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The Post-Birthday World: A Novel (P.S.) | 
 enlarge | Author: Lionel Shriver
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $1.86
You Save: $13.09 (88%)
New (50) Used (56) from $1.86
Avg. Customer Rating:  56 reviews
Sales Rank: 96186
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 544
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 0061187895
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780061187896
Publication Date: March 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
American children's book illustrator Irina McGovern enjoys a secure, settled life in London with her smart, loyal, disciplined partner, Lawrence—until the night she finds herself inexplicably drawn to kissing another man, a passionate, extravagant, top-ranked snooker player. Two competing alternate futures hinge on this single kiss, as Irina's decision—to surrender to temptation or to preserve her seemingly safe partnership with Lawrence—will have momentous consequences for her career, her friendships and familial relationships, and the texture of her daily life.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 51 more reviews...
 it gets better as it goes along December 14, 2008
I did not like the book until more than half way through. The main character, Irina, is tiresome, self absorbed and obsessed with sex. The back and forth chapters imagine two scenarios - one if she kissed the famous snooker player and the other if she didn't (she is in a committed relationship with someone else - a stodgy think-tank guy named Lawrence). It seemed a gimmicky device at first. Midway through, I started thinking that the "Road Not Taken" issues were getting more complex, and I started thinking about such turning points in life. However, it might have made for a more interesting story if she had explored the other two scenarios - neither she nor Lawrence cheats or both cheat. The book was way too long and a big investment in time for the rather trite, limited payoff of some reflection on decisions and regrets.
It doesn't have to be "likeable" to be good December 1, 2008
It seems to me that the negative reviews overwhelmingly express the disappointment of not being amused and punish the author for her lack of intent to please by denigrating and dismissing her (rather sharp) political opinions and generally dark observations of human nature. People, this is NOT A CHICK LIT NOVEL. For that matter, perhaps it was mis-marketed to housewives' book clubs. Indeed, the characters are not very likeable, but they are very, very real and alive. You may not want to hang out with them -- or with the author herself -- but it's not the point. Shriver took two "what if" situations and followed each through to its logical end. The unlikeability of the characters to some readers is not a failing: they are so real that, like in real life, some people can relate to them, some may recognize themselves or parts of themselves in them, some may sympathize, and some may have emotional baggage preventing them from even being in the same room with these characters. Her sometimes annoying and unnecessary penchant to overflaunt her vocabulary aside, Shriver's style is brilliant, and her turn of a phrase is what makes her a writer with a capital WRITE. She's not perfect. She's not flawless. But she's always interesting and she never takes the easy way in or out.
 Great story that you just keep thinking about September 11, 2008
The Post-Birthday World: A Novel (P.S.)
I can always tell when I really liked a book... I keep thinking about it days and even weeks after I've read it. That's the way it is with this book - pieces of the story just pop into mind at odd times, reminding me of parts of the book. Like a song on the radio that sticks with you all day, this great book will keep you entertained long past the last chapter read.
If you are over 30 married and female you must read July 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One of the best books I have read this year. (and I read alot) I am in 2 bookclubs and listen to 4-8 audiobooks a month. ALL of my girlfriends are buzzing about this book.
Alot To Provoke Discussions June 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'll be the first to admit I thought the literary 'Sliding Doors' was simply going to be a clever device to map out a story with obvious results. I couldn't of been more wrong. This was a book I kept closing at night and found it replaying in my head like scenes form a movie. This is the first book I'd read by Shriver and found her writing both exceptional, and her observations on love and life both keen and razor sharp in their exactness. Yes, the book can be uncomfortable, especially for anyone whose been in a long term relationship, but that's why the book is so affecting.It pushes buttons and provokes discourse, whether verbal or not, about love, life, and the choices we make. What I appreciated is that as an author she takes a completely unbiased view and just presents two mirrored alternatives from which you can draw your own conclusions. I didn't, like many people, find the book depressing, and actually found it pretty affirming ultimately.
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