My opinion about this book changed as I read it, but in the end I liked it. It doesn't help that I was somewhat bored through by the first few pages in which Philip babbles about ballet performances he has liked or disliked. The marriage of Lucy and Thomas, which becomes something of an obsession to the narrator, Philip, ended 25 years before the book begins. In fact, Thomas was happily remarried and had died in a freak accident. So I can't think that Philip actually knew them very well. Why the sudden interest and shock?

But Philip is shocked, when he meets up with Lucy at the ballet, and she refers to Thomas as a monster. Philip attempts to learn the truth about the marriage, and I got caught up in his search. He talks at great length with Lucy, who maintains that she did all the giving and Thomas only exploited her money and her social position. We become aware, however that Lucy has mental issues apart from any other problems. Philip goes on to talk to Thomas' second wife, mutual friends, and finally Thomas' and Lucy's son. It became very interesting to read their different takes and interpretations on what happened.

Interestingly, Lucy's parents, the "old money" family, were happy to have her marry Thomas, while it was his middle class parents who disapproved. It makes the book somewhat less dramatic, for better or worse, as a comment on social classes. Yes, being married to Lucy gave Thomas entré with wealthier people, and her money let them live in a better apartment early in their marriage, but the people of her class seemed to have no problem with Thomas, accepting him although they remembered his antecedents. At worst, most of them were just mildly surprised that someone of his background was so successful. Only Lucy harped on her original higher status, and given the circumstances of their marriage, would probably would have found something else to harp on if they had been social equals. ( )

Es war ein Vergnügen. ( )

Well written tale of marriage and the loss or marriage among the privleged. Lucy's marriage and attempt to seduce Thomas was quite painful to read. ( )

I like Louis Begley and especially liked this novel which differs in subject matter from much of his prior work. Often he write about Jewish people in a Jewish world. Memories of a Marriage is about a bunch of WASPY New Yorkers and New Englanders. The prose flows as in all his novels. It is a joy to read and it is precisely as the title says, memories of a marriage. His and Bella's and that of a good friend, Lucy.and Thomas whose marriage ends badly. Thomas is a self made man who marries a patrician who doesn't let you forget it. But Thomas is very successful and goes on to marry Jane and has a good marriage with her. The book is definitely worth a detour. ( )