I quite like the way Lionel Shriver writes, and because sometimes she can be a bit too heavy I tend to space out the books by her in my reading list. But I do enjoy them.
I picked up The Motion of the Body Through Space sometime back and added it to my library, but I started reading it only recently, when I decided I needed a break from my crime books. Even them can get too much sometimes.
Although I really enjoyed the book sometimes it did get a bit too preachy and heavy for me. I don’t like ti when I need to force myself to push through reading a page, but I did do it for her because I knew (from past experience) that once you get over those difficult passages, some entertaining ones will follow for sure.
So you understand a bit my feedback the setup of the story is around a woman in her 60s, Serenata, who has always been devoted to extreme fitness, but must stop her running and intense exercise due to very bad knee issues.
Remington, the husband, has never been interested in exercise, forced to retire early due to some problems at work, he becomes obsessed with fitness competitions, he begins with a marathon, and after a very demanding race, MettleMan.
For a sedentary person like me to read about the effects on the body of too much exercise it was comforting, although I am not lying to myself I know that sitting on a chair or the couch can have very bad consequences also, just different.
Seems like, once again, balance in everything is key, anyway I digress.
The conflict in the story come from the change in Remington’s life style, and more importantly, beliefs. Serenata is frustrated by this change, her own loss of physical ability and the distancing of her husband.
All of these are described beautifully by Lionel Shriver and sometimes, despite the sadness of the situation, you cannot but smile.
The way their children are described is also interesting and at times interesting.
I enjoyed reading the book and I even recommended it, but by no means I can say that it will be able to keep your attention throughout, or maybe it will and the inability lies with me, some times it is difficult for me to focus when the theoretical stuff just goes wild and the story stalls.
It is a book that makes think about your current choices and what you invest your time in, as there may come and age where you look back and think that maybe you could have used your time, and attention, in a more meaningful manner for yourself.
If you do (did) read it, please let me know what you thought, I am curious to find out your thoughts.
Happy reading all!