Back of the book: Virginia Miner, a fiftysomething unmarried tenured professor, is in London to work on her new book about children’s folk rhymes. Despite carrying a U.S. passport, Vinnie feels essentially English and rather looks down on her fellow Americans. But in spite of that, she is drawn into a mortifying and oddly satisfying affair with an Oklahoman tourist who dresses more Bronco Billy than Beau Brummel.
Also in London is Vinnie’s colleague Fred Turner, a handsome, flat broke, newly separated, and thoroughly miserable young man trying to focus on his own research. Instead, he is distracted by a beautiful and unpredictable English actress and the world she belongs to.
Both American, both abroad, and both achingly lonely, Vinnie and Fred play out their confused alienation and dizzying romantic liaisons . . .
This has been on my shelf for a while. I can’t remember how I heard of it or where I bought it. It started slow and kind of grew on me as I read. The characters weren’t all that likable at first but I ended up really enjoying the relationship of Vinnie and Chuck (the Oklahoman). There could be a great discussion about the two of them. In fact, this book made me wish I belonged to a book club! There is a Q & A with the author as well as discussion questions at the end.
Bookfan 