Description
Book SynopsisJoanna and Roger have been married for over forty years. Children of the sixties, they're still free spirits, drawn together by their passion for music - and each other. Conversations from a Long Marriage is exactly that: following conversations that take them from the local café, to their kitchen table, taking in her resentment of new glasses - a symbol of ageing - and fury at being lectured by the dental hygienist. He has a dodgy knee and is on statins, and when they discuss the marriage break-up of their closest friends, Sally and Peter, there's jealousy and talk of affairs. She suggests there are advantages to single beds and separate holidays, and wants to go clubbing in Ibiza for her imminent 'big' birthday. Witty, big-hearted and a whole lot of fun, Conversations from a Long Marriage will resonate with couples of any age - but especially those who are still dancing in the kitchen, singing in the car and trying to keep the passion alive.
Trade ReviewSublimely funny, touching ... Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam have had illustrious acting careers but can they ever have done anything better than Jan Etherington's two hander? This is a work of supreme craftsmanship * Radio Times *
Witty and warm * The Spectator *
Jan Etherington is a brilliant writer and these books are sheer joy -- Joanna Lumley
Conversations is a brilliant vehicle for tackling difficult subjects, like ageing and mortality, with a kind of clever, gentle, sardonic and affectionate humour, laced with human insight that makes you chuckle but can also unexpectedly move you. * Suffolk Magazine *
Beautifully written * Observer *
Sitcom is what most marriages are really like - repetitive and ridiculous - and Jan's words are some of the best ever written on the subject -- Richard Curtis
Astute ... They are unlike anyone I actually know but, truly, I like them * The Times *
This book gives me hope ... that life and marriage might permanently include taking the absolute piss while simultaneously dancing in the kitchen -- Emma Freud
One of the best writers for radio ... Her dialogue works because it is so true -- Simon Brett
An endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance - and something like love * Guardian *
Not just comedy but also a compelling, well-rounded drama. Brilliantly crafted, delightfully funny and perceptive ... they sparkle and spring vividly to life * Mature Times *
Pin-sharp * The Lady *
Exquisitely simple ... it captures the rhymes and language of spousal life [and] in these [Jan Etherington] hands it works perfectly -- Ben Dowell * The Times Pick of the Week *
Comedies about likeable people are not common. Treasure this one * Sunday Times *
Beautifully captured in Etherington's sparkling dialogue ... the couple whose flirty, combative relationship, ... made famous by Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam ... is now so beloved -- Simon O'Hagan * i Newspaper *
This warm, witty portrait of a 40-year marriage is written with a pin-sharp perception. Sublimely funny, touching ... couple Joanna and Roger remain passionate about life, music and each other, as their conversations veer from reading glasses and dodgy knees to clubbing in Ibiza, separate beds and affairs. Lumley and Allam have had illustrious acting careers but can they ever have done anything better than Jan Etherington's two hander? A funny, relatable read ... this is a work of supreme craftsmanship * Radio Times *
