SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I'm not trying to torture myself, but am always looking for understanding.

Has anyone read a book about a long term affair, or about leading a dual life?

As much as it is painful, I find it fascinating in a weird way.

there is not much non-fiction about LTAs, but maybe there is some fiction that sheds some perspective?

Don't know of any novels, but the movie "Same Time Next year" involved a lta. Have you seen it?

Didn't the newman Charles Karult (sp?) have two families? There might be a book out there about him.

I find myself looking for the same type of books. I haven't found any worth reading yet. Most are about short term or suspected affairs.

A Pilot's Wife comes to mind, that's all I can come up with.

"A pilot's wife is taught to be prepared for the late-night knock at the door. But when Kathryn Lyons receives word that a plan flown by her husband, Jack, has exploded near the coast of Ireland, she confronts the unfathomable-one startling revelation at a time. Soon drawn into a maelstrom of publicity fueled by rumors that Jack led a secret life, Kathryn sets out to learn who her husband really was, whatever that knowledge might cost. Her search propels this taut, impassioned novel as it movingly explores the question, How well can we ever really know another person?"

Lady Chatterly's Lover

I just started The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith, but had to stop reading. So, I don't know if the affair ends up being long term or not, though it sounds like it does, but it is fiction told from the point of view of a woman entering into an affair. It begins as emotional ( that was as far as I got, it hit too close to home), but was detailed in her feelings/justifications. Might be what you are looking for.

Thanks for all the replies.

Skye, No I haven't seen that movie. There is an old one with Alan Alda and Ellen Burnstyn, but I think you are talking about the remake with Anne Hathaway?

And I had never heard of Charles Karault before, but looked him up. Canadian journalist eh?

That's the thing. All LTAs in books or articles seem to be between star crossed lovers with a strong bond and genuine love for each other.....but that is for another forum!!!

Really Trying, Yes I read a Pilot's Wife years ago, in the years of illusion. I remember thinking, Wow what a blow that must have been!

Mchercheur, Of course! lady Chatterley's Lover! I remember reading parts of this when I was about 13. The "good parts" of course, and in secret!

RedRose, Thank you I will check out the Forever Girl. I am looking for a Book Club choice as it will be my turn soon. I would love to have a discussion about infidelity with people who do not know of my situation. Should be interesting.

Thanks All.

Actually, I was talking about the Alan Alda movie. Didn't know there was a remake.

As far as book club, I couldn't have that discussion since my book club doesn't know and those who haven't experienced infidelity all tend to believe it is the BS's fault. I can't imagine how I could handle it appropriately!!!

However, one book that seems to be "working" at book clubs is "Loving Frank." I never read it because I don't care to read about infidelity from the perspective the world generally writes about it! However, it may be good for your book club choice.

From Amazon.

It's a rare treasure to find a historically imagined novel that is at once fully versed in the facts and unafraid of weaving those truths into a story that dares to explore the unanswered questions. Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney's love story is--as many early reviews of Loving Frank have noted--little-known and often dismissed as scandal. In Nancy Horan's skillful hands, however, what you get is two fully realized people, entirely, irrepressibly, in love. Together, Frank and Mamah are a wholly modern portrait, and while you can easily imagine them in the here and now, it's their presence in the world of early 20th century America that shades how authentic and, ultimately, tragic their story is. Mamah's bright, earnest spirit is particularly tender in the context of her time and place, which afforded her little opportunity to realize the intellectual life for which she yearned. Loving Frank is a remarkable literary achievement, tenderly acute and even-handed in even the most heartbreaking moments, and an auspicious debut from a writer to watch.

The Thorn Birds.

It follows the love affair of a young girl and a priest, through her marriage and his rise through the Catholic church.

FightingBack, you are much stronger than me! I just can't stomach it yet.

The Thorn Birds.

Ah yes, Ralph and Meggie. Star crossed lovers for sure. I had a crush on Richard Chamberlain back then. Who knew he was gay?

resRose, I'm not strong at all. In fact I don't think I want to read about a LTA if it involves "love".

I want to read about a selfish, character disturbed, broken individual who leads two lives and destroys all those around him by having an affair without any emotional connection to anyone. My life!! I may have to write it myself!

Ah, 'Thorn Birds'. I don't think that would be as triggering as some others since Meggie's husband Luke only married her for money and broke her heart rather than the other way around. The only pain Luke felt when she left was the loss of her income. Again, it was fiction, so written the way the author wanted the story to go. This one certainly doesn't portray the BH in a sympathetic light.

Sweetie, I don't think you're going to find the book you're looking for. Affairs are made to be very glamourous in our society. And nowadays marriages seem to be disposable so the affair couples and the masses think we should all just move on.

What about Wuthering Heights? There's definitely some star crossed soulful stuff. I love that book though, because they are both SO jacked and psycho and cowardly and selfish that the only way they can be together is by being dead. I may be weird that way though. I'm always shocked when I hear that one described (and it happens a lot) as a love story. I think it's a pioneering examination of family dysfunction, generational idiocy in lurve relationships and the perils of failing to let go. It's also about revenge (to me) at least as much as the count of monte christo.

Ok, there's my daily plug for Emily Bronte. May not be what you're looking for, good luck finding something that fits the bill

Fighting Back, you are so right, there are not many books dealing with the topic of LTA's. I researched forever looking for something to explain why/how my life took a such a drastic detour. I never found the answers, I simply just amassed more questions. I read just about every book I could find on LTA's and journaled everyday and toyed with the idea of writing my own book, but time seems to have taken the wind out of my sails. However I just finished a book by Colette Freedman titled The Affair, which told the story from the viewpoint of all three intimately involved. Although I had thought of this before, it was interesting to see the A thru the eyes of the OW. Good Luck with your journey.

thanks Ladies,

Think I will try "The Affair". it should make for some interesting discussion in the book club. Only two of ten know.

just curious though Brokenworld, Was the affair in the book a LTA? And was the OW married or remorseful? Don't worry about spoiling the plot. Just would like to know. Thanks

Fighting Back I sent you a PM.

I understand where you are coming from!

Same Time Next Year is my favorite movie :)

it should make for some interesting discussion in the book club. Only two of ten know.

Just a thought.... I don't wish to put you off, but if you really don't want the other members to know your personal story, I think that you're probably taking a risk in selecting a book about an affair. It will probably be quite difficult to discuss it without letting a slip of the tongue give something away, or allowing your face to reveal the truth.

And in any case, unless the two who know are unusually clam-like, I think that if you choose a book dealing with infidelity, you may well find that by the day of the meeting most of the other members will already know your history anyway. Either through run-of-the-mill surrender to the temptation to gossip, or through a kind attempt to warn people not to put their foot in it and upset you during the meeting.

Has anyone read Francesca's Party? Heroine takes her husband to the airport for a business trip. Gets back to the car and notices he forgot his cell phone. Goes back into airport and sees him kissing another woman. She drives back home, packs his stuff and follows him to the hotel the husband was taking his mistress on vacation. Surprises them in hotel room, gives him his suitcase, flies home and has all the locks changed before wayward husband gets home. The rest of the book is about her growth and taking back her life. It wasn't always easy but she becomes strong. Ends with wayward husband groveling and begging her to come back, but she loves her new life and wants nothing to do with him. Wayward winds up loosing everything (including his grown children) and having to move back in with his elderly father. If only life could be this way!