Five Days by Douglas Kennedy

 

Laura's life is not going well.  She is trapped in a loveless marriage with a man who barely talks to her.  One of her children is grown and gone while her daughter has only one more year until she leaves for college.  She works as a radiologist technician and lately when she sees the evidence of bad news on a patient's scan, she is overwhelmed with anxiety and depression.

Laura is recognized as an especially diligent and skilled employee and her boss decides to send her to a conference in Boston as a reward.  Laura is hesitant at first but decides to go.  When she gets there, she meets Richard as they wait in a line to check in.  Richard is a middle-aged man, graying and an insurance salesman.  She thinks offhandedly that he seemed pleasant then went to her room.

When she runs into Richard again at a movie, they go for coffee afterwards. As they talk, they realize that they have a lot in common.  Both are working jobs that overwhelm them and are married to spouses who ignore them.  Both love words and literature.  Both are starting to realize that it's up to them to change their lives if they are going to.

They fall in love.  They move hotels to a nicer one and make love.  They plan a new life, going so far as to put down a deposit on an apartment.  Is it this easy to change their lives?

Douglas Kennedy's novels center on human relationships and the little events that can change a life in an instant.  He has a deep understanding of people's lives and their longings for connection.  The reader will be cheering for Laura and Richard, hoping that they find the courage to make the changes that will make their lives better.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.