In a nutshell, a couple is separated by a wife's ten month internship. The husband stays behind to care for the home life. Together, they decide to handle their separation with minimal phone calls and visits, choosing to communicate primarily through handwritten letters. In truth, I had a love-hate relationship with A Celibate Season. On the one hand, I am a big fan of the epistolary technique. I like the subtle voyeurism of reading someone's mail, especially strangers. I also found it interesting that what remained impossible for the characters to disclose to one another went into an unsent letter, thus keeping with a true epistolary technique. What I didn't appreciate was the obvious breakdown of the marriage very early in the exchange of letters. I hated to see it coming that soon.
Probably the most realistic argument Chas & Jock have is about money. Chas is an unemployed architect, taking care of their two children while Jock is the money maker. Chas can't pay the furnace repair bill while Jock frets about needing a new dress for a House of Commons reception. ( )

I haven’t read any books by these two writers before nor have I read a book in this format before. I was a little uncertain as to whether I would enjoy it, but I did. The story was carried forward by the letter writing in a sharp and descriptive manner and I found it interesting that Jock and Chas kept each other involved in their respective experiences whilst they were living apart. I felt the story got a little bogged down in the middle of the book and was relieved when it picked up as the problems of being apart started to appear. That said, it was an interesting commentary on the pressures on marriage (or relationship) that can appear if a couple have to spend time apart for a lengthy time. I think it also clearly demonstrated that letter writing can be a more successful form of communication than telephone calls etc. in this kind of separation because it enabled Jock and Chas to set out their worries and eventually solve them. ( )

Beautifully written novel told through letters between husband (Chas) and wife (Jocelyn/Jock) separated due to job circumstances. Their deep love and long history are evident in the letters but the separation soon takes its toll on their long-held values and commitment. Also explores themes of feminism and masculinity, poverty and wealth. Greatly enjoyed; strongly recommended. ( )

Carol Shields and Blanche Howard collaborated on this epistolary novel that narrates the separation of a couple due to her taking a positon in Ottawa. Her unemployed husband stays in B.C. with their two teenaged children, and they communicate through letters with an occasional phone call and visit. It is interesting to see the breakdown in communication expressed through their writing. Misunderstandings, slights and arguments becoming increasingly frequent as they weather their "celibate season." I would happily read a shopping list written by Carol Shields, one of my favorite authors. ( )

Two award winning Canadian writers have collaborated to write this novel, the story of a married couple who separate for a period of time written as a series of letters between the husband and wife. Good forward by Blanche Howard explaining their collaboration. ( )