Modern Marriage is a gripping debut novel, which goes to the heart of secrets kept between partners and families, and how they can slowly unravel with devastating consequences.
Everything in Klara’s life seems perfect. She runs a successful cosmetic surgery clinic with her best friend Tomas, she has a beautiful house near the beach in Melbourne, and she and her adoring husband Dante are trying for a baby.
Then one day she receives a call that punctures her perfect life. Dante has had an accident. He was found unconscious in a gay sauna and now lies in a coma. What Klara discovers about her husband will disrupt everything she thought she knew about love, marriage, and family.
From an exciting new young Australian author, Modern Marriage will cause you to question what lies beneath the appearance of perfection. It’s not always what it’s cracked up to be, right?
Vukašin’s debut novel is a fascinating, insightful read on many levels. It is informed by his own experiences as a doctor in cosmetic medicine as well as his experiences as a gay man. If you’re a bit squeamish, bear in mind that there are graphic descriptions of cosmetic surgeries. This is also a confronting read, covering themes of self-harm and suicide.
The characters, with their varied emotions and dilemmas, are authentic in their flaws and insecurities. It’s a dramatic story, yes, but it is not as far-fetched as many domestic dramas can be. Modern Marriage flows between short and sharp chapters, moving from the perspectives of Klara, Tomas and Rachel, Klara’s sister-in-law. The pace ramps up gradually, leading to a shocking ending.
The suburban Melbourne setting will be familiar to many readers, as will the time period in which the novel is set. It’s 2017, and the debate around the same-sex marriage plebiscite is in full swing. Vukašin weaves this into the story, showing how many familial and societal divisions were uncovered at this time. He portrays how many people harboured homophobia, often due to their religious or cultural background.
The novel is both gently heart-breaking and moving. It reveals that you can never truly know what is going on behind closed doors and that an image of perfection is often a facade. It’s an impressive debut from Vukašin.
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