![]() The most promising stories seem to end just as interesting complications begin to arise. Readers seldom are, however: in “The Brunette from Rue Raynouard,” a suspected affair turns out to be sex therapy, and in the “USB Key,” a husband chooses an unusual medium to reveal that he's gay, with predictable results. Similarly, in “The Red Notebook,” a cheating wife bemoans her husband’s staidness, which is a sure sign she’s in for a surprise. Among these is “Hotel Room,” wherein a man drops off a letter ending his passionate liaison moments before the no-tell hotel-and perhaps his mistress-is engulfed in flames. ![]() Henry–esque twist endings that American readers may find a bit old-fashioned. In “The ‘Baby Phone,’ ” a baby monitor permits a hitherto trusting wife to overhear hanky-panky, and in “The Answering Machine,” an unerased message is the harbinger of betrayal. Technology is the petard by which many straying spouses are hoisted: in “The Texts,” a wife opts for feigned ignorance of her husband’s escapades-if only she can resist the temptation to hack his cellphone. In this prolific French novelist’s first short story collection, infidelity is a given, particularly for the male of the species. ![]() ![]() De Rosnay’s stories demonstrate 11 ways to deceive and/or leave your lover. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |