Out of the Blue - Softcover

Wolff, Isabel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006513417 ISBN 13: 9780006513414

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2001

Synopsis

The sparkling new novel by the bestselling author of THE TRIALS OF TIFFANY TROTT and THE MAKING OF MINTY MALONE.

Faith has arranged a surprise party at a West London restaurant to celebrate fifteen years of marriage to her publisher husband Peter. They have a lot to be thankful for – including two teenage children and the knowledge that, at thirty-five, they’ve hammered out an enduring partnership that, at this age, many of their contemporaries are only just themselves embarking upon.

But something is niggling at Faith. A casual, barbed comment by her bitchy magazine editor friend Lily makes her wonder whether her world is as wonderful as it seems on the surface. Peter has been behaving slightly oddly recently – but is this purely because of stress at work? Is Faith really too smug and trusting? As the kernel of unease swells and begins to burgeon inside her, Faith finds herself on a quest that leads to a shake-up of everything she holds dear – but which, in the end, enables her to reforge her life.

About this title

Review:

Out of the Blue is a romantic comedy that explores the pressures of marriage in the 21st century. Faith and Peter are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary. On the surface they appear to have it all: a secure, happy relationship; two intelligent teenage children and successful, glamorous careers--he as a publisher and she as a TV weather girl. But a casual comment by her best friend Lily makes Faith wonder if her world is as perfect as it seems. She begins to wonder whether Peter's new, smart look really is because he's looking for a new job and wants to impress prospective employers. As Faith begins to doubt her husband's fidelity, she endeavours to "put all her fears to rest"--checking trouser pockets, scanning mobile phone bills for unfamiliar numbers, examining credit card statements for evidence of secret dates, even hiring a private detective. What ensues is a tale of deceit and self-deceit as she strives to find happiness once again.

Isabel Wolff's third novel is a modern romance with an interesting mix of characters--Faith's perceptive daughter Katie, always at hand to give Freudian insights into her mother's relationships; Lily, an eccentric editor for a top woman's magazine who wants to take Faith away from her "boring little trips to Ikea" and "boring little house"; and the charming but duplicitous Jos, Faith's new love interest, who all add a little spice to the predictable story line. But what the plot lacks in originality, Wolff makes up with writing that is energetic, upbeat and full of humour, making Out of the Blue a novel that should be on the reading list of every thirtysomething woman. --Amy Gallagher

Review:

‘Faith’s sucess as a TV weather girl hinges on making the punters feel comfortable – and a few hours in the company of one of Wolff’s novels generates the same satisfied feeling. Like having a good heart-to-heart with your best friend’. THE MIRROR

‘An unputdownable modern comedy of manners, Out of the Blue tackles love in a long-term relationship in generous and delightfully comic fashion’. HELLO

"If you are looking for a comedy that's a bit dark around the edges, this won't disappoint’. WOMEN’S JOURNAL

Of Isabel Wolff’s previous novels:

‘I absolutely, genuinely loved it... It’s very funny charming, upbeat and unputdownable’
Marian Keyes

‘A hilarious novel’
Independent

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0006513417
• ISBN 13: 9780006513414
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 448