Laura Zigman’s novel, Separation Anxiety, tells of a middle-aged woman who lives a complicated life. Judy Hope Vogel doesn’t live up to her middle name. A daughter of parents who survived the holocaust, faith in the future was not part of her DNA.
She wrote children’s books then set up an author’s website and blog to promote herself. One of her books, There’s a Bird on your Head, was a runaway success. She now writes for Well/er – a health and happiness website - which is ironic considering her own outlook.
Judy lives in Cambridge, New England, with her husband Gary and son Teddy, but this is no ordinary relationship.
Gary is a former band musician now doing a menial job a few days a week. Their marital relationship is platonic and Gary now sleeps in the basement room. He is full of anxieties and worries. They regularly attend marriage counselling but are invariably in one mind as to ignoring any advice.
Her relationship with their son, Teddy, is also problematic. Where he was once communicative and happy to be with her, he is now withdrawn and reticent, especially when a situation arises at this school where it is discovered that someone is pooping in the corridors and Teddy is considered a prime suspect.
Added to her daily worries, is the fact that her closest friend, guide and mentor is dying of cancer.
One day, Judy decides to do a ruthless purging of her possessions in the basement and comes across a sling that was given to her when Teddy was born. Her desperate need for comfort ends with her carrying their dog, a 20 pound sheepdog called Charlotte, in the sling wherever she goes – even when driving. One day when she is out walking in the park, she is confronted by a group of animal activists who accuse her of cruelty to animals.
Gary and Judy are behind with Teddy’s school fees so they agree to host a young couple who are called the People Puppets which will give them a tuition credit. Gary then accompanies Judy to a workshop out of town with Sari Epstein, a creativity-life coach guru whose work Judy is secretly obsessed with. This creativity retreat turns out to be a turning point for both of them.
In no way is Separation Anxiety, a depressing read. It’s a well-written novel full of ironic humour and sensitive observation as it gets into the mind of a woman who feels life is negative.
In the end, the couple both go forward, each comfortable that they don’t know what the future will hold. Any mother with a son growing through teenage development will relate to the challenges of the changes in relationship.
Separation Anxiety is published by Doubleday/Transworld Publishers. ISBN 9780857527363 – Caroline Smart
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