Say When - by Elizabeth Berg (Paperback)

About the Book

Searingly honest, "Say When," now in paperback, is an engaging and memorable story that takes readers into the heart of a modern marriage, where intimacy and love, denial and pain so often collide.

Book Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of Open House and True to Form comes a brilliant novel that charts the days and nights of a family whose normalcy has been shattered by resentment and infidelity.

When is a marriage worth saving and when is it best to let go? When do half-truths turn into full-blown lies? When does betrayal end and passion begin?

Say When is a compelling, complex novel that takes readers into the heart of a modern marriage where companionship and intimacy, and denial and pain, so often collide. "Of course he knew she was seeing someone," begins the story of Frank Griffin, a man who's willing to overlook his wife's infidelity for the sake of keeping his family intact. But when the forty-year-old Ellen requests a divorce on the basis that she has finally found true, romantic love, Griffin must decide whether to fight or flee...or search elsewhere for the kind of life he always dreamed of.

With Elizabeth Berg's trademark blend of rare insight, raw emotion, and hard-won wisdom, Say When is a work of startling revelation that no reader will soon forget.

Review Quotes

"[A] deft and seamless novel . . . In her large and impressive body of work . . . Berg has explored the emotional elasticity of domestic relationships. This time out, she stretches that elastic just about as far as it can go . . . Her prose is as fluid as ever, her ear as finely tuned to the clipped exchanges between husband and wife."-- "The Boston Globe"

"[A] sweet, humorous novel about loss and reconciliation . . . This novel continues Berg's run of one-of-a-kind novels."-- "Birmingham Times"

"[A]nything but predictable . . . [A] novel of domestic upheaval anchored in homely detail."-- "The Boston Herald"

"[T]old through the voice of a male character . . . [i]t's a stretch--and it's another winner."-- "The Denver Post"

"Berg masterfully explores how meaning infuses details of daily life . . . [Her] dialogue hits a perfect pitch."-- "Associated Press"

"Berg's dialogue hits perfect pitch, from the sometimes tender, sometimes hurtful words exchanged between Griffin and Ellen to Zoe's appropriately italicized preteen quips."-- "Canadian Press Newswire"

"Berg's story gives us a hero who will have you pulling for the squabbling pair to patch things up."-- "Lifetime Magazine"

"These days, separation and divorce are commonplace, but a book that treats those subjects with Berg's tenderness and understanding is not . . . Berg's novels are high-quality comfort food, and sell accordingly. In returning to the theme of divorce, which she explored in the bestselling Oprah pick, Open House, she is on particularly solid ground."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"While the tone is generally light, the insights presented are profound, and Berg has created realistic characters who are ultimately committed to making their marriage work despite the tough road that lies ahead. Sure to resonate with many readers."-- "Library Journal"

"With masterful dialogue both poignant and funny, [Elizabeth] Berg places readers at the heart of this family."-- "Dallas Morning News"

About the Author

Elizabeth Berg is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, including the New York Times bestsellers True to Form, Never Change, Open House, The Story of Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles, and The Confession Club. She lives outside of Chicago. Find out more at Elizabeth-Berg.net.