Ms. Duncan writes in an honest, forthright manner, valiantly attempting to portray both the good and bad sides of her then-husband and his musical "family" for whom she more or less abandoned her own. Anyone who has loved and lived on a long-term basis with a philandering mate will instantly relate to the quandary she repeatedly finds herself in - to stay or to go.
There's no doubt that, apart from her innocent na�vet�, the glamour aspect of the association was at least one factor in her determination to stick it out with him, as evidenced by mentions of rubbing shoulders with BeBe [sic] King , the Yardbirds, and actors Bill Cosby and Anthony Perkins. It was relatively small reimbursement, though, for the constant infidelities and cavalier attitude of her husband, an attractive but disdainful young man spoiled in his childhood by doting female relatives.
Gary's undisguised disappointment at the birth of a daughter rather a son seemed to be a catalytic factor in Shelley's emergence to womanhood, but it would be many years and many "other women" later before she would come to terms with her love-hate relationship with this man-child whose approval and affection seemed to elude her, except in brief, isolated flashes. Fortunately, she got by with a little help from her friends.
Ms. Duncan is also quite candid about her own confused, guilt-ridden behaviour and feelings, when she embarks half-heartedly on an adulterous incident or two herself and later accidentally witnesses a scene of lesbianism. Her fundamentally forgiving heart will melt all but the most cynical of readers.
My Husband the Rock Star is a highly entertaining read, guaranteed to trigger many a flashback for anyone who experienced the "love-in" firsthand or those, like me, who simply caught the tail-end of it.
Shelley Duncan, now remarried to another musician ("Who could resist?", she states) and teaching yoga and life-skills to autistic children, is currently writing a second novel called, Falling Off the Mountain. For more information, visit www.flowerchildbooks.com. |
