Media Reviews
Genuinely moving . . . Freudenberger demonstrates her assurance as a novelist and her knowledge of the complicated arithmetic of familial love, and the mathematics of romantic passion * The New York Times *
It's really, really good...A luscious and intelligent novel that will stick with you * National Public Radio *
A convincing and rather compelling story of a very modern marriage and a real heroine to root for * Daily Mail *
A delight, one of the easiest book recommendations of the year . . . Freudenberger knows Amina as well as Jane Austen knows Emma, and despite its globe-spanning set changes, The Newlyweds offers a reading experience redolent of Janeite charms: gentle touches of social satire, subtly drawn characters and dialogue that expresses far more than its polite surface * Washington Post *
Took off like a rocket, taking me with it * The Times *
A big, complicated portrait of marriage, culture, family, and love. Freudenberger never settles for an easy answer, and what she delivers is a story that feels absolutely true. Every minute I was away from this book I was longing to be back in the world she created -- Ann Patchett, author of 'State of Wonder'
A wonderful, funny, inventive novel that takes you slowly by surprise the more you read. Highly recommended * Red (Book of the Month) *
The intrigue and small disappointments of marriage are painstakingly captured. * Psychologies *
A Fresh and modern look at relationships, told with heart. * Elle *
A charming and serious tale of marriage, family and identity. Its prose style is intimate, almost conspiratorial... threading its arm around the reader confidently. The writing is clear and spare... yet Freudenberger's investigation into what makes relationships work... is complex and sophisticated... Freudenberger approaches her subject with great sensitivity, a heavy sense of the seriousness of life - and much wry humour. * Independent on Sunday *
There are some piercing cultural observations... the chapters zip along with purpose and the novel flits effortlessly between the false intimacy of suburban America and the closely knit gossipy communities of Dhaka * Independent *
A powerful sense of empathy, of being able to imagine what it is to be soemone else, to feel what someone else feels -- Mohsin Hamid
This classic tale of missed chances, crushing errors of judgment, and scarring sacrifices, all compounded by cultural differences, is perfectly pitched, piercingly funny, and exquisitely heartbreaking * Booklist starred review *
Wise, timely, ripe with humour and complexity, The Newlyweds is one of the most believable love stories of our young century -- Gary Shteyngart, author of 'Super Sad True Love Story'
That Amina and George manage to muddle though the first years of marriage is a testament to the power of love and respect; that we care about them all the way through says as much about Freudenberger's keen observations and generous heart * O, The Oprah Magazine *
Freudenberger, a deliciously precise and perceptive writer, loosely based Amina on a woman she met on an airplane, and when she describes Amina's recognition 'that the permanent part of your own experience' is largely an illusion, we can only be glad they struck up what must have been a helluva conversation * Elle Magazine *
Dazzling * Entertainment Weekly *
The Newlyweds is about all sorts of complex relationships: between parents and children; with first loves; with the places we depart and those we adopt...Freudenberger does an especially lovely job creating Amina's worlds - her emotional terrain, her wonder and bewliderment * Seattle Times *
Exceptional...here is an honest depiction of life as most people actually live it: Americans and Asians, Christians and Muslims, liberals and conservatives. Freudenberger writes with a cultural fluency that is remarkable and a prose that is clean, intelligent, and very witty -- David Bezmozgis, author of 'The Free World'
A true triumph...Freudenberger's masterful prose makes comprehensible how someone can become a stranger in two places at once -- Richard Ford * New York Observer *
Prose as warm and refreshing as a Californian morning * Evening Standard *
Like Lahiri, Franzen and Eugenides, Freudenberger excels at chronicling her characters' emotional lives and world views * San Francisco Chronicle *
Captivating * Boston Globe *