Lionel Shriver’s Double Fault: An tennis match of emotions from the master of dialogue
Considering the nature of this book I could easily write a review full of puns and not so subtle metaphors. I could regurgitate the issue of the terms game set, and match; joke about the love point, and make bad asides regarding Henman, Wimbledon and the courts of life.
But despite the intro I’m not going to; as though the action may revolve about a couples tennis career, the actual message of the book is a lot more personal, and the game becomes merely a framing device for something deeper and more frightening.
Enter Willy an emotional recluse who’s unable to curb her competitive nature, even in marriage and Eric, a hopeless overachiever who manages to excel without ever trying at anything. There we have the basis for a relationship, where two strong willed people team up in the game of life and love, yet mange to infuriate and upset eachother with their constant need for reaffirmation, both publicly and privately.
The dialogue between Willy and Eric verges form abysmally coquettish to insanely visceral as they move from sex on the court to unfettered hatred, all revolving around their rankings in the game. Willy’s emotional violence is scary to read, as her unstable emotions seem acutely depicted, and it feels uncomfortably close to home when you see how she can’t relish her partners success unless she is doing well. Read more…