POST-BIRTHDAY WORLD

The new novel from the Orange Prize winning author of We Need to Talk AboutKevin It all hinges on one kiss. Whether Irina McGovern does or does notlean in to a specific pair of lips in London will determine whether shestays with her disciplined, intellectual partner Lawrence or runs off withRamsey, a hard-living snooker player. Using a parallel universe structure,we follow Irina's life as it unfolds under the influence of twodrastically different men. Lawrence is Irina's partner of nearly tenyears. Ramsey is the ex-husband of a sometime friend, a once-a-yearacquaintance to whom Irina has never paid a great deal of attention. WhereLawrence is supportive and devoted; Ramsey is flighty and spontaneous.Lawrence is emotionally withdrawn to the point of repression; Ramsey isfiery and passionate, but volatile. The contrasts between the two men haveramifications for Irina's relationships with friends and family, for hercareer as an illustrator, and more importantly, for the texture of herdaily life. This love is about trade-offs. Both men in Irina's dual futureare worthy of her affection but deeply flawed.The answer is that there isno perfect answer: one of the things that draws us to our mates is what iswrong with them. The Post-Birthday World is written with all the subtlety,perceptiveness and drama that made We Need to Talk About Kevin aninternational bestseller.