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Title: The Post-Birthday World

Author: Lionel Shriver

Narrator: Laurel Lefkow

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-13-09

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Using a parallel universe structure, we follow Irina's life as it unfolds under the influence of two drastically different men. Lawrence is Irina's partner of nearly 10 years. Ramsey is the ex-husband of a sometime friend, a once-a-year acquaintance to whom Irina has never paid a great deal of attention. Where Lawrence is supportive and devoted; Ramsey is flighty and spontaneous. Lawrence is emotionally withdrawn to the point of repression; Ramsey is fiery and passionate, but volatile.

The contrasts between the two men have ramifications for Irina's relationships with friends and family, for her career as an illustrator, and more importantly, for the texture of her daily life.

Members Reviews:

Confusing unless you know that it's two alternate universes

Because I read Kindle books I can't read the jacket copy, and because I don't usually read reviews I don't spoil a book. I guess I was the only one who read this cold and was completely at sea. I read it because I love Lionel Shriver's writing, and I kept reading even through I was thoroughly confused. One minute she would be married to Ramsey and the next chapter she was cosily sitting on the couch eating popcorn with Lawrence watching Ramsey play snooker. One chapter she won a prestigious prize for children's literature, then in another chapter she lost to her rival. I finished the book because it was written by Lionel Shriver, but I never understood it.

Then I went to Goodreads to read the other reviews posted and found out that seemingly everyone but me had advance notice that the book was an alternative universe with Irina kissing/not kissing Ramsey on his birthday, the pivotal event in her life.

I feel a book should stand on its own, and there is an indication of what it is contained in the book that Irina writes that wins/doesn't win the children's prize. Unfortunately it came too late to rescue the book for me.

A let down

When I read the description of this book I was immediately intrigued and bought it right away. I love the concept of two alternating lives after a decision by the novel's main character, Irina. However, the book unfortunately, did not live up to my expectations. I found the characters irritating and I could not relate to any of them. I also found each chapter very repetitive. When I read multiple chapters in one sitting, I wanted to pull my hair out. When I only read one at a time, it was easier to get through and more enjoyable. The issue with reading many chapters at once, is that each event in the story happens two ways, and reading it both ways gets exhausting at times, especially when the event is not very interesting, which is often. I wanted to give up on this book so many times, but never let myself. The ending was quite beautiful and came together very nicely, but getting there was a definite struggle. I also found it to be way too long. In each chapter I found multiple paragraphs that could be cut out and the story would probably be stronger if they were. Shriver seemed to get side tracked by politics and, for lack of a better word, random anecdotes that really did not matter one bit. The end saved the book for me, and even though I love to concept of the two stories, I would not recommend this book.

I thought it was brilliant

I read the preview the day the book went on sale.