Walks with Men

I’ve recently finished reading Walks with Men, by Ann Beattie. The novella follows a young woman through two dysfunctional relationships. My favorite thing about this book is the character of Neil. He is a prick, to say the least, but Ann’s portrayal is interesting! Neil is an older, married man who approaches Jane, the main character, about an affair.  He promises to teach her about the ways of men and life. Only wear a Burberry rain coat (I’m with him on this one), leasing a car is superior to buying, and use crystal glasses for morning orange juice. He reminds me of a character from The Great Gatsby or someone Truman Capote would write about (a few gay men make a short appearance).

The last lines of Beattie’s novella: “I can hear you, you know…I’m right here beside you.” Jane’s first relationship is with a man who later changes his name to ‘Goodness,’ teaches yoga, and lives in voluntary poverty. Unfulfilled and seeking adventure, Jane leaves the farm where she lives with ‘Goodness.’ She works low-level writing and editing jobs, meeting Neil in the meantime, hoping to find greatness. Jane meets Neil’s wife, realizes that she should leave but she never does, against her friends’ advice. Neil squashes her potentialand keeps her from a full life, passively.

I have had relationships like this in some ways. My partner never actively stopped me from growing, but I did, just the same. Maybe that’s the real test of a relationship: does he cause your life to thrive?

The story ends with Jane, loverless, visiting her stepfather. I feel like I should write a thesis about this book. Timeless and deep.

Beattie’s newest came out in October: The New Yorker Stories. I can’t wait to read them!

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~ by Davina Black on November 5, 2010.