Chloe Zhivago's Recipe For Marriage

Chloe Zhivago is a wife, mother of two, and a therapist. During a session one day a patient tells her that she isn’t sure she wants to get married because she can’t imagine giving up her freedoms and never sleeping with another man ever again. This starts the wheels turning in 43-year old Chloe’s mind.

Chloe’s husband Greg is so scared of falling victim to Alzheimer’s that he is always hiding things from himself to keep his mind sharp, but doesn’t seem to have any interest in Chloe as a woman in anymore. Their daughter is quickly becoming a young woman and their son is going through his difficult teen years and trying to find himself. And don’t forget their anorexic cat, Janet! All of these things that Chloe just viewed as normal suddenly seem to be overwhelming and Chloe begins to wonder what purpose she is really serving at this point in her life. Then, along comes a very handsome Russian whom Chloe is wildly attracted to. Now Chloe must decide between the life she knows and the mystery of a life with sexy Ivan!

In the beginning, this book has the potential to make the reader question his or her own station in life. As the tale unfolds though, it also has the ability to help remind the reader that the grass is always greener on the other side! Chloe is a very intelligent woman but she still needs the reassurance and attention that all people need at some time and this book is from a realistic perspective in how different people deal with that need.

The quirky characters and situations in this book make for some very humorous moments, such as Greg looking for the teakettle in the dryer. But there are also some very emotional scenes that had this reviewer reaching for the tissues. Watching Chloe take all of these situations in stride is quite inspiring!

There are also recipes included in most of the chapters for whatever dish the characters happen to be having, or a theoretical recipe for whatever situation Chloe has landed herself in.

Ms. Lichtenstein has written a fantastic book for the modern woman (textual intercourse?!) and this reviewer highly recommends it for any woman who has ever felt less than appreciated!

August 2007