A
story of love and loss, lies and truth, begins in Rome when Nicole shares a
cappuccino and cornetto with her Italian tutor. The meeting sets off a chain of
events that upends the course of her life. While Rome also brings deep
friendships and immersion into a sumptuous food scene there is no escape from
acknowledging the consequences of her actions. In search of forgiveness and
healing, she moves to an island near her childhood home in Seattle only to find
the way to reunite the remnants of her family and discover her true path is to
return to Rome and face the past.
A riveting tale of a marriage, a life, and the complexities of both.
The Measure of Life by Judith Works was an emotional and compelling story of one woman's life, marriage, complex family relationships, and living as an expat in Rome before returning to the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Nicole Carlisle is relatable; she makes mistakes, has unfulfilled dreams, disappointments, and is completely human in her hopes and desires. Her story is mesmerizing and one I won't soon forget.
Nicole married Martin Carlisle, a handsome widower 18 years her senior, just after completing her first year in college, abandoning her still unformed plans and undecided future. She fell in love, perhaps, with the idea of love and a ready-made life as a wife and mother. He may have been looking for a housekeeper/babysitter and someone young and inexperienced enough to blithely accept his complete control and guidance. A baby soon followed, and there was an opportunity for him to advance in his career with a defense contractor by being promoted to a job in their Rome office. Ignored and left to her own devices, caring for the home and children, Nicole falls into an affair and has a child with her Italian language tutor. She and Martin stay together, her for the children and support, and he for the convenience and the status quo until those children grow up and leave home, and she decides it's time for her to build a new life of her own.
The author's writing is wonderful, and the story is compelling to read. I was quickly and completely wrapped up in Nicole's life. There is romance, heartbreak, mystery, and the complicated emotions that come when life encounters tough situations and hard choices. She is very relatable as she deals with real-life issues such as her loveless marriage, aging parents, and complex relationships with her now-adult children. I did not want to put the book down!
I recommend THE MEASURE OF LIFE to readers of women's
fiction and family dramas.
Thank you for hosting and reviewing today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good review!!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe blurb and excerpt sound good.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteWhat snacks fuels your writing sessions?
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