The Interruption of Everything (ISBN 0451221184)

Amazon.com Review:
Terry McMillan's sixth novel, The Interruption of Everything, is every bit as enthralling and empowering as her earlier hits Waiting to Exhale and A Day Late and a Dollar Short. However, as McMillan matures as an author, her characters follow suit, which leads her to a wiser, more introspective lead character in the form of Marilyn Grimes. Our reward, as readers, is a tale of midlife crisis, mixed with family and personal drama, all told in the witty, honest, and inspiring style we've come to expect from this seasoned storyteller. As Marilyn approaches middle-age, we follow her struggle to discover herself outside the constraints of a passionless marriage, a demanding family and an ever-growing list of dreams deferred. With three children in college, a husband who suffers from destructive professional and personal inertia, a demanding mother-in-law, a senile mother and a drug-addicted sister, Marilyn has more on her plate than she expected at this stage of the game. Torn between taking care of her friends and family and attending to her own needs, she's faced with choices, like deciding to finish her graduate degree, that never before seemed hers to make. Along the way, supporting characters like Marilyn's feisty little niece and supportive-yet-opinionated best friends Paulette and Bunny add humor and depth to our heroine's character. And as always, McMillan does a flawless job of incorporating humor into even the most traumatic situations, as evidenced by a scene in which Marilyn ends up babysitting her hairdresser's children while waiting twelve hours for new braids. ("At three, Blue has to make a run. Orange has to go to the bank to get a money order. I ask Lexus to find me a Pamper and I take the baby in the bathroom.") Warm and witty, sincere and heartfelt, The Interruption of Everything is sure to delight McMillan devotees and attract a host of new fans. --Gisele Toueg

Very good read:
Terry McMillan is a master storyteller. Some may not be familiar with her name, but, believe me, many people have at least heard of her, if not seen movies based on her books, or have heard about her because her husband left her, stating that he was homosexual. Like all of her works that I have read, "The Interruption of Everything" is a wonderful story. I am always entertained by the fashion in which Terry tells her stories, the plot and subplots, and the development of her characters. "The Interruption of Everything's" main character and protagonist is Marilyn Grimes, a wife and mother of three. She is employed part-time at an arts and crafts store, but works there more so because she has an interest in crafts than the fact that she needs money. In fact, her husband, Leon has a lucrative job which funds their bills and recreation. Early in the novel, Leon informs Marilyn that he is bored with his life and wants to make some changes. One of these changes includes the desire to leave her. She should have seen that coming, though, because he came home very late, claiming that his work load was plentiful, and when he was home, he paid no real attention to her. Her children have all moved out and are living their lives, checking in on her only sometimes (or when they needed something.) She is left with her husband's sanctimonious mother, who manipulates Marilyn into driving her back and forth to bible study, claiming that she is having problems with her vision. Marilyn's own mother is suffering from chronic dementia. Her mother is living with her foster daughter and her two children. The problem there is, she is addicted to drugs. How will Marilyn endure all of this? Well, I'll tell you this, she is an easy character to fall in love with, based on her responses to all of the negative drama which comes her way. After tragedy strikes, Marilyn is forced to make some major changes, including putting her own needs and concerns further on top of her list than it has been prior. I was entertained throughout the entire story. Terry McMillan authors books like no other. She has a God-given craft and has written some of the best literature that I have ever read (this novel and the infamous "Waiting to Exhale.) This book is highly recommended to all, but middle-aged adults would probably gain more from this story than anyone else.

The Interruption of Everything:
I belong to a book club and this was the chosen book for the month. I really enjoyed the fact that I am able to get my books as fast as I can through Amazon. I am trying to encourage the other memebers to use it, but they are afraid of putting their credit card on line. The book was a slow start because the person was introducing you to all the characters. But after the first 100 pages it start getting better. It sort of remind me of my own relatinship with my husband. This is going to be a good conversation piece when the club meet Sunday 1/13/2008. The club is interested in life relating books that keeps our attention. Thank you Patricia Young President of The Ladies Book Club

Fiction for those going through and wanting to discuss "the change":
I thought this book was going to be about a woman whose life gets turned upside down by exciting drama. This book is about a woman whose life gets turned upside down, but the drama is like that of your auntee or grandmother in everyday life. Listening (I have the audio) to this book was like listening to a bunch of women at church complaining about stuff going on in their life. The drama in this book wasn't the least bit interesting. Basically, Marilyn, thinking she is going through menopause finds out she is pregnant. She also finds out that her husband LEON is cheating on her and finds her and his life boring. In the meantime, LEON's mother (Authorine) has found a new love and their daughter Sabrina is moving to England with her boyfriend. Their son, Spencer, has broken his wrist and changed his major from engineering to music production. Suffering from empty nest syndrome, Marilyn decides to return to school and get a master's in fine arts. This storyline was sooooo boring that I almost fell asleep while driving and listening to it. This book is for those who just like to read for the sake of reading and don't expect really that much of interest to happen in the book.

Depressing:
Terry is like a black Daniel Steele. Her stories can be awfully depressing and that's why I only gave it three stars. Apart from depressing me, this novel was a great read. It does get a little upbeat near the end when she starts to find herself. It is worth reading, very much so. Write on, read on N.M. Phillips

Close but not cigar!:
I've just finished the book and I've read the reviews. Yes, Marilyn (the book's main character) is going through her own personal drama but that was OK because a) we all do and b) it is, after a story. The story sets up nicely introducing characters and situations that seem unexpected and thought-provoking. However, not one of those situations is resolved. Not one of the characters finds a resolution. The book almost finished mid-conversation-like Ms. McMillan was way past deadline and just needed to finish or she is writing a sequel and we should patiently wait. I mean, I didn't expect every loose end to be tied, but it was really a dissappointing finish. Remember the last episode of the Soprano's? That's how I felt after finishing this book!