Grady and Sara's Relationship

The beginning of a novel sets up the framework for the entirety of the novel. It gives the reader a taste of what the novel is going to be about and usually major themes are introduced in the pages. I already do not like the main character in the book and believe that he has no depth to him. Similar to Portia, he does not find any problem cheating on someone he cares for. However, unlike Portia, he is very content with his cheating on his wife. The fact that he was willing to admit to being happy with cheating on his wife and other wives means speaks great measures about the type of person he is. Perhaps he will change as the novel progresses, which I personally hope, but I am not sure that a person like this can change so drastically without outside aid.

I think that it is very interesting to look at the relationship between Grady and Sara. They both are fine with cheating on their spouses, even though they both have attractive spouses. I find it interesting that both describe their spouses and very physically attractive, but they describe each other as somewhat the opposite. Grady gives the readers a full description of Sara that does not sound attractive whatsoever. Perhaps they feel more comfortable with each other than with their beautiful spouses, I am not sure. I also find it interesting how they act in front of each other during the get together at Sara’s house. Usually when people are having secret relations, they avoid one another at all costs. However, they interact with each other and even act somewhat like they are back in high school. They play little games that are so obviously flirting that it makes me upset just to read about. I feel like Walter is so oblivious to his relationship with his wife and his wife’s relationship with Grady. Either that or he, too, does not care enough about his marriage to discuss it with her.

Lastly, I thought that Grady’s reaction to Sara’s pregnancy was disgusting. The fact that he can hear that he impregnated a married woman and not feel any sense of remorse is fascinating. Also, how he can just simply say that she should divorce Walter and marry him is insane, especially because he does not place any weight on marriage. On top of all this, I think it is crazy that he does not think anything of it and he actually is thinking more about his arm falling asleep than the baby growing inside Sara. She is lying next to him and crying, while he asks her to move due to his arm. It personally made me very happy that she gave him some attitude when he decided to be a jerk and ask her to move. I think that this short conversation is very revealing about the type of relationship that Grady and Sara share and I am interested to see how this relationship develops throughout the entire novel.