Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
In Blink if You Love Me by David Moscovich, we follow the main character D's comical journey through his diary entries as he relocates with his new wife, Eva, to Porto, Portugal. He seems to continually fail to make sense of the different aspects of the culture and the people around him. Everything he says in the native language seems to have a hidden innuendo, and his Freudian slips are not his only problems. Eva's family involves themselves in his life and are always at hand with advice and criticism, including the cleaning lady. As he gets himself entangled in one embarrassing situation after another, his wife's demands and behavior become more troublesome. Eva's dislikes seem to be increasing daily and include onions, oranges, and the narrator's loud breathing, which she insists must either become quieter or stop altogether.
This laugh-out-loud comedy will make you cringe with embarrassment as the narrator D tries to gain his wife and her family's approval. I loved all the characters as they were so lifelike, and each had a clear, unique personality. The cleaning lady and Eva's brother A were definitely my favorites; their behavior was absolutely hysterical. The author has a clear skill of descriptive narrative that engages you throughout. I couldn't make my mind up about Eva. Did she actually like her poor husband? Her outbursts definitely made the novel for me and her requests of her husband became more and more extreme, especially asking if he would consider becoming pregnant. The glasses scene was another one of my favorites. I really felt D's humiliation. This is a definite must for anyone that loves a novel with crazy, humorous characters who find themselves in ridiculous situations. Highly recommended.