Disturbing affairs

I must admit that I have never read a book, which has delved so deeply into the topic of affairs and marital relationships. And it certainly was interesting to read about a character going through such issues. Still I must warn you that this novel The Affair really pulls at the emotional heart strings as you are torn between sympathy and outrage.

Bunty Avieson has brought to the page a novel about an affair, with all of its highs and lows. The main character, Nina Wilde is a Canadian married and brought to Australia to start a new life. It is at the most disturbing of times that the memories of an affair she had 10 years ago are brought back to the forefront of her mind and the reader is called to play judge. In a Sydney specialists room, Nina and her husband John are waiting to learn whether the rare, hereditary condition that killed James's father will threaten not only James, but also their much loved son, Luke. "This is just the beginning of Nina's torment"…

Nina has been harbouring a secret for a decade now and it is capable of destroying all that is most important to her…However what is important to her in the present is not what was important to her in the past. It is this jumping from past to present that allows the reader to join with Nina as she reminisces the passionate affair that caught her off guard and is now causing her so much anguish. However more secrets come to fruition over the course of the novel and after a sweet passionate love affair that should never have happened, suddenly Nina is grasping for what might remain of her marriage and her life.

It doesn't end there as more complications come about from the affair…and this is where Avieson really portrays the drama and hurt that comes from such an act. For something that started so innocently… things happen which threaten Nina's happiness in the present. So much more happens though…and of course I can not tell you how thing become more entwined and difficult as that would simply ruin the joy of reading the novel. I must advise though that the end twist is certainly a jaw dropper but is a bit strange.

Bunty Avieson was born and raised in Victoria. She worked for twenty years as a journalist in Australia and Britain. She was editor of Woman's Day and editorial director of New Idea winning three Magazine Publishers Association awards. Her first novel Apartment 255 was a bestseller in Australia and Germany; this is her second novel.

The Affair is an easy but at times disturbing read. It really takes you through the whole rollercoaster of emotions that I can only imagine take over a person's life in such a situation. For something that was so fleeting and which happened so long ago, the consequences are immense and dictate the rest of Nina's life. Your heart does go out to her… however you really do start to wonder if she got what she deserved. Avieson has written this novel with a lot of conviction and really has delved into the many emotions one can have, regret, joy, passion, lust, hurt, pain and so much more. If you are wanting to read a novel which is both capturing and enthralling, then this is the one for you - The Affair is so much more than your average novel. What's more it is set in Sydney, and it is so nice to read a book set in surroundings you know yourself or are familiar with. This book is great for a Sunday afternoon relaxing in the sun.

Michele Perry

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