Book Review: Husbands May Come and Go, but Friends are Forever, by Judith Marshall

Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever: A Novel by Judith Marshall

Paperback: 440 pages

Publisher: Kelso Books (August 27, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0982504608
Rating (1 to 5 *): *****




Book Review: Husbands May Come and Go, but Friends are Forever

Liz's life seems to be falling apart. She's been laid off (although, maybe she didn't really like that job anyway), her male companion of 20 years, Sam, is moving to New York and wants her to go despite the fact that her whole life is in California (she's too scared to marry him anyway), and then the kicker: her best friend Karen is killed on a lonely mountain road in a motorcycle accident.

Liz and her four remaining close friends--Arlene, Jo, Rosie, and Gidge--pack up in Sam's van and head to Karen's cabin in Lake Tahoe to make funeral arrangements and have a little together time while they make ready to say their final farewell to their friend. Throughout the heart-wrenching week, Liz goes back over and over to the times she has had with these women, scenes that date back over the span of 40 years. Through the experience, she learns a little more than she ever expected about not only her friends, but about herself...and about love.

I review a lot of books, and while I enjoy many of them, it's rare that I come across a book that touches me so deeply as Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever. Not only did I read this 429 page book in three days, something I rarely have the time or desire to do, but I felt myself so enraptured by Liz's world that I couldn't seem to draw myself out of it...and I didn't want to.

This book had me examining my own life, which is an effect few books have on me. Expertly written, perfectly paced, and painfully poignant, this book brought me to tears. It comes as no surprise that it has been optioned for the big screen, and I wish author Judith Marshall the best of luck in seeing that come to fruition, because I will be first in line to see the movie.

Disclosure of material connection: the author provided a free review copy for the purpose of this review.