Review of The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers
When I first stumbled upon Erin Somers’ The Ten Year Affair, I felt an inexplicable tug—perhaps it was the intriguing title or the promise of an exploration into the complexities of modern marriage. Whatever it was, it pulled me in, and I’m so grateful it did. This book is a beautiful balancing act of humor and poignancy, and as I turned the pages, I found myself wrapped in the warmth of its prose, much like a favorite sweater on a chilly day.
Cora, our protagonist, is refreshingly messy—a character who embodies both the contradictions and realities of womanhood in today’s world. Somers expertly captures the everyday exhaustion that comes with marriage and domestic life, chuckling at the absurdities while laying bare the emotional truths that underpin them. The dual timelines allow us to dwell in Cora’s myriad of experiences—both mundane and electrifying. One moment she’s in the throes of marital routine, and the next, she’s having a secret rendezvous. Somers expresses this with a delightful sharpness:
"During the hour-long drama that she watched with Eliot, she was blowing Sam in the backseat of his car."
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This intertwining of the ordinary and extraordinary felt achingly real. It resonated with anyone who has ever felt trapped in the day-to-day while longing for something more vibrant. While the actual affair could have been the focal point, what truly held my attention was Cora herself—infuriating yet relatable in her quest for fulfillment amidst her daily responsibilities.
In a reflection that struck me deeply, Cora grapples with the burden of being deemed the “good woman”:
"You have a great personality… But couldn’t this one man objectify her?"
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Ah, the weight of expectations. Somers doesn’t shy away from the messy truths of womanhood, expertly illuminating the conflict between societal praise and personal longing. It made me consider how I, too, often wish to be seen for more than my personality or achievements.
The humor in this novel is sharp; Somers skillfully delineates the small indignities of domestic life. One moment made me laugh and ponder simultaneously:
"It would take Cora hours to work up the energy to call a clown."
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Yes! Who hasn’t felt flummoxed by the mundane chores of adulting? It’s these observational details that elevate the narrative, turning it into a meditation on the complexity of life’s choices.
At the heart of Cora and Eliot’s marriage is an exploration of mental health. Somers portrays Eliot’s depression with sensitivity, highlighting the strain it places on their relationship. Instead of presenting affairs as grandiloquent escapades, she illustrates them as a form of mundanity—just another way of navigating through life’s stormy waters.
Set against the backdrop of the Hudson Valley, the social dynamics are captured with such precision that you can almost feel the dinner party chatter and the familiar cycle of gossip:
"You had friends and saw them for dinner… At the end of the night, you lay in bed talking about the other couple."
It’s this intricate mix of the specific and the universal that draws you further into the lives of these characters.
In one of Cora’s revelations, she contemplates a "radical thought" about residing in a single timeline—about simply being present. This profound notion stuck with me. It’s a reminder that in our chase for everything, sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply to inhabit our own lives fully.
The Ten Year Affair is a compelling debut that is smart, funny, and devastatingly honest. I can’t help but consider it a must-read for anyone looking for a raw portrayal of the complexities of modern relationships. Whether you resonate with Cora’s struggles or simply appreciate well-crafted prose, Erin Somers’ novel beckons a conversation—one I’m eager to have with fellow readers. I’m already counting the days until her next work graces the shelves!