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A review by hernamewaslily
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
4.0
Based on the author Nora Ephron’s own experience of her first husband’s extramarital affair, ‘Heartburn’ details protagonist and narrator Rachel Samstat’s discovery at 7-months pregnant with her second child that her husband is in love with someone else and follows the difficult decisions she has to make about what to do about it.
Written in a humorous, confessional tone, one really gets a feel for Rachel; it is like gossiping with an old friend. She is self-deprecating and witty, frustrating and charming. Ephron has crafted a character, not too distant from herself, that allows her to explore the nuance of the topic of marriage and what happens when it doesn’t live up to expectations.
Unsurprisingly Ephron, who wrote one of the best films of all time (‘When Harry Met Sally’ iykyk), excels at dialogue. The conversations between the various characters, all of whom despite how minor, feel fleshed out and identifiable, are whip-smart and full of great one-liners.
Interspersed within the story are recipes for various dishes – Rachel is a food writer – which I enjoyed. Yes, they are a bit gimmicky but somehow it just works. It feels authentic that Rachel would pause telling you about finding out her husband went furniture shopping with his mistress to give you a recipe on how to make the best scrambled eggs.
Witty, humorous, and heart-breaking, ‘Heartburn’ is a deliciously compelling read.
Incredibly witty, humorous, and heart-breaking, ‘Heartburn’ is a deliciously compelling read.
Written in a humorous, confessional tone, one really gets a feel for Rachel; it is like gossiping with an old friend. She is self-deprecating and witty, frustrating and charming. Ephron has crafted a character, not too distant from herself, that allows her to explore the nuance of the topic of marriage and what happens when it doesn’t live up to expectations.
Unsurprisingly Ephron, who wrote one of the best films of all time (‘When Harry Met Sally’ iykyk), excels at dialogue. The conversations between the various characters, all of whom despite how minor, feel fleshed out and identifiable, are whip-smart and full of great one-liners.
Interspersed within the story are recipes for various dishes – Rachel is a food writer – which I enjoyed. Yes, they are a bit gimmicky but somehow it just works. It feels authentic that Rachel would pause telling you about finding out her husband went furniture shopping with his mistress to give you a recipe on how to make the best scrambled eggs.
Witty, humorous, and heart-breaking, ‘Heartburn’ is a deliciously compelling read.
Incredibly witty, humorous, and heart-breaking, ‘Heartburn’ is a deliciously compelling read.