Book ~ "The War of the Roses" (1981) Warren Adler

From Amazon ~ The Roses met at an auction on Cape Cod. Oliver had just bought a Staffordshire figurine - one of a pair - but Barbara outbid him for its mate. The figurines belonged together, and so did the Roses. Now the two objets d'art sat together on a shelf in the Roses' home - symbols of the passion their owners shared. A passion that united them and now was about to tear them apart .

Sharing for Oliver and Barbara Rose was a way of life. Living in the mansion they had restored together, with the antiques they had collected together, their rare wines, their orchids and their children - all the beautiful things they owned - they were happy. Their latest project had been the kitchen, which was to be the core of Barbara's new-found career as a caterer of gourmet foods. Though Oliver was a busy and successful attorney, he had shared all the planning chores with her.

The tripping point occurred when Oliver collapsed with what seemed to be a heart attack and Barbara, as he had expected, did not rush to his side. Her indifference to his fate was both galling and an eye-opener about the truth of their marriage, a truth based more on materialism than mutual sharing and love.

The War of the Roses is a timeless novel. Yet this is a story uniquely of our own time where more and more people measure their happiness and success in terms of the things they possess.

I haven't seen the movie that is based on this book in years and remember not liking it.

When I came across this ebook, I gave it a chance ... and I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it.

I liked the writing style ... it was quick and funny and the story moved along.

It was fun to read how Oliver and Barbara started with simple pranks to drive each other out of the house and spiraled into madness.

I wasn't crazy about the character of Ann, the nanny. She was too wimpy for my liking and I was happy when she left the house.

Now I want to go out and rewatch the movie!