Le Divorce

By: Diane Johnson

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Diane Johnson, critically acclaimed author of Le Mariage, has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize during her distinguished career. The best-selling Le Divorce, a witty and insightful look at clashing cultures, was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Isabel Walker has flown to Paris to offer moral support for Roxy, her pregnant stepsister. Roxy's husband, Charles-Henri, favorite son of a powerful French family, is having a love affair. Divorce seems imminent. When her entire family arrives to help with legal issues, Isabel feels intense pressure to keep everything from falling apart. And in the background, the unstable husband of Charles-Henri's lover lurks menacingly.

A resident of both the United States and France, Diane Johnson infuses this shrewd comedy of manners with keen observations about cultural differences. Narrator Suzanne Toren creates a stylish, smart, and sexy Isabel who strives to stay grounded amidst everything Paris has to offer.

©1997 Diane Johnson (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"[A] delightfully urbane social tragicomedy." (Publishers Weekly)

One of my favorite books

I love this book! And have listened to it many times. I love the insights into how the characters are thinking & feeling. And the American vs French perspective. I do not agree that this book should be rated so mediocre. It deserves more than that.

Handsomely read, beautifully told

Diane Johnson's work may not be a masterpiece for the ages, but it will resonate with any reader who has felt the tug of wanderlust, the urge to know and to be known, the delight of another world and contrasting that world with your own. smoothly and richly read by Suzanne Toren, this production is a fine one and recommended for repeat listeners and readers experiencing Le Divorce in a new way. highly enjoyable.

great book, skips

Great book. the audio is old and seems to be poorly edited making it seems to skip the end of some chapters. Narrator is good but really not cast the best as the voice sounds much older than her character. Cest la vie.

A fun romp in France

Okay, this is not high literature. However, the story is well-paced, characters interesting, and the storyline fun. If you are a francophone or francophile, you will appreciate Johnson's view of France, from the perspective of an outsider peering in, trying to come to terms with new customs and a new language. Johnson illuminates differences in American and French attitudes toward life, love, and eating. The reader's French is also superb. It's worth the listen as sheer escapism! :-)

Recording has errors

Something was screwy with the editing of this audiobook; the ends of several chapter were cut off.