Laura Lynn (lauralynn) - , reviewed on 8/6/2010

Helpful Score: 1

Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe. Don't let the title or the blurb on the back of this book dissuade or mislead you.

Mira, the protagonist of this novel is a high school science teacher who, throughout her entire life, has tried to mold herself to fit her large Italian family's code of morals, beliefs, and needs. She strives to be such a perfect example of wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, ect., that she loses herself in the process.

After twenty five years of marriage she discovers Parker, her husband, has a questionable friendship with a woman from work. After a heart-breaking confrontation, Parker reveals he is no longer happy in their marriage, suggesting a divorce. Crushed, Mira tries to find solace in her family, only to have them tell her to grin and bear it for the sake of her marriage.

This book is about Mira's cathartic journey to finally discover herself as an individual person, not just an extension of her family.


I found myself really identifying with Mira's story since her upbringing (mainly her family's morals and beliefs) and struggles closely mirror some of my own. I found myself becoming angry with the heartaches she had to endure, cheering her on as she overcame obstacles, then tearing up at her set-backs.

Over all a really well written, touching novel.

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