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Five Days


"A brilliant meditation on regret, fidelity, family, and second chances that ...
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How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

Created: 05/03/13

Replies: 7

Posted May. 03, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

In the end, divorce seems to be accomplished without much legal melodrama, at least once the decision is made to end the marriage. How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?


Posted May. 06, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barbluvstennis

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 22

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

I think the evolution of the divorce was very timely in terms of "let's stay friends" banter of today..


Posted May. 07, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Retired Reader, NE

Join Date: 09/16/11

Posts: 165

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

The passion was gone from the marriage. There was nothing left to fight about. They were both well out of it.


Posted May. 13, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Suzanne

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 281

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

Possibly not accurate from Dan's point of view. I don't think he would have been as agreeable and at least he'd have put up more of a fight. But then he was a whiner, after all, and Laura was a fixer. Because of the personalities of both, if it wouldn't have been as amicable, the title may have been "Five Days and Six Months."


Posted May. 13, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
shelbyl

Join Date: 05/19/11

Posts: 22

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

If the divorce were contentious Dan might have revealed himself to Laura as someone less a whiner and more engaged in his life. As a person who is willing to fight, the reason for a divorce might not have existed. His personality would be different and perhaps the divorce would not have happened at all.


Posted May. 13, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judyw

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 70

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

Many divorces begin agreeably, but usually morph into a contentious situation. So, this is not an accurate portrayal of a divorce. Dan did realize what he was losing, but it was much too late for Laura to "forget and forgive".


Posted May. 13, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Navy Mom

Join Date: 04/12/12

Posts: 294

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

I don't think the story was about the divorce. It was about living a life of regret because of making the wrong choices and how those choices were influence by how the characters were treated as children or by circumstances they had no control over. Dan and Laura really had nothing to fight over. They didn't have much to divide up and their kids were adults. Laura was reasonable about what she wanted and Dan was really into fighting for her while they were married, why would he fight for her during the divorce. I think it was realistic.


Posted May. 15, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barbluvstennis

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 22

RE: How would this novel be different if the divorce were more contentious? Do you think this is an accurate portrayal?

Shelbyl....interesting observation....It is said that the opposite of love is actually apathy and not hate....When you don't even care enough to fight, you appear weak and submissive.....Was Dan just weak or apathetic?
I think you usually know in a marriage who is going to win certain disagreements (I always won about decor) ;)
and maybe Dan knew it was useless at this point...and of course the novel would have been different with contention...that goes without saying..


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