The Position: A Novel

The time was the mid-seventies. Paul and Roz Mellow lived in a suburb called Wontaucket, and on a "normal" weekend, their four children are spending the day alone while their parents are off giving a lecture. The second oldest child, Michael, discovers the mysterious tome on a top shelf, bookended by something innocuous, but he is curious. Something about the way it seems almost hidden.... From that point on, the story unfolds as the children discover what the book entails and secretly share its contents upstairs on the "children's floor." The children are Holly, the oldest; Michael; Dashiell and Claudia. Their lives will never be the same again. When Paul and Roz first met, he was studying psychoanalysis and Roz was his patient. They broke their first rules by getting involved with each other, which resulted in Paul's removal from the program. Writing a bestselling "Joy of Sex" type book was not something they actually planned to do, and they were unprepared for the rousing success of this book...and surprised, somewhat, by how the book ultimately changed the shape of their lives. The story is really about what happens after the book's publication. How the family comes apart at some point, when Roz falls in love with someone else. In the thirty years after the book, we glimpse moments in the children's complicated lives, with their conflicts and issues; we see the parents move on individually and then with other partners; and then, we watch and wonder when a publisher wants to reissue the book. That is when Michael goes to Florida (at his mother's request) to try to persuade the reluctant Paul to agree--for Paul has been against the idea and is still bitter about the divorce. The author's portrayal of each of the characters, with their past and present moments, reveals how each of them struggle with the legacy of the book. Of all the children, Holly is the remote one, living in LA and refusing to share in any of the family gatherings. During her youth, we saw her submerse herself in drugs; now she cocoons with her husband and child. Claudia has always felt inferior in many ways. Not pretty enough or talented enough, even though this is an incorrect appraisal. Dashiell comes to terms early with his homosexuality, and seems the happiest of the four children. Michael is successful, but is struggling with depression; an antidepressant he takes has negative sexual side effects. In the end, there are celebratory moments after the second launch of the book, and everyone (except Holly) gathers for the occasion. In some ways, each family member has finally come to terms with the book--at last. But what lingering foreshadowing hovers over each of them, even as they celebrate? What unexpected life-altering moments lie just ahead? Even as the story ended without answering some of these questions, there was a sense that somehow the characters would stumble along through whatever came next--because they had overcome the downside of their past. The Position: A Novel was poignant and funny, with sharply drawn characters to which I could relate (except for Holly). Even though she is portrayed as the remote one, I believe that more could have been revealed about her. This omission left a cavernous hole in the canvas. Coming of age in the seventies left its mark in various ways on those of us who had the opportunity (or curse!) to call that time our own. Wolitzer skillfully unlayers the facets of the sexual revolution and its impact on all who lived through it, and leaves the reader with the notion that family connections come in a variety of forms. Four stars.

This book was amazing. A little hard to read at so points with the run on sentences, but absolutely amazing. I could totally see this being made into a beautifully depicted indie dark humor rom-com. The characters were complex and relatable. The imagery transported you back to the 70s without being so specific you need stop and really piece every last knick-knack in place before you can continue on with the next scene. Truly an enjoyable piece.

This was a fine book but definitely not good. An easy read. Nothing spectacular. Entertaining enough I suppose but nothing I would tell a friend to read. Plot had spots of being good but then being boring. Characters were ok, not great enough to really get you into the book.

Although an unusual topic on which to base a novel, the effects on the children for the rest of their lives are interesting to read about; also the parents’ realization that sexual obsession does not equal mature love. One wonders about the effect the Mastersons’ book had on their family. The writing style is witty and entertaining. The rating should probably be 3-1/2 stars.

This book drew me in with promises of humor and a trajectory of family growth and development in the age of the sexual revolution. What I got in turn was a weak, depressing, unfulfilled snooze-fest of festering self-loathing and self-pity among the members of this sad, pathetic excuse for a family. The idea of "loving" parents couldn't have been more antithetical in this book. These parents loved no-one but themselves. And it wasn't because of their love of sexual exploration. It was that they didn't include their children in the developing life they were trying to lead. Guidance was absent, and the love affairs in the book were nothing short of desperation and pathos. The only two characters from the entire book I was actually rooting for were the younger pair of siblings, though neither had much to recommend them as human beings other than shy, self-loathing and political rebellion and alternative sexual preferences. I felt only sympathy for them. The drain of reading this novel was almost enough to give me sexual dysfunction and the need for antidepressants. Normally, I read rather quickly, I devour books like some people eat M&M's, however it took me almost a week to get through this book. The real disappointment was that I had looked forward to reading it with eager anticipation. What a disappointment to see the droning vocabulary and the sleepy progression of the book. I found myself skipping over large segments of text in a skimming fashion, hopeful that the next paragraph, chapter or character introduction would bring something substantial to the story. But the methodical presentation of all these unconnected and mournful characters did nothing to add to the enjoyment of a wasted effort. The only thing that I looked forward to was the end of the novel-- not because of a resolution I craved or at that point even felt hopeful of having, but rather so that I could say I had finished it and never have to open it and feel the cold, choking dread of continuing another word of this book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless you prefer books that will make you feel awful and add no enjoyment to the hours of your day.

Did not like the characters or the story. It was fine to read on the beach but glad I am finished.

Je suis tombé par hasard sur une recension de cet ouvrage dans le Nouvel Observateur suite à sa parution en français. Je l'ai commandé en anglais dans la bibliothèque kindle et je l'ai lu avec délectation. Dans la foulée, j'ai commandé "the interestings" et me réjouis de le lire.

Good ,but the changes in perspective could have been wzecuted better so you cared more about each character. A defintive ‘end’ would be good as well.

the book was delivered wirhin the time promised. The condition of the book, however, leaves much to be desired. It looks like it was dropped in a swimming pool and the pages are falling out of the spine. I have ordered from medimops before wirh no problems so i will overlook it this time. The book will probably land in the trash when i am finished anyway—bad condition, ‘bad’ content.

She is a smart and funny author who writes beautifully about the couple who become sex gurus - and invent 'The Position' - and the effect this has on their children and their own marriage. Poignant, humorous, entertaining.