Hey folks,
Weirdly specific ask – I’m trying to write a scene in a novel where a woman has a brief affair over the course of several days, and looking for some inspiration / research!
My own stories context is my character is in her mid 30’s and has grown distant from her husband, who has dedicated himself to an important project. While she is at a conference in her field, she meets a man and begins an affair that lasts the length of the conference.
I’m typically into literary fiction and/or literary thrillers, generally enjoy novels that take place between 1970 and today (so not like Victorian era). Explicitly not into Fantasy.
Some of my favorite authors and recently read novels are:
A Visit from the Goon Squad – Jennifer Egan
The Plot – Jean Hanff Korelitz
Transcendent Kingdom – Yaa Gyasi
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
Anything from SA Cosby, David McCloskey, Kurt Vonnegut, Andy Weir, Tom Sweterlitsch, Stephen King (specifically 11/22/63 and Billy Summers)
Thanks folks!
by TheWayfaringDreamer
11 Comments
The Reckoning by Grisham
The briefest of affairs can have absolute and catastrophic results.
An alternative take on it, but I really enjoyed Mrs Caliban by Rachel Ingalls.
Madame Bovary?
A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding by Amanda Svensson – the affair is just one of several plot lines and it’s a long novel, so might be more effort than you’re looking for, but it is a good if dense read!
{{The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak}}
I disliked the book *because of* the aspect that you’re looking for, but maybe it could be of use to you.
Free Love by Tessa Hadley would be perfect for this.
Pain by Zeruya Shalev.
I usually avoid infidelity in content I read or watch. I wasn’t aware that was one of the plot points here and I was impressed with how the author dealt with that topic.
End of an Affair by Graham Greene
Bridges of Madison County
Another Country by James Baldwin
Bad Summer People – Emma Rosenblum/Rosenbaum … I should just google it, but I’m so very tired.