Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publication Date: April 2014
Format: Paperback, 336 pgs
Source: Personal Library
Can men and women be friends? Is it possible to love more than one person at the same time?
Covet is a story which questions you on the above issues and at its core a story about marriage and friendship.
Claire Canton, a woman in her thirties, is a stay-at-home mom with two kids. She works as a freelance graphic designer and she should be a very happy woman as she seems to have the best of both worlds.
However, she isn't as her husband Chris was troubled by unemployment. The previous job he worked in a software company laid off some staff and he was one of them. Finding a job becomes a challenge due to the economy and not to mention that many companies are trying to cut down on costs, even if it means asking a staff to do two persons' jobs. Chris becomes depressed as the days go by without him with a job; he becomes a loving father and husband to a lone ranger who locks himself in his room and getting bitter not only to himself and to the world.
Claire is no doubt worried and concerned over Chris and their financial state they are in, but she couldn't seem to get her words through Chris, as he has shut everything out of him. Finally, he found a job but it requires lots of travelling. Both Chris and Claire know this would take away many of their family time but they also know they have to adjust to it no matter they like it or not.
Chris works hard in his new job, taking little notice of his family. The travelling has made it worse and it takes not much time before Claire feels their marriage is on red alert. She feels alone and with no one to turn to, until one day she is pulled over by police officer, Daniel Rush, over her faulty taillight. One thing leads to another and before she knows it she finds herself seeing more of Daniel.
Daniel knew she is married but yet he couldn't let his mind off of Claire. One reason being that she reminds him of his ex-wife; but the most of all is he feels happy with her and he knows she feels the same way too. Claire, on the other hand, knows they shouldn't be spending too much time together despite they don't have any physical connection. It doesn't feel right, to be emotionally close to a man who isn't your husband but yet she is hoping she could remain in that state if possible.
Alongside Claire's issues is her friendship with her neighbours and how they have their own family woes too. All in all, I find Covet to be a satisfying read; one which covers a common issue what a couple might face under circumstances when one party neglects the other. And, is it even possible for a man and woman to be platonic friends? I think this book has covered these subjects well and offer some insights about keeping a relationship. Narrated by three different perspectives (Claire, Chris and Daniel), this also allows readers to get to know their thoughts on a more personal level.
Posts
Good question about individuals really being able to maintain a platonic friendship. I do think it possible, especially in a work setting, but can easily imagine that one of the two may feel it platonic, while the other feels something more.
I like that it is told from different perspectives--intrigues me.
I agree with you about the work setting; and I do think it'd be awkward in the long run especially one of them feels there's something between them or peeps are gossiping. I think it's possible to be platonic friends but it seems hard, lol.
I'm a fan of this author after reading On The Island, which was fantastic. This one sounds good and like food for thought.
This sounds interesting. Like you and Jenclair, I see a platonic relationship between different genders working more in a work setting. I wouldn't be comfortable with my husband confiding intimate personal details to another woman though, even at work.
I'd have to check out that book; there was an excerpt of it when I was reading Covet and it sounds interesting.
Yeah, me too! I don't think I'd want my husband to be close with a female colleague, no matter how platonic it is.