Author: Alison Lurie
Published:1999
Acclaimed:Hailed by USA Today, Newsweek
Genre:Fiction-Novel
Recognition:---
My Rating:Great Lang., okay plot, must have patience to read this book

    In an attempt to capture the true essence of two American academics finding their love in a place where they least expected, Alison Lurie wrote Foreign Affairs. Both professors are on leave to complete research in London, where they unpredictably find an extreme attraction towards people whom they would have never seen themselves with in a million years. Their loneliness and naivete push them further into their relationships, and in the end they find themselves on the same path of love and passion.
    Newsweek, USA Today, and many more have christened this novel a "jewel," "ingenious and touching:" among many other phrases of praise. I must agree that some parts throughout the novel were "funny" however, I would not go so far as to tell everyone to read this book. If you have patience, and much time, by all means sit down and take this book up. In some respects, the book is slow moving and the main character, Virginia, spends much time contemplating her loneliness and if she should pursue some sort of relationship with this bumbling American. The first six chapters can, at times, seem to be trying and may leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth, but by the 159th page, things seem to begin to pick up pace.
    If vivid descriptions, and thorough character development and analysis are what you are looking for then Lurie's book is just for you. Her constant flashbacks to earlier years or days as well as use of the first person provide the reader with an in-depth character analysis. It is her graceful use of language and syntax that prove this book to be somewhat of a "masterpiece." The plot, having potential, however dull, is made up through the poised language of the novel.
    In the end, it is the plot that must interest us, and keep us plowing through the book, however good or bad the language may be, this novel lacks the up-beat plot to keep the average person interested for a long time.