[.ca] An Actual Life (ISBN 1565121333)

From Amazon.com:
"It is too bad marriage doesn't come with attachments like a vacuum cleaner. You can't do anything with ours. Ours just sits there and blows hot air," says Virginia, the 19-year-old narrator of An Actual Life. Having gotten pregnant in the late 1950s after a single night of not so blissful sex, she is now mired in a joyless marriage. Her young husband Buddy works, goes to school, and ignores her, preferring to spend free time with his high school girlfriend Irene, whose marriage to Buddy's best friend Chick seems just as much of a sham. In the meantime, Virginia plays with their daughter Madeline, repeats every superstition she's ever heard--passing on the stairs is bad luck, a dropped knife heralds a man's arrival--and obsessively charts Buddy's comings and goings. Quirky humor makes the reader laugh and wince, while adept characterization and flowing prose add up to a wonderful, featherweight novel.

a bittersweet read:
I found this book entertaining and uplifting, even though it deals with some depressing circumstances. Virginia's portrayal of a girl who found herself "in trouble" and remains in trouble is insightful, and I felt that she was truly a real person trying to be a real person. A wonderful book that I felt like re-reading as soon as I finished.

Terrific:
Virginia and Buddy are a very young married couple with a baby. Buddy doesn't like Virginia very much. He still has a thing for his ex, Irene. Thomas writes a wonderful novel that enabled me to love Virginia despite wanting to shake her. Doesn't she see how much Buddy loves Irene? If so, why does she stay? Aunt Dot enraged me. She knows Buddy doesn't love Virginia but ignores how painful and wrong the marriage is. I couldn't help thinking one word from Aunt Dot would "save" Virginia and the fact that Aunt Dot chose not to say that word made me hate her. Chick is Irene's husband. His scenes with Virginia are enjoyable but too brief. Without giving away the ending, I will note that it was abrupt. I was in no way disappointed by the ending, but I wished the book continued for ten more pages.

Gave me a chuckle - "har har":
I found this book to be a very fun read. The story was told in a simple yet vivid manner that made it real. The main character Virginia made me laugh out loud with her thoughts and attitudes about manners and superstitions. It isn't a 'happy' story but the characters and situations made it great. I was sitting in a workshop today wondering what was going to happen to Buddy & Virginia. I had to find out how the story would end. Check it out!

Delightful, and well written!:
Having read her previous book, getting over tom, I was excited to read a continuation of one of her short stories from the book, about Buddy and Virginia, in "An Actual Life". Thomas' writing is so exquisite, that you feel like you're reading the confessions and inner thoughts of Virginia, her main character. Everything about this book was wonderful. I finished the book with a smile on my face and hope her other readers will too. Keep up the good work Thomas!

An Actual:
This is the first work by Abigail Thomas I've encountered. It is how I ended up here, in fact. I was looking for more! That in itself is probably indicative of her ability to draw the reader in & keep them connected, even after the last page is read. Especially impressive is her talent in creating such a believable story-line. Reading "real life" is sort of a reward for having made it through your own up to this point! Most effective, Ms. Thomas refrained from "over-developing" Buddy's character, leaving him rather vague and aloof. I found this rather clever, being narrated by Virginia, who admits she doesn't really know her husband that well. Theirs was was an impulsive union forged solely by circumstance & consequence. God, how many times does that actually happen in life!? While reading, you find yourself confused & even rejected by Buddy's furtive behavior & his 'easy' detachment. Irene, \ohis former love interest\c gets under your skin as well. It keeps the pages turning, to find out if she is to be trusted... or busted! The biggest issue to address: Is Virginia going to STAND for this?! You keep taking steps back, asking yourself "what would I say right now" & you are ready at moment's notice to step in & babysit little Madeline so your "new friend" can get it in gear & go deal with both of them! LOL I'm awaiting delivery of more examples of Ms. Thomas' work, which I expect to be just as good. This is worth reading; but as with any good book, you're left wanting more when it comes to an end!