The Essence of the Thing

In contrast to an American character, who might wallow in self-pity, eat Haagen-Das and plot revenge, Nicola takes the high road when unceremoniously dumped by Jonathan, her live-in lover of five years. Deeply shocked, she maintains her love for him and her belief in herself through the process of finding out what happened, why he's asking her to leave, and accepting the outcome of that process.Madeleine St. John uses realistic and often witty dialogue between peripheral characters to demonstrate how the break up of two people can have an effect on almost everyone they know. Although she writes with a light touch, she explores the relationship dynamics between four other couples while giving play to the fragility of any love relationship. The Essence of the Thing is a quick and entertaining read, but it could not be described as shallow by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm sure that whoever reads the book will want to encounter Ms. St John in person. She's great in depicting character's psychology - so much as we think it's our best friend(s) she's writing about. Certainly great book to read - truthful, sincere and catching...

In this novel of love lost, St. John provides a realistic portrait of a woman unceremoniously dumped. I've been in Nicola's shoes and the range of emotions she experiences is dead on target. St. John accurately captures those lingering feelings of love, the anger, and then the realization that some parts of you are permenently broken after such an experience. Sure, it's a sad sad thing...but St. John incorporates humor and wisdom nicely. I would go so far as to compare it to "Bridget Jones' Diary" although a more serious look at modern love and commitment.

Sometimes I want to read a book that I can finish in one sitting, books that are long enough to allow me to disappear for a few hours in another's life, but don't have to ever have their covers closed until the end. This was one of those books. Beatifully written, succinct, yet filled with rich characterizations, this novel perfectly captures the feeling of being broken up with while also suprisingly giving perspective to the agonies sometimes endured by those doing the deed. Also, it is believable and rooted in everyday life, there is a bit of this story in everyone. Although the subject matter is a bit sad, this book is far from depressing, and is filled with moments of humor and delight. I am not a huge fan of contemporary fiction (often too fantastical or depressing), but books like this one could make me change my mind.

This book is a compact collection of scenes which take place during the end of a relationship, along with remembrances of earlier times. Ms. St. John has a complete grasp of the ebb and flow of dialogue through which she unerringly creates the clear presence of the characters and situation, capturing both the humour and poignancy which the spoken word sometimes achieves. The context is also one to which most readers will undoubtedly find certain resonance from their own experiences. However, despite the book being thoroughly enjoyable, and inducing great appreciation for the craftsmanship, I was left with only the faintest lingering taste of the story after it was finished. That in itself is not necessarily an unpleasant sensation, but do not read this book with the expectation of wrenching, emotional reverberations.