Domestic Affairs

An Affair to Read AND Remember!

For Eileen Goudge to write a novel better than Woman in Red is something I never saw coming until I opened to the first page of this remarkable book. Nevertheless, in Domestic Affairs, Goudge has done just that! She brings us a love story on so many levels that it grabs you in the beginning and never lets go until the last page. First and foremost, this love story is about friends-and how although their friendship definitely is a roller coaster over time, it never loses its effect on the lives of the people it touches, nor the reader. It is also about how only a deep friendship like this can change people¿s lives forever especially when secrets shared in that relationship remain unspoken for years. The story starts with the friendship and alliance of Abigail Armstrong with Lila and her brother, Vaughn, Meriwhether. These three grow up from children to teens, sharing what at a certain point is essentially too much to share. These secrets they share will direct the paths their lives take as they are torn apart in their youth, but then brings them back together later as adults. When Abby¿s mother, the housekeeper for Lila and Vaughn¿s family is unceremoniously fired and chased from the only home Abby has ever known, horrific feelings and secrets go with Abby and her mother, Rosalie, as they leave the Meriwhether estate. Fast forward twenty-five years and the proverbial shoe is on the other foot as Lila, once a high member of New York society, is brought down by the results of her husband¿s illegal actions and Lila¿s life falls apart. She is a pariah to those she once courted and was courted by. With an ironic twist, Lila is saved when she is hired to be a housekeeper in the now very successful, media maven, Abigail Armstrong. While this NEW Abby now will only deal decently with her housekeeper, in memory of her now deceased mother, she is quite the opposite in the business world. A sharp tongue and iron fist enables Abigail to run a top-notch business, while trying to still hold on to her husband and family. When Lila becomes her housekeeper, the revenge should be sweet, but is it? Into this duo, a third important female character, Concepcion Delgado, enters. Concepcion travels to find the driven leader of the company that she worked for and take revenge for what Concepcion feels is the reason she lost her only child. As these three very different lives are headed on a collision course and confrontation, Eileen Goudge has not settled to just reward readers with the results of their meeting. Goudge has not forgotten to also expertly stir into this mix tragedies, illness, suicide, teen angst and the only thing needed to complete the end product, a former lover. All that a reader could want is there for them to sink their teeth into. The final morsel leaves the reader satisfied but also sorry to see it end. This is a MUST READ for everyone!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

You won't be able to put this book down!

Any woman will be able to relate to this wonderful story. Holds your attention so much that you might be up all night!

Eileen Goudge is a phenomenal writer

I have read all of her books and they never fail to keep me glued to the page until the end. This is a very dramatic and emotional tale that will keep you involved until you read the last page. When I finish one of her books I can't wait until she has another out that I can get my hands on. Enjoy!

What a great read!

This book is almost impossible to put down before you are finished! The character development and plot twists keep the reader engaged throughout the entire book. Eileen Goudge is a master storyteller. I want to read her other books!!!

Share the joy of this book

This was a warm, touching story of friendship, loyalty, and love. An absolutely great story to discuss with a group of friends over a glass of wine!

Too long

This was way too long with no real payoff.

The Revenge of Pandora's Chaos!

What kind of doors open to those whose choices stem from betrayal and revenge? Can one mentally lock those gates to close the ensuing destructive cycle? Even though readers rationally know the memories hiding in Pandora's box are best left imprisoned in a locked part of our psyche, why are we so fascinated by the exciting, unpredictable chain of events loosed when past, shameful acts are allowed to become a part of the present? Abigail's mother is a housekeeper for the Meriwhether family who seduces Mr. Meriwhether in order to keep him from straying out of the family. It's an act that has repercussions beyond imagination as Mrs. Meriwhether fires the seemingly innocent housekeeper. The worst part of it is that Lila Meriwhether, Abigail's best childhood friend, does absolutely nothing to help prevent Abigail and her mother being turned out into economic poverty and struggle. Lila's brother, with whom Abigail had one blissful romantic union, has been supportive by mail in the years since that terrible separation. But Lila and Abigail are consumed by their respective shame and fury surrounding that terrible day. Both Lila and Abigail have become rich, the former by marriage to a successful financier and the latter by hard work as a renowned Martha Stewart-type entrepreneur. Lila, however, through tragic, unforeseen events, is transformed from a stylish socialite to a penniless, unskilled woman needing to find employment yesterday. She is finally brought to seeking that job from Abigail, who hires Lila in a burst of convenience as a housekeeper. Will such a debasement of Lila provide Abigail the satisfaction she seeks for revenge or is there a different spin that forms from this unlikely scenario? Domestic Affairs abounds with unhappy people, including Abigail, her husband and sulking daughter, Lila and her fuming son, a warmhearted Afghani gardener who becomes a more than helpful companion to Lila, and a fierce Latin American mother determined to find justice for her daughter's death at the hands of Abigail's factory manager's rules. The interplay between these satisfying characters is unpredictable and the outcome for all is cleverly constructed and quite surprising, without seeming contrived or naive. Domestic Affairs is a fine, fine read that exemplifies the possibility of hope in the face of even the most dire circumstances! Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on August 2, 2008

engaging contemporary

In 1982 Greenhaven, Georgia, Abigail and Lila were best friends although the former¿s mother worked as a housekeeper to the latter¿s affluent family. Abigail also was attracted to Lila¿s twin brother Vaughn. However, Lila¿s mom accuses Abigail¿s mother of stealing, fired her, and tossed mother and daughter into the street. --- In present day New York, Abigail runs a successful catering business and is a TV show guest due to a popular cook book she wrote while she and her husband Kent raise their child Phoebe. However, lately Abigail has been unhappy as Kent ignores her and Phoebe seems frighteningly withdrawn. In that environs Lila arrives impoverished from a factory fire and despondent from her husband¿s suicide. She begs for a job for the sake of her son. Abigail hires her frantic former friend as the family housekeeper. However, what has split them for over two decades remains especially with the insult of the job as a reminder of reverse fortunes but soon current painful issues such as Vaughn reappearing will surface to complicate any chance of reconciliation between the once two best friends. --- DOMESTIC AFFAIR is an engaging contemporary tale that focuses on friendship and betrayal. The story line is character driven obviously first by the two lead females, but also enhanced by their extended family members. Although at times the plot veers into soap opera turf, readers will enjoy this fine modern day drama wondering what will happen to each key cast member as the underlying rapport and discord of relationships change. --- Harriet Klausner

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