Maeve’s Afternoon Delight was included in our excellent summer reads piece, and with good reason. I read this book in the run up to my wedding and when I had no time to read it because of endless wedmin and work I kept thinking about it. Maeve is a wonderful character. A rather loveable heroine. Impossible not to like and even harder to not want her to get the best revenge anyone can have: living well and becoming happy.
After Maeve’s husband leaves her for her best friend it takes her a while to get back on track. She is understandably devastated and finds solace in her allotment and her baking. She has the support of her parents, her neighbours who think, quite rightly, that her ex is a terrible human being and a new friend who has an allotment near her, Larry. Her son, Andy, is still confused about his parents separation and can be mean. Will he grow up and stop listening to his fathers point of view? Read the book and find out. Maeve starts to put her life back together and it is fun to read as she gains confidence and starts to (finally!) rebel.
Maeve attracts the unwanted attention of Archie, who is head of neighbourhood watch and the residents association. This brings in an extra twist to a well-written novel which has wonderful characters and brilliant observations on life, marriage and love.
I could see this book as a film and it would certainly appeal to many women who have had to deal with cheating spouses. It has a First Wives feel about it (and if you haven’t seen that film, get your hands on a copy now!) and the characters would certainly translate well to this medium. There is a love interest of course. The previously mentioned Larry. Younger, handsome, kind. Will they or won’t they make it work?
Margaret Graham is one of Frost’s favourite authors and this book is yet another winner. Less historical than the previous books of hers we have reviewed, this has a modern setting. Perfect summer reading: a brilliant book.
Maeve’s Afternoon Delight is available here.
