A tense and passionate story, with no pun intended. Shreve’s Strange Fits of Passion was an unexpectedly good read that not only introduced me to her work, but also encouraged me to pick up a few of her other works.
Set in the 1970s, the story follows Maureen, a housewife and mother, who is trapped in an abusive relationship. The whole story is recounted from Maureen’s letters, which detail her life with her husband and how the relationship fell apart, ultimately causing her to flee to the coast with her infant daughter.
It’s a plausible premise, and the method of which it is retold allows for a lot of grief and isolation to be felt from the narrator.
Moreover, I appreciated the novel’s approach towards sexism and the nuances of people in the 1970s. There are men who express an interest in Maureen, often devoid of good intent, as well as other instances of sexism from law enforcement and Maureen’s abusive husband.
It is not a novel that hates men or intends to paint every male as bad, but it does comment on the bias and inequality of the various legal and social systems during the era; highly favouring men and disregarding legitimate concerns of abuse against women. There are also explorations of love, parenting, and the difficulty of being a single parent.
Overall, Strange Fits of Passion turned out to be an interesting read, and one I can still remember scenes from, even months after finishing my read through. I’d recommend it, particularly to those who loves stories about dysfunctional relationships or tragic themes.
Leave a Reply