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64 pages 2 hours read

Meg Mason

Sorrow and Bliss

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Chapters 9-21Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 9 Summary

Martha and Jonathan marry in an extravagant affair that Jonathan pays for and his step-sister organizes. Patrick accepts the invitation, but doesn’t attend, citing a minor injury on the day. Peregrine sends his regrets and a gift. Martha and Jonathan head for their honeymoon in Ibiza. While waiting to board their flight, she tells Jonathan she has changed her mind about having children.

Once there, however, Martha and Jonathan spend virtually no time together, as he is constantly off at clubs using drugs while Martha is left alone in their hotel room. They don’t have sex at all throughout their honeymoon. On the way back to London, Martha begins crying and doesn’t stop for days, unable to do anything else. Jonathan has never seen her like this, and his mild concern eventually turns to irritation, then disgust. He suggests she move out and they get an annulment on the grounds they have not yet consummated their marriage. Ingrid and Hamish help Martha pack her things, and Fergus drives her home.

Upon arriving home, Martha avoids her mother, anticipating all the cruel things Celia will say. As Ingrid puts her to bed, Martha confesses they were planning on having a baby, and Ingrid suggests it is a good thing they didn’t as Jonathan would have made a terrible father.

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