Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
A Review of Crusie’s Rollicking Love Story
The premise of Jennifer Crusie’s fourteenth novel, Bet Me, is simple and straightforward. An unlikely pair walks out of a bar together as the result of a bet. They both have issues Cal can’t commit and Min is crabby. They agree that they should walk away from a possible relationship and so that night they shake hands and go their separate ways, thinking it is finished.
Fast-paced and Witty
Crusie’s novel is relationship driven and is propelled by dialogue and the humorous, often sarcastic mental thoughts and calculations of the characters. What is spoken is funny but what is thought, which often conflicts with the actions and words of the character, is even more humorous.
The conflict, between the words and actions the characters reveal to the world and the thoughts and motivations they keep to themselves, moves the novel and provides the tension that makes it a funny and engaging read. However, one can’t help wondering what life would be like if those people stopped playing these games.
The Fairytale Theory vs. So-Called Science
Crusie seems to have an interest in the concept of fairytales and romance. In Bet Me, Min’s good friend Bonnie believes in the fairytale. She believes that there is only one person who is right for you. She theorizes that just like people miss the business opportunity of a lifetime because they aren’t ready for it and can’t see it, people miss a love of a lifetime through not being prepared. Bonnie is ready for every contingency and because she believes in the fairy tale, she has been preparing for her marriage her entire life because “I’m smart enough to know that’s the most important decision I’ll ever make.” She argues that her friends are going to miss out because they don’t believe the fairytale because of fear. If they don’t believe, they can’t be disappointed.
While many people write off fairy tales as childish and unrealistic, Crusie wisely lends credence to this theory by contrasting Bonnie’s theory with the theory supported by Cal’s ex-girlfriend Cynthie who believes that there are four logical and unavoidable steps to falling into lasting love. Cynthie believes so completely in her psychological theory that it makes her look ridiculous and legalistic, which lends a delightful charm to Bonnie’s belief.
A Piece of Missing Logic
While the gap between what the characters think and how they act drives the plot of the novel. It fails in that it renders the fairytale theory irrelevant. The mistakes that Cal and Min and other characters make are forgivable because they don’t have a belief system to support their decisions and actions.
However, Bonnie’s actions are at odds with her beliefs. If you truly believe that there is only one person for you, you would not sleep with a variety of men while you wait. It doesn’t make sense to risk the fairy tale on sleeping around. And while Bonnie’s behavior is never explicitly shared, there are enough hints about lifestyle to suggest that she, like most other characters in the book, did sleep with many of the men she dated before she finally found Roger.
Dangerous but Compelling Subject
If you like to read while you eat or eat while you read, this book is extremely dangerous. Min and Cal like food. As a result, Crusie doesn’t stint on descriptions of food or the pleasure that eating food can give a person who appreciates and loves food. It is almost impossible to read this book without wanting to eat everything in the house.
The Central Characters
What about the main character’s Cal and Min? They are believable human’s full of contradictions and flaws. They are fun and endearing. Their relationship grows through overcoming the apparent barriers they find in each other’s personality and lifestyle. And to appreciate them and their romance, you must read their story.
Crusie, Jennifer. Bet Me. St Martin’s Paperbacks. 2004. ISBN 0-312-98785-4
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