Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't get it. Maybe the audiobook didn't portray the "literary magic" others feel it is. Or maybe I'm just not smart enough. Either way, not my cup of tea.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very unique writing style which was my favorite aspect of the book. Recommend it if you’re looking to read something relatable and an alternative writing style.
Jenny Offill writes like how i imagine the inside of my brain to sound. I don't know if that makes sense, but have you ever read an otherwise normal paragraph but somehow been convinced it was you that thought it? And have you ever looked at a string of words and known that you have thought that exact string of words and if only you were able to put it down on paper in the exact same way?
This would've been a 5 star review had there not been a POV shift into third person for the middle third. I was annoyed, I was like, no, this book is about ME, i am the protagonist, i don't want to look at her from the outside because i want to stay in her head (where i already live)
This would've been a 5 star review had there not been a POV shift into third person for the middle third. I was annoyed, I was like, no, this book is about ME, i am the protagonist, i don't want to look at her from the outside because i want to stay in her head (where i already live)
To put it simply: this is a great book. Offil’s ability to construct such deep characters and charge this book with such intense emotions is what I would say made me so drawn to it. Even more, she does it entirely through fragments – thoughts, moments, random sayings, etc. This book is a distillation of experience: the persona of the wife is really well constructed & gives such a clear image of her as a character by only giving you a sort of curated set of these tiny little “snapshots” – so to speak. I also greatly enjoyed the sarcastic tone used so often throughout the book and how natural it seemed. My one gripe was the ending; it felt a bit disconnected. There seemed to be this break some point in the book – almost like she was starting an entirely new story. Definitely a worthwhile read.
My absolute favourite quote which I think really encapsulates pretty much everything the book trying to do:
“A few nights later, I secretly hope that I might be a genius. Why else can no amount of sleeping pills fell my brain? But I’m the morning my daughter asks me what a cloud is and I cannot say.”
My absolute favourite quote which I think really encapsulates pretty much everything the book trying to do:
“A few nights later, I secretly hope that I might be a genius. Why else can no amount of sleeping pills fell my brain? But I’m the morning my daughter asks me what a cloud is and I cannot say.”
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Described as a portrait of a marriage, this slim read (just under 200 pages) explores the ebbs and flows of connection as two people navigate the realities of growing together - the compromise, the curtailed ambitions, the short sightedness induced by cohabitation, and the shift to romantic companionship.
I’ve now read all 3 of Offill’s books, one was a DNF (Lost Things) but this, closer in style and tone to Weather, is a great quick read. I won’t be for everyone, as you can picture the author writing it whilst you read - this can be viewed as a plus, since it feels so much like candid diary entries (a sense of blurring fiction and autobiography), but conversely it often jars as contrived and try hard. Similar to how I couldn’t shake the image of Tartt writing TSH, smirking to herself, when reading it. But I ultimately really enjoy the disjointed, piecemeal stream of consciousness approach, as it all ties together eventually.
The last third, where the relationship difficulties come to a head is worth the read alone, the oblique, fractured look at a woman’s enduring love thorough intense rage, self doubt and intense betrayal is brilliantly done.