Debby Holt Ex-Wife's Survival Guide

Ex-Wife's Survival Guide

Forty-three years old artist Sarah Stagg is staggered by her husband of two decades Andrew dumping her for spunky twentyish actress Hyacinth Harrington, whom he met at the local theatre group. Adding to her despondency is his claim that he now knows what true love is though Sarah figures that Andrew's definition is lust. Their twin sons are backpacking in India so Sarah is all alone for the first time in her life.

Still Sarah vows to move on though she feels anger and humiliation that Andrew leaves her. Still she turns to painting and refuses to hide from her neighbors attending all the social events in Ambercross. Shockingly she even gets the lead role in the Ambercross Players production of Rebecca where she meets fellow dumpee Martin. When she travels to Majorca for a week of sexual encounters, she is stunned when she gets home by the disapproval of Martin and Andrew. Still she refuses to back down from her pledge to herself to live life to the fullest.

The EX-WIFE'S SURVIVAL GUIDE is a terrific quirky depiction of a woman rebounding from her husband abruptly dropping her for a younger, sexier and spicier model. Sarah is an intriguing individual as she goes through the five stages of grief until she realizes that she has a wonderful life of her own. Debby Holt provides a fascinating character study that the audience will appreciate.

Debby Holt

Downtown, Feb 2006, $13.00

ISBN: 1416513299

Harriet Klausner