The Position: A Novel

The time was the mid-seventies. Paul and Roz Mellow lived in a suburb called Wontaucket, and on a "normal" weekend, their four children are spending the day alone while their parents are off giving a lecture.The second oldest child, Michael, discovers the mysterious tome on a top shelf, bookended by something innocuous, but he is curious. Something about the way it seems almost hidden....From that point on, the story unfolds as the children discover what the book entails and secretly share its contents upstairs on the "children's floor." The children are Holly, the oldest; Michael; Dashiell and Claudia.Their lives will never be the same again.When Paul and Roz first met, he was studying psychoanalysis and Roz was his patient. They broke their first rules by getting involved with each other, which resulted in Paul's removal from the program. Writing a bestselling "Joy of Sex" type book was not something they actually planned to do, and they were unprepared for the rousing success of this book...and surprised, somewhat, by how the book ultimately changed the shape of their lives.The story is really about what happens after the book's publication. How the family comes apart at some point, when Roz falls in love with someone else. In the thirty years after the book, we glimpse moments in the children's complicated lives, with their conflicts and issues; we see the parents move on individually and then with other partners; and then, we watch and wonder when a publisher wants to reissue the book. That is when Michael goes to Florida (at his mother's request) to try to persuade the reluctant Paul to agree--for Paul has been against the idea and is still bitter about the divorce.The author's portrayal of each of the characters, with their past and present moments, reveals how each of them struggle with the legacy of the book. Of all the children, Holly is the remote one, living in LA and refusing to share in any of the family gatherings. During her youth, we saw her submerse herself in drugs; now she cocoons with her husband and child.Claudia has always felt inferior in many ways. Not pretty enough or talented enough, even though this is an incorrect appraisal. Dashiell comes to terms early with his homosexuality, and seems the happiest of the four children. Michael is successful, but is struggling with depression; an antidepressant he takes has negative sexual side effects.In the end, there are celebratory moments after the second launch of the book, and everyone (except Holly) gathers for the occasion. In some ways, each family member has finally come to terms with the book--at last.But what lingering foreshadowing hovers over each of them, even as they celebrate? What unexpected life-altering moments lie just ahead? Even as the story ended without answering some of these questions, there was a sense that somehow the characters would stumble along through whatever came next--because they had overcome the downside of their past. The Position: A Novel  was poignant and funny, with sharply drawn characters to which I could relate (except for Holly). Even though she is portrayed as the remote one, I believe that more could have been revealed about her. This omission left a cavernous hole in the canvas.Coming of age in the seventies left its mark in various ways on those of us who had the opportunity (or curse!) to call that time our own. Wolitzer skillfully unlayers the facets of the sexual revolution and its impact on all who lived through it, and leaves the reader with the notion that family connections come in a variety of forms.Four stars.

This somewhat curious, but definitely compelling, novel by Meg Wolitzer should win an award for the strangest plot premise: The married parents of four school-age children have written a runaway bestseller—complete with explicit illustrations!—on how to have sex. What effect does this have on their children as they grow up and become adults in the shadow of such parents?It's the mid-1970s, and Paul and Roz Mellow have been married long enough to have four children, ages 15 to 6, but they are still madly in love and in lust with each other. They decide to enlighten the rest of the world about their bedroom secrets by writing "Pleasuring: One Couple's Journey to Fulfillment." (Think "The Joy of Sex.") For months on end, the couple even pose nude having sex so an artist can capture their instructions in graphic illustrations. One day when Paul and Roz are off delivering a lecture in New York City, Michael, age 13, finds "Pleasuring" high up on a bookshelf. He reads it. And then he shares it with his siblings. All of them—even the 6-year-old. None of them is ever the same again. Each of them deals with the shock and embarrassment in different ways—from self-destructive to just plain sad. The children's lives are further complicated when Roz does something truly scandalous that has dire consequences for the family.What makes this book so interesting is the fact that it primarily focuses on the four children and the effect their parents' bizarre and unusual actions have on them over the next 30 years. While parts of the novel are truly gripping, other parts are kind of boring. Why is it boring? The characters.My No. 1 complaint—and the only reason I didn't give the book five stars—is that this is a character-driven novel, but in some cases, the characters aren't that well defined and become more like a charcoal caricature instead of a colorful, vividly drawn portrait. Because of this it doesn't quite succeed, even with the incredibly creative plot premise.Just know this before you start reading: Because of the plot, this book it is more sexually explicit than many literary novels. If you're offended by this kind of thing, this isn't the book for you.

Meg Wolitzer explores the unintended and sometimes surprising implications for a couple and their four children of their decisions to publish a personally illustrated book concerning lovemaking positions, partly to celebrate their marital love. A thoughtful and innovative set of interactive stories about the ripple effects that follow, involving well-defined and interesting characters, and an engaging plot.

A well written, well structured family drama novel with a refreshing use of sex. It's possibly the first book I've read that really captures the everyday nature of sex, of its function (or not) in a long marriage, a relationship, short marriage, 2nd or 3rd marriage, first time, casual encounter, solo. It's not really what the book is about though, it's more about family and forgiveness.Wolitzer feels like an observer at a remove from the characters but it works. She has a witty turn of phrase which made this a delight to read."The taste of human broth in which both bodies are basted""Elementary school was my Xanadu.""A room of open-mouthed, hungover, privileged nineteen year olds in North Face jackets.

great idea here and the characters of all four adult children are interestingly explored. my problem with wolitzer is that she overwrites and provides too much backstory which doesnt necessarily add to our insights. less wandering and a sharper and more daring exposition would have made this an important novel. as it is, the author has settled for the easy-read option and just doesn't rise much above a facile interpretation of her material. a pity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - witty, heartwarming, spot on observations. I loved the breastfeeding scenes as I'm nursing my baby at the moment and it resonated so well.I'm surprised others have not rated the book so highly.

She is a smart and funny author who writes beautifully about the couple who become sex gurus - and invent 'The Position' - and the effect this has on their children and their own marriage. Poignant, humorous, entertaining.

So glad I've discovered this writer! Fabulous premise for a book.A book about love, loss, siblings and family. Should be required reading for anyone who lives in the world.