Matrimony by Joshua Henkin (And a Giveaway!)
Do you read blogs? Do you read book blogs (well – besides the one you are reading now)? If you do, then chances are you’ve already heard of Matrimony by Joshua Henkin. If not, let me fill you in. If you love character driven novels than rest assured, you will enjoy Matrimony, a story that spans twenty years and looks deep into ambition, class, illness, death, relationships, friendship and, of course, marriage.
As a young college student and aspiring writer Julian Wainwright has high hopes for his life. He begins what he assures himself is to be the beginning of his career by enrolling in Professor Chesterfield’s exclusive fiction writing class. It’s there that he meets his best friend and also aspiring writer Carter Heinz, who hails from the west coast and is dubious of those from the wealthier class. Together Julian and Carter meet Mia and Pilar and each gets married. Carter and Pilar out of a mutual regard for each other and Julian and Mia spurred on by a family tragedy.
Matrimony is a look into their marriages, more particularly Julian and Mia’s, as they move through the next fifteen years and experience graduate school, writers block, career moves, life, love, happiness, contentment, envy, loss and betrayal. I can’t help but quote the dust jacket which says,
Starting at the height of the Reagan era and ending in the new millennium, Matrimony is a stunning novel of love and friendship, money and ambition, desire and tensions of faith. It is a richly detailed portrait of what it means to share a life with someone – to do it when you’re young – and to try to do it afresh on the brink of middle age.
Although the main story is about Julian and Mia, Joshua Henkin offers us many other stories quietly told in the background. Stories of both Julian’s and Mia’s parents, Professor Chesterfield, Carter and Pilar, Carter and Julian, and Mia and Derek – an old friend of Mia’s.
Matrimony is the type of book that could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I suspect that it’s either the type of book that you could get bored with easily or the type of book that sweeps you away into the characters, depending upon the type of reader you are. Me? Well, I read the entire book in just a few sittings in under two days. I became invested in Julian and Mia’s characters. I really felt like they were real people across the country from me, living out their lives, and I got to look in and observe. Joshua Henkin is a gifted writer. The writing is quiet and introspective and the language beautiful and moving. I look forward to his future publications.
If you’d like to learn more about Matrimony and Joshua Henkin check out the following two videos where Joshua discusses his book and does a reading as well:
Stay tuned! Joshua Henkin has a wonderful author interview for us tomorrow. And if you’ve been following Henkin at all, you know how giving he is with his interviews. They truly are wonderful and insightful. Plus, a recipe that sounds delicious! In the meantime, visit Joshua Henkin’s website or invite him to your next book club meeting.
Last but not least, would you like to read this book? Joshua Henkin is giving away a signed copy just for you! No mailing restrictions. Open to anyone. Simply leave a comment below answering the simple question: why would you like to read Matrimony? I’ll announce the winner here in the comments on Monday, February 23rd. Have you already read Matrimony? Feel free to share your thoughts about it as well.
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Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction, Giveaways
Tags: book trailers, E-H Author, Fiction, literary fiction, M-P Title, male author, published 2007, review copy, videos
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I’ve seen the reviews on this book and I am so there! It sounds like a phenomenal read. Please consider me an interested contestant!
on February 16th, 2009 at 4:24 amMom Blogs – Blogs for Moms…
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on February 16th, 2009 at 4:44 amI have never read the book, but the reviews sound interesting.
on February 16th, 2009 at 6:43 amI would LOVE this book. I read the first chapter or so after I saw it at the bookstore, but I haven’t had a chance to read the whole thing.
on February 16th, 2009 at 6:58 amIt’s funny … a bunch of us seem to be reading and hosting “Matrimony” giveaways this week. (Maybe love is in the air with Valentine’s Day …. ) I’m hoping to finish Matrimony today, and I will be extending my giveaway deadline till the end of the week if anyone wants to stop on by and enter for a second chance!
on February 16th, 2009 at 7:54 amI’ve entered nearly every giveaway for this book, so I might as well continue here! I want to read this book because I do love character driven stories, and because I’m quite sure everyone else has read it but me. And you know I don’t want to be left out of anything!
on February 16th, 2009 at 11:35 amThis book sounds so interesting and definitely like something I would enjoy! I enjoy character driven stories – a great book is one I can’t bear to have end and it sounds like this is one of those!
on February 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pmI’d love to read this one, too!
on February 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pmIt’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve heard anything about this one but for awhile it seemed like every blog I read reviewed it!
on February 16th, 2009 at 6:26 pmI’d love to read this one because it sounds good! I enjoy character studies.
on February 16th, 2009 at 7:12 pmHi, everyone. Joshua Henkin here, the author, saying hi and happy Valentine’s Day to you all, and a big thank you to Natasha for holding the giveaway. As always, if your book group would like to discuss MATRIMONY and would like me to participate in the discussion, please contact me through my website, and I’d be delighted to set something up with you. Good luck to all of you in the drawing, and if you’re not the lucky winner, I hope you’ll buy a copy of MATRIMONY anyway. You’ll help keep me off the streets!
on February 16th, 2009 at 9:04 pmThis book sounds awesome…I’d love to read it. please please please pick my name
**fingers and toes are crossed**
Marta’s Meanderings
on February 17th, 2009 at 1:24 amI’d love to win this book.
on February 17th, 2009 at 1:50 amGod bless our troops
Because I am deeply interested in why people end up together. [Who can have parents and not be?]
on February 17th, 2009 at 3:07 amI would love to win this book because 1) you wrote a great review and 2) the story really does sound compelling. Of course, I like stories about novelists, being one myself!
on February 17th, 2009 at 6:39 amI want to read this because every review I happen across (and there are quite a few of them) has been wonderful and made me want this book!
on February 17th, 2009 at 9:54 amI just read your interview with him, and it sounds like a great read. I haven’t read much of anything for myself since my son was born, and I just recently joined a book club and started my own “to be read” list again. I’m so happy to get back into reading, and this just made it onto my list. Thanks for a great interview!
on February 17th, 2009 at 11:37 amOh I’d love to win this book. Thanks!
on February 17th, 2009 at 1:47 pmI would love to read this book! Really have enjoyed the review and sounds like a great read! ~
Thanks!
on February 17th, 2009 at 1:49 pmI want to read ‘Matrimony’ because everything that I’ve heard about it (from countless sources) tells me that it’s a very good book and well worth reading. Since much of this information is from sources I’ve learned to trust, I’m now firmly sold on the idea that I need to read this book.
on February 17th, 2009 at 5:47 pmI would like to read Matrimony. I really enjoyed your author interview. He had some really good, lengthy answers. I am looking forward to reading this, I hope I win.
on February 18th, 2009 at 3:53 pmIve heard so many raves about this book! I’d love the chance to rave aboutit myself!!
on February 20th, 2009 at 11:03 pmI haven’t read it but having been married for 29 years I want to read it! I have read the reviews and watched the video clips and it sounds awesome.
Please enter me. Thanks!
dbkagrayson2002 at gmail dot com
on February 21st, 2009 at 7:57 amI’m actually reading the book right now (but tragically left it at work over the weekend). I would *love* to have a signed copy to keep and then I could give the paperback to one of my best friends.
She’s a creative writer and teacher of English at the college level, so I think it would be right up her alley.
on February 21st, 2009 at 8:20 amheard a lot about how great this book is. It’s not yet available here in my country and I hope to win a copy. Sounds introspective to me.
on February 22nd, 2009 at 1:14 amAnd randomm.org has spoken! The winner of a signed copy of Matrimony is our first commenter, Sandy! Congrats Sandy! I’ll be in touch for an address!
And don’t be shy, although the contest is over, feel free to leave your thoughts and comments about Matrimony.
on February 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 pm[...] like to welcome Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony today for a great interview. Miss my book review? Check it out and then come back here and give a warm welcome to Joshua for his first appearance [...]
on August 21st, 2009 at 5:24 pm[...] Matrimony by Joshua Henkin [...]
on December 30th, 2009 at 9:24 pm