The Children of the Roses

Infobox Book |
name = The Children of the Roses


image_caption =
author = Warren Adler
country = United States
language = English
genre = Novel
publisher = Landmark
release_date = April 2004
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback) & E-Text
pages = 304 pages
isbn = ISBN 1-4022-0197-4 (hardcover edition)
Preceded_by = The War of The Roses

"The Children of the Roses" is a novel by Warren Adler.

Plot introduction

Warren Adler returns to the Rose family for another story of divorce, deceit, and self-destruction.

Plot summary

Josh Rose is all grown up. He’s well off, unlike his sister Evie, who has taken to indulging in her two favorite past-times, men and food. Josh has a family, his wonderful wife Victoria, and two children. He has worked out to grow out of the shadow his parents cast over him. They destroyed the family. Josh has now built his own.

His desire to maintain a perfect family life has not been strong enough to overcome his lust for coworker, Angela. For six months, they have carried on a highly energized love affair that would make even the most seasoned of exhibitionists blush. In spite of it all, Josh still maintains he loves Victoria and the guilt wrongs to be too much. He breaks off the affair in order to preserve his family.

Victoria has been busy keeping their son out of trouble in a posh private school. He has taken to stealing a girl’s candy and faces expulsion. Victoria cannot allow that to happen. When the school headmaster makes certain sexual advances, Victoria gives in, believing it is what a good mother would do for her child. But she does not go quietly, an audiotape of their encounter ensues that the headmaster will not try to expel the boy and he certainly will not try anything further with Victoria ever again.

Josh’s life does not get any easier after breaking up with Angela. Her husband has found out and now wants to blackmail the senor Rose. When Josh cannot meet the demands in proper time frame, Victoria is told of his infidelity.

A divorce seems to be their only option. Victoria does not want to work things out. Fearful of going the route of his parents, Josh tries to handle the divorce proceedings as amicably as possible. The Rose blood in him won’t let that happen.

Josh and Victoria soon begin to clash over their children. They risk losing everything over it.

Major themes

Like its predecessor, the core theme is divorce. Unlike last time, the damage inflicted is more prevalent to the children, not the parents. In The War of the Roses, Adler pushed the children aside. This time, they are the ones hurt by their parents’ transgressions. Josh and Victoria, while believing their actions are for the good of their children, are too blind to see what is really happening. They overlook the obvious and nearly lose a child in the process.

Can love prevail without honesty? Josh and Victoria built their family around honest relationships, but both falter. And to get out of it, they both lie even more. They are upset with their son lying to them, but set no examples. By doing so, they are only ensuring the destruction of further generations.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

"The Children of the Roses" is currently being developed into a television series in the style of "Desperate Housewives".

External links

* [http://www.warrenadler.com/title-childrenoftheroses.shtml Official Website]
* [http://www.warrenadler.com/title-childrenoftheroses-sample.shtml Read the first chapter]