I Love You, Goodbye by Cynthia Rogerson

 

Cynthia Rogerson examines the complexities of love in her third novel. In the village of Evanton in the Scottish Highlands, Rose and Harry are having marriage problems and seek guidance from marriage counsellor Ania. But Ania's life isn't as ordered as she lets on: she wonders if her husband is the right man for her, then begins a secret affair with Maciek – whilst pregnant. Maciek has recently moved from Poland to escape memories of a woman who broke his heart. Meanwhile, Harry and Rose's teenaged son Sam is in love for the very first time... It all sounds a bit hard to follow but that's not the case. The narrative is perfectly ordered, with the novel divided into sections which confront the reader with each character's individual perspective. These insights result in the reader thinking they know what's coming next, and inevitably being surprised. Life is uncontrollable here, and so is love. I Love You, Goodbye is a fizzy cocktail of desire, friendship, understanding, misunderstanding and fragility. It's a contemporary look at loneliness, affection and adultery. Rogerson captures wonderfully the beauty and heartache of love and, as such, has chosen a theme we can all relate to. [Tina Koenig]