Book Review: Roxy by Esther Gerritsen, Trans by Michele Hutchison

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book from Atria Books, via Edelweissplus,  free of charge, for review purposes on this blog. No compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own



                      And now for something different- a translated Dutch book!

Synopsis:

Roxy’s life is turned upside down when her husband is killed in a car crash, his naked body found entangled with his lover’s. Twenty-seven-year-old Roxy is left behind with their daughter, her husband’s personal assistant, and their babysitter to come to terms with this shameful end to her marriage. Looking to break free from her grief, Roxy takes the three of them on an impromptu road trip filled with darkly humorous observations about loss, parental responsibility, and the expiration date of love. Through masterful dialogues and in her trademark lucid style, Gerritsen introduces the reader to a woman whose response to grief both shocks and endears.

Review:

We've all been there- where everything just seems to smother you and you want to run away, but you have responsibilities- should you or shouldn't you? In this book, Roxy takes advantage of her shock and everyone's grief to do the unthinkable, to come to terms with not only her husband's lies, but with her new life, and what it will be. Roxy is a character that you'll take turns wanting to put on some serious psych meds, or shaking and yelling at her to get it together, but you'll understand WHY she acts like she does, and the book's quirkiness will stay with you for awhile. If you're looking for something different, this is it!

About the Author

Esther Gerritsen (1972) is a Dutch novelist, columnist, and playwright. She made her literary debut in 2000. She is one of the most widely read and highly praised authors in the Netherlands, and makes regular appearances on radio programs and at international literary festivals, such as Litquake and Wordfest.

About the Translator:

I grew up in the UK and moved to Amsterdam in 2004. Most of my career has been spent in the publishing industry where I worked as an editor for a number of years. I've translated around twenty Dutch books into English and one French book, and when I'm not translating I'm blogging for www.FindingDutchland.com. Together with Rina Mae Acosta, Im the author of THE HAPPIEST KIDS IN THE WORLD: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less.