Good morning! It’s Friday again, and time to celebrate the memes that take us within a book’s pages to excerpt and share. Book Beginnings, hosted by A Few More Pages, takes us to the very opening lines, where we showcase what we love (or don’t love) about the books we’re reading. For The Friday 56, hosted by Freda’s Voice , we pick a sentence off of p. 56 to share.
Today I’m spotlighting a book on my reading list for this coming week. The Three Weissmanns of Westport, by Cathleen Schine, is a delightful homage to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and delves into the lives of its characters, with one of them taking off for Westport after being dumped.
Blurb: A geriatric stepfather falls in love with a scheming woman half his age in Schine’s Sense and Sensibility–flecked and compulsively readable follow-up to The New Yorkers. Betty Weissman is 75 when Joseph, her husband of nearly 50 years, announces he’s divorcing her. Soon, Betty moves out of their grand Central Park West apartment and Joseph’s conniving girlfriend, Felicity, moves in. Betty lands in a rundown Westport, Conn., beach cottage, but things quickly get more complicated when Betty’s daughters run into their own problems….
Beginning: When Joseph Weissmann divorced his wife, he was seventy-eight years old and she was seventy-five. He announced his decision in the kitchen of their apartment on the tenth floor of a large, graceful Central Park West building built at the turn of the last century, the original white tiles of the kitchen still gleaming on the walls around them.
Now I feel compelled to keep reading, because this sounds like a story I will love. The old building sounds elegant, as described in the opening lines, and sets the scene for the dramatic announcement. I can almost see the apartment….and the contrast between the “still gleaming” kitchen and the now defunct marriage feels poignant.
P. 56: She glanced at Frederick and saw that he was surrounded by young women and middle-aged men. An interesting demographic. Where did she fit in?
Okay, now I’m curious about what the rest of you have discovered today. I hope you’ll stop by and share….
SNOW SPARKS 
Hmmm, that beginning is interesting. It seems odd that a couple at such an age would get divorce. I’m not saying they might as well stick together because they’re so old, but usually problems tend to come out sooner (I imagine) than that age.
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That’s what I think, too…the early years, the struggles, the parenting issues all seem to be the most difficult.
But then again, what do I know? LOL – I haven’t made it to “old age” with anyone, having opted out much earlier….
Thanks for stopping by, Kristie.
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An interesting time of life to decide on divorce. After adjusting and putting up for 50 years, he suddenly can’t do it any more?
Thanks for stopping by!
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I can’t understand these late-in-life divorces, either…maybe it’s the realization that there isn’t much time left….
Thanks for stopping by, Bev.
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Dang, who divorces at that age! What’s the point by then…It sounds like you’re in for an interesting read…Here’s mine for the week…Happy reading!
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I agree, Tasha…which is why I think this will be fascinating. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi!
That sounds like it would be a great read. I’ll have to check this one out. Love that book cover. Have a great day!
Sherrie
Just Books
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Thanks for stopping by, Sherrie…Yes, the cover captured my interest even before I read the synopsis.
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Sounds like a good one with lots of possibilities! Enjoy
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I agree, Helen…enjoy your weekend, and thanks for stopping by.
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Hmmmm, that Frederick is something else. The ages prove a marriage is never out of the woods no matter how long you’ve been together. I’ve had my eye on this book. I must say the writing is elegant. Enjoy this one.
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You’re right about that, Tea…thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend.
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I love the cover art on this one. It looks so inviting for a relaxing moment. I especially love your new header. Your granchildren are beautiful!!! There ages? Such happy faces! What a precious moment that will last a lifetime. There’s nothing like family. Indeed, you are blessed. We were challenged with 4 little ones under the age of 5 focusing for pictures in between naps and feedings! Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you. Yes, I LOVE having them around! 🙂
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I love capturing these moments, too, especially since we don’t often get the chance to all be together, Lady D.
The four oldest ones are almost 16, and 14. Two boys born in the same month and year, and the same for the two girls. Then there’s a twelve-year-old, and an eight-year-old.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Surely she fits in somewhere, just maybe not there.
Thanks for participating!
Freda @ Freda’s Voice
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Yes, I agree…everyone fits somewhere…thanks for stopping by, Freda.
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I am wondering where she will fit in too! Great 56!
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I’m very eager to learn more, too, Kelsey O. Thanks for stopping by.
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i’ve heard good things about this one. and your sentence is a good teaser.
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Thanks, vvb…glad you could stop by.
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I’ve been wanting to read this one. It really sounds good.
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Thanks, Yvonne…I’m really excited about it….
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What a slap in the face that would be to be divorced after so many years of marriage (unless she was expecting it and happy about it).
Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!
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Yes, Katy, I’m thinking that it was a surprise to this character…but maybe she’ll discover that it was a good thing! Thanks for stopping by.
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Wow, this book sounds very interesting. Thanks for stopping by my blog today for the Friday 56.
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You’re welcome, Janet Ruth…blog visiting is one of my favorite things….and I’m glad you could visit, as well.
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