Monogamy or the lack of it.
I found the beginning of this book quite interesting even though it was predictable.
But once one of the main characters died unexpectedly, the dialogue became for me turgid, like wading through treacle. I switched to speed reading mode just to get to the end of the book and see if there were any surprises or twists to the tale. But alas there were not.

In these turbulent times a Sue Miller book is salve for the soul. Her gentle narration guides you through the ups and downs of a marriage, the tightrope of parenting and a navigation of grief. Like all of her books this is an immensely satisfying take which I wholeheartedly recommend.

I love Miller’s novels - the domesticity and relationship stories seem simple yet draw you in with their honesty, complexity and truth.
This novel is no exception: the story of Annie and Graham’s marriage fans out into something that questions the very nature of relationships and monogamy.
There is a plot twist - I won’t spoil it - that leaves you reeling.
What is a good marriage? How can we forgive when the other person is not there to question?
I was slowly drawn in to this elegant portrait. Sometimes the characters felt a little predictable and manufactured, but generally I found them nuanced and believable.
Recommended to those who like beautifully observed fiction in the style of Ann Tyler or Margaret Forster.

Monogamy by Sue Miller is an enjoyable novel about a second marriage and a blended family and an experience of bereavement.

Monogamy is an excellent portrayal of marriage. Graham, a large man, is married first to Frieda and then to Annie. Graham has outsized appetites. He loves life, he loves the bookshop that he runs, he loves food and he loves women. Despite being married to Annie, he hangs on to Frieda and keeps her close. Although Graham is not the central character in Monogamy, his presence is felt in every scene. He dominates. Everyone else is defined by their relationship to him, including his children. It makes for a fascinating story, but I wished his extended damily could have broken free from his loving embrace, Four stars.