Review: This One Is Mine

Violet Parry is a former television writer married to a music mogul.  Violet used to be so organized and efficient, David dubbed her Ultra-Violet.  Since the birth of their baby something has happened – she has lost her focus, gained weight and seems lost.  David isn’t being very nice or understanding and their relationship seems to be deteriorating when Violet happens upon Teddy, a struggling musician who is nothing but trouble. She tries to start an affair with him, but their relationship ends up being much more complicated than that.

In the meantime, David’s diabetic sister, Sally is on the hunt for a wealthy husband.  She is introduced to Jeremy, who was an uncanny ability to predict the outcome of sporting events and looks to be the next great sportscaster.  After months of finagling, she gets him to ask her to marry him.

David goes on a yoga retreat and realizes that he is not treating Violet well and that he really does love her and wants their marriage to work.  He returns home a new man.  He makes more of an effort with Violet and suggests Sally get married in their home.  Everything that can possibly go wrong at the wedding does.

This One Is Mine by Maria Semple is the story of a family trying to work things out, sometimes with disastrous results.  Are David’s efforts too little, too late?  There is no fairy tale ending, but they do come to a place they can all live with.   I thought this was an enjoyable read that is good, but not great.  Since the characters in the book were so superficial and self-absorbed, it did make me think about what I value in life and about the fact that happiness comes from within.  This book does contain sexual situations and adult language.

Maria Semple is a former television writer, working on shows like Arrested Development and Mad About You.  She is currently at work on her second novel.  Maria was be featured on Blog Talk Radio.  Click here to listen to the show.