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Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Tired of your marriage? Take this novel's advice
Tom and Amy Layward are facing more than just an empty nest. Twelve years ago Amy had an affair, and while Tom didn't then want to break up his family over it, he made a deal with himself: 'When [their daughter] Miriam goes to college, you can leave, too.' The Rest of Our Lives, Benjamin Markovits's twelfth novel, begins with the family on holiday on Cape Cod. No one is happy. Miriam's boyfriend is splitting up with her because he thinks they should be free to have 'the full college experience'. Amy is picking fights and drinking too much. And Tom, now 55, is suffering from suspected long Covid. When they get back to their home in New York, tensions erupt, and Tom alone ends up driving Miriam to Pittsburgh for the start of her new life. It's the perfect opportunity to make good on his deal. So after dropping his daughter off at college, he turns off his phone and keeps driving west. He has an idea he'll visit his brother and some old college friends; maybe take another crack at the basketball book he's always wanted to write – but he has no plans beyond these. He doesn't even have to get back to his job as a law professor, being on a forced leave of absence after making some ill-advised comments in his hate crime class. His only concern, he says, is to 'work out what to do next'. Adulterous spouse, man in crisis: even without the reference to Tom's aborted PhD on John Updike, the influence is clear. Yet the writer Markovits seems to be channelling most is Richard Ford – and not simply because Ford's last book, Be Mine (2023), also featured a soul-searching road trip across America. Like Frank Bascombe, star of that book and four others, Tom's defining trait is apathy: 'First I wanted to be a professor, then I wanted to be a writer, but I ended up going to law school because . . . I thought, just live a nice life, where you can pay for nice things'. He even sounds like Bascombe. Yet whereas Ford's project is to show as much of America as he can in as much detail as he can, Markovits rarely more than namechecks the places Tom passes through. For a road trip novel, we see very little road. Tom instead spends his journey thinking, principally about his relationship with Amy, but also about his childhood, which was scarred by divorce. To what extent, he wonders, are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of our parents? His college years are another preoccupation. In Denver he drops in on his old roommate, hoping to ask his advice about whether or not to leave Amy. Yet whatever intimacy they once had is now gone: 'I knew within five minutes that I wouldn't open up to him about anything.' So they play pool and drink another beer. All the while Tom's health is rapidly deteriorating, a situation that injects a surprising amount of tension into the novel. He wakes up in the morning with his face swollen 'like a water balloon', experiences head rushes and palpitations; there's a network of broken veins on his chest 'like blue in cheese'. Yet whenever anyone suggests he see a doctor, he demurs. This is frustrating until we realise his refusal comes from a lack of self-worth: his guilt that Amy's personality might have been 'slowly eroded by long association with me'', as well as his disbelief that anyone still cares about him. Then it is devastating. Novels of midlife disappointment have become Markovits's stock-in-trade over the past decade or so. He does them arguably better than anyone else. Yet I do miss the intellectual ambition of some of his early books, such as the 600-page The Syme Papers (2004) and his trilogy of metafictions about Lord Byron (2007–11). Then, it looked like Markovits was shaping up to be the next Philip Roth. Still, it would be impossible to read The Rest of Our Lives without pleasure. Fluently written and effortlessly wise about families and middle age, it tells a compelling story that packs a serious emotional punch. We can never have too many of those.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kids pajamas recalled due to burn hazard
(WHTM) – Thousands of pairs of kids pajamas have been recalled due to a burn hazard. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 25,000 pairs of Forever 21 children's pajamas have been recalled due to violations of the flammability regulations. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This recall involves 20 different styles of Forever 21 children's pajamas: eight pant styles, three short styles, and nine two-piece pajama set styles. The pajamas were sold in children's sizes 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14. The size and 'Forever 21' are printed on the red, black or pink label at the neck or waist of the pants and shorts. The pajamas have the following item number located on a sewn-in, side-seam label below the bar code: Pajama Product Item number White pants with pink bows 01298115 Black and white Minnie Mouse polka dot boxer shorts 01287805 Minnie Mouse white cami and print pants 01287794 Hello Kitty pink and blue stripes shirt and shorts 01299151 Black, gray and white plaid pants 01298112 Blue plaid shorts 01285181 Lavender and pink plaid shirt and shorts 01323034 Cream with teddy bear print pants 01298113 Beetlejuice print pants 01322007 Gray Beetlejuice print shirt and pants 01323269 Mickey Mouse print pants 01297198 Dalmatian print pants 01322009 Black Hello Kitty print pants 01299913 Red plaid pants 01298116 'Be Mine' pink and red hearts tee and shorts 01249379 'Just keep Growing' white cami and floral shorts 01261320 'Too Cute' white t-shirt and floral Shorts 01263030 Pink Hello Kitty print cami and shorts set 01274432 Sanrio Keroppi print tee and shorts 01274433 White and blue floral shorts 01285168 There have been no incidents or injuries, but consumers should stop using the recalled pajamas and contact Forever 21 for a full refund. Consumers must send a photo of the destroyed pajamas to recall@ The pajamas were sold nationwide online and at Forever 21 stores from November 2023 through November 2024. Forever 21 can be contacted toll-free at 888-219-4074 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Sunday, by email at recall@ or online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chicago zoo gives its cherished animals Valentine's Day treats
The animals certainly aren't missing out on Valentine's Day at Brookfield Zoo. Whirl the amur tiger and Kartik the Sloth bear both received the meat they love to eat inside their 'boxes of chocolate." Sasha the amur leopard had to use his sense of smell to find treats inside a flower bouquet-shaped enrichment. Grey seals and California sea lions received 'Be Mine' unflavoured gelatin, which is an aid for hydration. And lastly Malaya the snow leopard received a 'U R Pawsome' candy heart-inspired present with meat hidden inside.
Daily Tribune
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Joyalukkas presents ‘Be Mine - Heart to Heart' collection for Valentine's Day
Joyalukkas, the world's favourite jeweller, is celebrating the season of love with exclusive offers for Valentine's Day, helping customers make the day even more memorable for their loved ones. The renowned jeweller is presenting its beautiful 'Be Mine -Heart to Heart' Collection, designed to bring love and elegance together in a seamless combination. Whether you're looking to express your love with diamonds or precious stones, Joyalukkas has a stunning collection of lightweight jewellery that is perfect for Valentine's Day gifting. From now until 15th February, 2025, customers can enjoy amazing deals, including a BHD 20 gift voucher on the purchase of diamond and precious stone jewellery worth BHD 300. In addition to that, there's 0% deduction on old gold exchange and 100% value on diamond exchange. John Paul Alukkas, Managing Director of Joyalukkas Group, said, 'Valentine's Day is a special occasion for celebrating the ones we love and we believe there's no better way to show that love than with a gift that is both, meaningful and beautiful. Our 'Be MineHeart to Heart 'Collection features exquisite diamond jewellery and elegant pendant sets designed specifically for this romantic season. This Valentine's season, Joyalukkas is making it easier for you to express your love with our heartfelt offers.' The 'Be Mine- Heart to Heart' Collection features gorgeous diamond jewellery and unique pieces that reflect the essence of love. Customers can visit any of the Joyalukkas showrooms to explore the variety of choice. The World's Favourite Jeweller is promising a truly memorable shopping experience for those looking to make this Valentine's Day even more special.
