“Le Divorce” recently opened in theaters, which is based on the book of the same name. Before “Le Divorce” was a movie, it was a National Book Award Finalist. Author Diane Johnson has reinvented the written comedy with her book.

“Le Divorce” is a novel every culturally intrigued person should read. It brings light to the nuances of love, describes cultural submergence, and explores the dark side of human nature.

The novel follows Isabel Walker’s adventures in Paris. Isabel, a native Californian, moves to Paris to watch her niece during her stepsister’s pregnancy. When she lands in Paris, Isabel learns that her stepsister, Roxy, has been left by her French poet husband. Divorce seems inevitable.

Roxy comes off as a flat character, a dead weight in Isabel’s impending adventures. As the story grows, Roxy becomes a complex and loveable character. In many ways, she is the tender heart of “Le Divorce.”

Johnson cleverly explores the Parisian attitude toward Americans. In the first pages, Isabel details the obvious differences between an American in Paris and a Parisian. The relationship between the girls and Roxy’s in-laws, the Persands, highlights cultural differences.

It is irritating, though, that Johnson does not explore American reaction to Parisian prejudice until the end of the novel. When Johnson uses the girls’ family to counter-balance cultural differences and prejudices, it is elegant. Through their existence in Paris, the Walkers highlight changes that extend from transportation and manners to the law.

“Le Divorce” is hardly fun and fluff, though. In three major events, Johnson explores the horror and relief that death can bring.

Johnson uses adultery as an interesting relationship in “Le Divorce.” Roxy is clearly the victim of her husband’s adultery. Isabel is cast in the role of “the other woman.” In neither case is the affair cheap.

Charles-Henri falls in love with a Czechoslovakian woman. Isabel falls in love with Edgar, a distinguished French politician and Charles-Henri’s uncle. Johnson’s quiet descriptions of the complexities of relationships make it impossible not to sympathize with everyone.

Given that adultery is an important theme in the novel, the affects of extramarital affairs on children should have been explored. Roxy’s daughter Genvieve provided the perfect opportunity, but Johnson never used the character’s potential.

Johnson’s conversational style makes “Le Divorce” an entertaining and easily read novel. It is brilliantly crafted and moves smoothly between events and social points.