Title: Indiscretion
Author: Charles Dubow
First published October 3, 2012
388 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780062201058 (ISBN10: 0062201050)
Rating: 3.63
Overview
“This is the story of Harry and Madeleine Winslow. They are an enviable couple, blessed with wealth, talent, and charisma.
Their lives are filled with friends and admirers who are drawn to their charm and beauty, whether they are in their idyllic East Hampton cottage, traveling in Rome for Harry’s writing grant, or in their elegant Manhattan brownstone. But when they meet the young and alluring Claire, their lives take a dangerous turn.
Claire is drawn into their world, eager to experience their magnetism and become a part of their inner circle. However, her admiration soon turns into a deadly desire, leading to love, lust, deception, and betrayal.
Told by Maddy’s childhood friend Walter, the narrator akin to Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, Indiscretion is a gripping tale of how having it all can lead to wanting more.”
About the Author
Charles Dubow was born and raised in New York City, spending his early years on the Upper East Side. He attended the prestigious Collegiate School, a private boy’s school located on the Upper West Side.
Weekends and summers were spent at his family’s home on Georgica Pond in East Hampton, Long Island, which served as the inspiration for his debut novel, Indiscretion.
After finishing boarding school, Dubow pursued higher education at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and later graduated from New York University. During his sophomore year at Wesleyan, he took a year off and traveled to New Zealand, where he worked on a sheep ranch for six months.
Upon his return to the U.S., he studied at the Art Students League in Manhattan, hoping to become a painter. However, after writing several unpublished novels, he decided to pursue a career in the magazine industry.
He eventually became one of the founding editors of Forbes.com and later an editor at Businessweek.com.
In 2007, Dubow experienced a health scare that prompted him to return to writing. The general plotline for Indiscretion had been brewing in his mind for years, but he had never put pen to paper until then.
Over the course of three years, he woke up before dawn every day, working on weekends and holidays, to complete his first novel.
Dubow’s wife, Melinda, whom he met in 1991 in New York City, has been his partner in life ever since. They tied the knot in 1996 and currently reside in the city with their two children, William and Isabella, and their chocolate Labrador, Luke.
Indiscretion is Dubow’s first published book.
Editoral Review
Indiscretion by Charles Dubow is a gripping novel that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and betrayal. Dubow is an American novelist and editor who has published several books, including this one, which was first released on October 3, 2012.
The book falls under the genre of literary fiction and is written in a descriptive and lyrical style, which paints vivid pictures of the characters and their surroundings. The themes explored in the novel include love, infidelity, jealousy, and the consequences of our choices.
The story revolves around a group of wealthy and privileged friends who live in the Hamptons, a popular summer destination for the elite. The main character, Harry, is a successful writer who is married to Madeleine, a beautiful and accomplished woman.
When Harry meets Claire, a young and attractive artist, he becomes infatuated with her and embarks on a passionate affair. The affair sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to tragedy and heartbreak for all involved.
The setting of the novel is the Hamptons, a place famous for its luxurious lifestyle and glamorous parties. The characters are all wealthy and influential, and their lives are filled with drama and extravagance.
The conflicts in the story arise from the tension between the characters’ desires and their responsibilities, as well as their loyalty to each other and their own moral compasses.
The book highlights the issues of infidelity and jealousy, which are timeless and relevant to today’s society. It also delves into the psychological complexities of love and the consequences of our actions.
The characters are flawed and relatable, and their struggles with their emotions make them all the more human.
Dubow’s writing is exquisite and reveals his keen understanding of human nature. The characters are well-developed, and their motivations are clear and believable.
The pacing of the book is slow and deliberate, which allows for the emotional depth of the story to shine through. The themes of the novel are explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking manner, and the book’s ending is both satisfying and tragic.
However, the book’s main weakness is its predictability. The plot is fairly straightforward, and readers who are familiar with the genre may find the twists and turns of the story to be somewhat predictable.
Additionally, the characters are all wealthy and privileged, which may make it difficult for some readers to relate to their struggles.
Overall, Indiscretion is a beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and betrayal. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and those who enjoy stories with intricate character development.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel.
Rating: 4/5.
