Is it possible to write a sidesplitting novel about the breakup of the perfect marriage? If the writer is Nora Ephron, the answer is a resounding yes. For in this inspired confection of adultery, revenge, group therapy, and pot roast, the creator of Sleepless in Seattle reminds us that comedy depends on anguish as surely as a proper gravy depends on flour and butter.Seven months into her pregnancy, Rachel Samstat discovers that her husband, Mark, is in love with another woman. The fact that the other woman has "a neck as long as an arm and a nose as long as a thumb and you should see her legs" is no consolation. Food sometimes is, though, since Rachel writes cookbooks for a living. And in between trying to win Mark back and loudly wiching him dead, Ephron's irrepressible heroine offers some of her favorite recipes. Heartburn is a sinfully delicious novel, as soul-satisfying as mashed potatoes and as airy as a perfect soufflé.
Heartburn (Vintage Contemporaries)
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"Great fun. . . . Though Heartburn bristles ferociously with wit, it's not lacking in soul." —The New York Times Book Review"Nora Ephron's first novel is warm, witty and wise." —Harper's Bazaar
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Peggy Vincent
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
At the 7th month of her pregnancy, Nora Ephron learned that her husband had fallen in love with someone else. "The most unfair thing about this whole business," she writes, "is that I can't even date." That line sets the tone for this novel that Ephron based on her own marriage breakup. A court case resulted from the publication of this book, which tells you just how funny and potentially devastating it is. Her ex got a court order that she could never again write about him or their children. In the novel, instead of being a journalist, essayist, and humorist, the protagonist is a cookbook writer, so there are plenty of recipes sprinkled throughout. Published in 1983, Heartburn marked a turning point not only in Ephron's personal life but also in her writing career as she immediately gained entry into the film world as a writer, director, and producer. She wrote the screenplay for the movie based on this book - but don't see it. It's too angry; all the hilarity and subtle humor and caustic asides are missing.
I own a 1st edition of this book, and I'm NEVER selling it.
I own a 1st edition of this book, and I'm NEVER selling it.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is the fact-based story of Rachel Samstat and Mark Feldman, two Washington hotshots whose marriage is rocked and ultimately destroyed by Mark's infidelity. As Rachel is a cookbook author, the story is intermingled with various recipes related to different plot points (she gives the recipe for the key lime pie that she smashed into Mark's face after learning Mark bought a necklace for his mistress--but regrets it wasn't blueberry, which would have ruined his blazer.)
This story is light and forgettable. While clever, it was only laugh-out-loud hilarious in two spots: where Rachel describes her parents' relationship and her mother's deathbed behavior; and where Rachel describes the hamsters that plagued her first marriage.
However, I enjoyed reading this tell-all tale. While it wasn't memorable, it was an entertaining way to pass the time--much better than watching this old movie reair on Lifetime TV (Skip it--the book's better.)
By whea-wix
Format:Paperback
I didn't like this book. Truth be told, I still haven't finished it, and I bought it over six months ago. The characters are boring; the situation (while ripe with potential) drags; and the recipes don't even sound good. I am supremely disappointed, as I usually love what Nora Ephron does. Bummer.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Second-rate writing, boring characters
Shallow characters - the only one who comes a quarter-way alive is the main character, the others are mere sketches. Read more
Published on Sep 1 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth rehashing the second day.
Nora crafted one of my all-time favorite books. Why I picked up a paperback copy as a freshmen in high school is beyond me. Read more
Published on July 4 2003 by Laurel825
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really its only 3 1/2 stars
This is one of contemporary fictions first books. It was written in the early eighties before Bridget Jones became a household name. Read more
Published on April 29 2003 by babygurl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny as heck!
Hell hath no fury like Rachel scorned. Seven months pregnant, she discovers her husband Mark is "not sleeping with" the woman he "is in love" with. Read more
Published on Mar 23 2003 by Rebekah Sue Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Far superior to the film
HEARTBURN is Nora Ephron at her finest. Through her pain, she manages to find the comedy. This thinly-disguised autobiography makes for compelling reading; it almost could be a... Read more
Published on Oct 14 2002 by HeyJudy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Shallow story, cardboard characters.
The jacket blurb says "story that will leave you laughing through the tears." Tears, maybe. Read more
Published on July 3 2002 by R. Tiedemann
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my all-time favorite novels
this book would be worth the price of admission were it simply to contain the life-saving pototo recipes and their droll commentary. Read more
Published on Sep 4 2000 by reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the Movie
I first read this novel after seeing the film version in the 1980's. As in most cases, the book was better than the film. Read more
Published on May 16 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wild and Witty, as only Nora could write it!
Ephron is the kind of one in a lifetime writer who knows the score and isn't afraid to write about it. Major entertainment!
Published on Nov 17 1999 by Marisa D'Vari, author of "Script Magic"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, witty and sharp commentary on modern love.
Nora Ephron's "Heartburn," is one of my all time favorite novels. I read it whenever I'm feeling blue, especially if I'm blue about relationships. Read more
Published on July 26 1999
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