Suzy's Reviews > Midwinter Break

This is a beautifully written story of a couple in the winter of their marriage. Stella and Gerry met in Belfast during the trauma that was The Troubles. They both have and haven't gotten over the incident there that shaped the direction of their lives . . . together and apart. They moved to Glasgow where Gerry worked as an architect, although they are now both retired. They seem completely in sync, anticipating the other's every move and thought, and completely apart as if they were living on separate planets. Stella made a promise to God early in their married life that she has yet to fulfill. Gerry drinks way too much and is in denial about what he needs to do. As with many couples, after so many years together they are in a rut. A trip to Amsterdam post-Christmas holidays gives Stella hope that they can break from this rut and move forward in a better direction, whether together or alone. Midwinter Break has so many meanings to this couple that they are and are not conscious of. Where will this trip to Amsterdam take them? MacLaverty weaves a tale of many layers to answer this question.

I had not heard of this author before although he wrote the book on which the movie Cal is based on, for which Helen Mirrin won Best Actress at the Cannes film festival in 1984. I vaguely remember seeing and liking it, although it was a difficult subject as well.


Why I'm reading this: I recently saw a review of this book and it looks interesting . . . and seasonal! I've not read MacLaverty before.