The War of the Roses

“The War of the Roses is a clever look at the breakup of a marriage…Both frightening and revealing.”– Washington Star

The War of the Roses has emerged over time as a synonym for modern divorce and its emotional aftershock. Since its publication, it has spawned numerous film and stage adaptations, endless discourse on the dynamics of divorce as well as becoming part of the legal jargon describing the proceedings that follow.

Adler’s iconic tale takes us from suburban bliss to a deadly territorial battle. Jonathan and Barbara Rose are, at first glance, the perfect couple. Jonathan has a stable law career; Barbara is an aspiring gourmet entrepreneur with a promising pâté recipe. Their large home holds the rich antique collection that originally brought them together, as well as the loving familial bond that intertwines them with their children Eve and Josh. When Jonathan finds himself suddenly gripped by what is presumably a heart attack and Barbara confronts the loveless spell lingering between them, the sun-soaked sky that was once the Rose family union drifts into a torrential downpour. Their mutual hatred becomes ammunition in a domestic warfare that escalates in the most unpredictable ways while they helplessly eye their dwindling nuptial flame. In the chaos that unfolds Adler allows a moment of much needed contemplation on the shape of today’s matrimonial bonds.

The War of the Roses illuminates the relationship-shattering materialism, contempt and selfishness of husband and wife by posing a timeless question: how far are we willing to allow our material possessions the power to define who we are? Are today’s marriages haunted by the struggle to get even?

Reviews

by Janet Maslin, The New York Times

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by Janet Maslin, The New York Times

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus scelerisque ex neque, sed auctor orci congue vel. Vestibulum non ex commodo odio aliquam pharetra. Sed faucibus metus mi, vel mollis est faucibus a. Maecenas hendrerit ut eros et congue. Nam vitae sem libero. Ut pharetra urna sit amet ultricies vestibulum.

Vestibulum faucibus, orci vel malesuada interdum, justo dolor ullamcorper dui, ac tincidunt erat tortor eget velit. Sed venenatis nisl velit, nec tincidunt nibh porttitor non. Integer eget malesuada nibh, id convallis enim.

Phasellus ut urna congue, rhoncus orci ut, luctus dui. Ut dictum neque eget est consectetur, in scelerisque erat hendrerit. Donec eget sapien eleifend, feugiat odio ac, aliquam diam. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Pellentesque porta lacus sit amet ex faucibus posuere. Sed tincidunt risus sit amet porta auctor.