still, it's hard to blame her and easy to imagine yourself feeling the same way if you've been married for a long time.
Set in one of the least "everyday" places on earth, O'Nan has dropped two people with surprisingly everyday problems. We all know people like Art and Marion, people who have experienced everything they have, who have said the kinds of things to each other that they have. Set in a different setting, written by a less skilled author, Art and Marion's story could have been routine. Instead it's a book that will makes it's reader's think, that slowly grows on its readers drawing them into caring about Art and Marion and routing for them to find happiness.
"You couldn't relive your life, skipping the awful parts, without losing what made it worthwhile."Book clubs would find a lot to talk about with The Odds, touching on themes of love, fidelity, forgiveness and hope.
In these days where it's obvious that the financial system is basically geared towards financial slavery / indentured servitude - I can certainly see how this story could actually happen.
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This sounds like an absolute winner. I'm sure I've read a O'Nan before but I can't remember which one. I know it wasn't THIS one though, so I'll be keeping my eyes open for it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one although it's anything but happy, huh? The ending was interesting too.
ReplyDeleteI really like that quote! Sounds like it would make a fabulous book club discussion book :)
ReplyDeleteI read Emily, Alone by O'Nan several months ago and fell in love with this author's writing. His ability to turn domestic minutia into a compelling and tender story has me anxious to read everything on his backlist, The Odds included. Glad to know you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful, I love your description of how the writing drew you in. Have only ever heard good things about his books and sadly have not yet read any - adding to the list.
ReplyDeleteI read this some time ago and enjoyed it - I agree it is a good one for discussion groups.
ReplyDeleteI like that quote.
ReplyDeleteThough not my favorite O'Nan, I still enjoyed this quite a bit. He nailed the Niagara Falls setting!
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