NPR's Book of the Day 'The Ten Year Affair,' 'Sex of the Midwest' look at the role of sex in domestic life
Nov 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Erin Somers, author of The Ten Year Affair, shares her insights on marriage, desire, and her innovative multiverse approach to storytelling. She explores suburban dissatisfaction and contemporary infidelity, comparing it to earlier depictions of marriage. Meanwhile, Robin Ryle, a sociology expert and author of Sex of the Midwest, reveals how a provocative sex survey stirs up revelations in a small town, breaking stereotypes about small-town life and showcasing diverse sexual experiences. Together, they delve into the complexity of intimate lives in different settings.
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Multiverse Meets Domestic Drama
- Erin Somers mixes a multiverse structure with domestic fiction to explore infidelity in new ways.
- The split between fantasy and reality freshens a familiar domestic-drama subject.
Attraction Born In Baby Class
- Cora meets Sam at a baby-care class and feels drawn to his unfamiliarity and charm.
- The attraction hinges on him being 'anyone but her husband' and sparking inexplicable chemistry.
Domestic Life Feels Deflating
- Somers portrays suburban parenthood as deflating compared with earlier ambitions.
- The everyday rhythms of remote work and school run remove glamour and complicate desire.
