Aphrodite's Workshop for Reluctant Lovers - Marika Cobbold

[bookgazing]

My short review of 'Aphrodite's Workshop for Reluctant Lovers' was originally up at a site called 'Beautifula and Fabulous' but sadly that site no longer exists, so I thought I'd repost it here:

Rebecca Finch, celebrated romance novelist and favoredacolyte of the goddess Aphrodite, has had an epiphany. After accidentally leaving her boyfriend behind on the Eurostar platform, she realizes their promising love affair has degenerated into a constant row. She moves out, but appears unable to move on at the end of this relationship, while her friend's apparent lack of lasting marital affection make her question the existence of romantic love.

Meanwhile Aphrodite, goddess of love, is getting edgy. Divorce is up, lasting love is down and the other goddesses are circling, eager to strip Aphrodite of her exulted status. Love needs all the good PR it can get, so when Rebecca stops writing romances, Aphrodite and her son, Cupid, decide to do what the gods do best, and meddle in her romantic affairs.

'Aphrodite's Workshop for Reluctant Lovers' is a smart look at modern romance. It asks whether it is possible to maintain the core of interest and affection and attraction which brings two people together. It delves into the argument over whether we should continue the search for a love that lasts if we realize we haven't found it with our partner. It engages its readers with the big questions about the love with a firm touch, and an intelligent perspective. (Again, I'm not understanding this & think it needs reworking) Those of us setting out to find true love should take Marika Cobbold's book to fortify us on the trail.

Some short observations:

* it's definitely worth a read because of the sound exploration of ideas on romantic love, and the many appearances of Coco, the sarcastic, imaginary clown

* it is about the most overtly smart piece of chick-lit I've read in ages, which is at many, many points in the books fantastically satisfying

* there was one big area of keeping romantic love alive that I'd love to see the author tackle in her future novels (or find examined in her previous novels)

* I still can't decide whether the ending was the biggest cop out ever or a carefully played stroke

Update: You can see a fuller review in this later post.