The War of the Roses
Author: Warren Adler
Published by: Canongate books
Pages: 250
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★
Published by: Canongate books
Pages: 250
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★
…living the dream in their beautiful house, filled with their precious antiques, their darling children, Jonathon’s prized Ferrari and Barbara’s beloved kitchen. Surely, it’s all anyone could possibly want?
But when Jonathan experiences a sudden heart attack (or so he thinks), Barbara realises that she wants a new life, without him. There’s just one problem: they both want the house. For husband and wife, it’s not just a residence: it’s a passion one that will provide the battlefield, complete with weapons and casualties, for the escalating war that follows.
But when Jonathan experiences a sudden heart attack (or so he thinks), Barbara realises that she wants a new life, without him. There’s just one problem: they both want the house. For husband and wife, it’s not just a residence: it’s a passion one that will provide the battlefield, complete with weapons and casualties, for the escalating war that follows.
My thoughts:
I recently picked up The War of the Roses by Warren Adler, and while it wasn’t a five-star read for me, I actually found myself somewhat preferring it to the recent film adaptation inspired by the book. Where the film leaned heavily into humour, I didn’t personally find the story very convincing, whereas the novel’s darker, more unsettling tone worked better for me. It felt more grounded, less exaggerated, and ultimately more in keeping with the bleakness of the story being told.
The novel follows the disintegration of Oliver and Barbara Rose’s marriage, a relationship that begins with promise but slowly deteriorates into hostility and obsession. Adler doesn’t sugarcoat things. This is a story filled with bitterness, resentment, and two people locked in a battle neither wants to abandon. As the narrative progresses, the pettiness between the characters escalates, making for a tense and, at times, uncomfortable read.
One thing worth noting is that this is a novel full of unlikeable characters. Neither Oliver nor Barbara is written to be particularly sympathetic, and as a reader, you’re left to watch the wreckage unfold rather than root for anyone to come out on top. For some readers, this lack of a moral centre or redeeming character might be off-putting. For me, it added to the sense of darkness that I appreciated, even if it did make the story feel emotionally distant at times.
Ultimately, The War of the Roses was an okay read. It’s interesting in parts, but not particularly memorable or one I see myself revisiting. The writing is sharp, and the premise certainly has impact, but the story didn’t linger with me in the way I’d hoped. If you enjoy novels about dysfunctional relationships with a sharp edge, this might be worth picking up. For me, though, it was a solid three stars.
Overall reaction:
