Indiscretion: A Novel by Charles Dubow

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Harry and Madeleine Winslow have been blessed with talent, money, and charm.  Harry is a National Book Award-winning author.  Madeleine is a woman of sublime beauty and grace.  The Winslows play host to a coterie of close friends and acolytes eager to bask in their golden radiance, whether they are in their bucolic East Hampton cottage, abroad in Rome, or in their comfortable Manhattan brownstone.

One weekend, Harry and Maddy meet Claire, who eagerly falls into their welcoming orbit.  But soon her reverence transforms into a dangerous desire, and she no longer remains one of their hangers-on.

A story of love, lust, deception, and betrayal as seen through the omniscient eyes of Maddy's childhood friend Walter, a narrator akin to Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, Indiscretion is an irresistibly sensual page-turner.

my thoughts:

Riveting!  This book had me hooked from the first page and would not let me go.  I found myself staying up all night reading it and almost getting to the end (which of course got me mad that I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer - darn sleep!).  Of course the next day at lunch I devoured the final pages and just couldn't stop thinking about it.  The love, betrayal, loss, and sadness within this book just really hit me hard.  I found myself smiling as I read about this golden married couple, The Winslows - they were smart, successful, happy, and so in love.  That when I read about the infidelity, I got so angry and hurt - I felt for Maddy and the unraveling of her family.  And, when I read the end I just cried and cried - I was beyond sad.  Even now, as I write this post, I'm not sure what to write, except that I loved this book. Its a book that you must read in order to experience the full measure of happiness, anger, hurt, and sadness that make this story so unputdownable. 

Indiscretion lured me in with Walter's vivid, detailed descriptions and revelations - he had this voice that just engaged me from the start.  I couldn't help but get caught up in his narration of this timeless tale of love, betrayal, and tragedy.  In fact, I almost felt as if I'd heard this story before, only with different characters - it was familiar and old.  Except that Dubow's writing made it different somehow - he made you fall in love with Maddy, Harry, Johnny, and Walter.  And, he made you feel as if you were the only one privy to these secrets, these truths that Walter was sharing.  Dubow writes in such an intimate manner, you feel almost like a voyeur as you read certain scenes, but you can't help but keep reading.  After all, who doesn't love a bit of gossip, a bit of sex, and family drama - especially, when it isn't happening to you.  Of course, the tragedy at the end just breaks your heart and you wish you weren't reading about it, but by then you are so deep in the book - what can you do, but keep turning pages.

I would most definitely recommend Charles Dubow's Indiscretion to everyone - it is a book that will sweep you away with its excellent storytelling!  

Here's the TLC Book tour schedule: Indiscretion.  Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!!