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grace1994's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5
The only reason I decided to buy and read this book was that I have a tattoo of the title and it was less than a pound from a charity shop, so I thought, 'why not?'. This isn't the normal type of book I would choose to read in that it deals more with themes and delving into one character than dealing with a plot, so I'm not that used to assessing and analysing a book like this... That being said, I did see some themes that were being brought up and vaguely what it was trying to say about them (mainly sex as a coping mechanism and an unhealthy tool for validation/attention) but I just didn't feel that it actually explored any of the themes in enough detail or clearly enough. I'm fine with the main character being a bit unlikeable but she didn't actually face many of her shortcomings through the story. Sure, Elisa confronted her about her flirtation with any guy she comes across even if its a boyfriend of a friend, but no one ever confronted her on the fact she was sleeping with two men who had partners (one of which was married with children!). I just found her behaviour to be poor and this was shown a lot but not much was done with/about it. Maybe the book was too short to achieve much in terms of development but equally I'm glad it wasn't longer because I was getting a bit bored at points. Overall, just not for me but there were some aspects that made me think that I liked and I look forward to trying better books in the future that dive into themes and character development as opposed to being primarily plot-driven.
Though, I did love the Spain setting/Spanish characters and will definitely look into reading more translations from Spanish authors!
The only reason I decided to buy and read this book was that I have a tattoo of the title and it was less than a pound from a charity shop, so I thought, 'why not?'. This isn't the normal type of book I would choose to read in that it deals more with themes and delving into one character than dealing with a plot, so I'm not that used to assessing and analysing a book like this... That being said, I did see some themes that were being brought up and vaguely what it was trying to say about them (mainly sex as a coping mechanism and an unhealthy tool for validation/attention) but I just didn't feel that it actually explored any of the themes in enough detail or clearly enough. I'm fine with the main character being a bit unlikeable but she didn't actually face many of her shortcomings through the story. Sure, Elisa confronted her about her flirtation with any guy she comes across even if its a boyfriend of a friend, but no one ever confronted her on the fact she was sleeping with two men who had partners (one of which was married with children!). I just found her behaviour to be poor and this was shown a lot but not much was done with/about it. Maybe the book was too short to achieve much in terms of development but equally I'm glad it wasn't longer because I was getting a bit bored at points. Overall, just not for me but there were some aspects that made me think that I liked and I look forward to trying better books in the future that dive into themes and character development as opposed to being primarily plot-driven.
Though, I did love the Spain setting/Spanish characters and will definitely look into reading more translations from Spanish authors!
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
1.0
This Too Shall Pass is about Blanca trying to cope and live life after losing her mother. It had its heartwarming moments, but I couldn't come around to really enjoying all of what I read. Yes, it was definitely a short book, with some depth, but it just wasn't for me. I felt like it was just dragging along for me, trying to finish the novel because I couldn't really connect with Blanca's character at all.
I applaud her character for choosing to finally live the rest of her life how she wants to, living it as if it were her last, but that is about all I could see as positive pertaining to this book. I tried to see how her character would move along the path she chose to go on after her mother's passing, but everything else just kind of didn't work for me. The read of it was so difficult for me to even get through, I had to force myself to finish this novel.
I kept trying to find something to keep my interest on this book but I kept seeing so many moments unnecessary or so unrealistic for someone like her character who had supposedly grown wiser, instances that just seemed over the top. I am not sure if maybe some of the translation may have differed from the original text, but I found myself only liking parts of this read and annoyed by much of it.
Sadly, I find that it's not a read I could ever try to read again even if it so short. I thought maybe I could give it a second go that might change my mind a little as sometimes that's all I need, especially when I've been reading several books, maybe I missed something, but no this isn't one of those novels. I just didn't enjoy it at all.
***I received this copy from Crown Publishing/Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
I applaud her character for choosing to finally live the rest of her life how she wants to, living it as if it were her last, but that is about all I could see as positive pertaining to this book. I tried to see how her character would move along the path she chose to go on after her mother's passing, but everything else just kind of didn't work for me. The read of it was so difficult for me to even get through, I had to force myself to finish this novel.
I kept trying to find something to keep my interest on this book but I kept seeing so many moments unnecessary or so unrealistic for someone like her character who had supposedly grown wiser, instances that just seemed over the top. I am not sure if maybe some of the translation may have differed from the original text, but I found myself only liking parts of this read and annoyed by much of it.
Sadly, I find that it's not a read I could ever try to read again even if it so short. I thought maybe I could give it a second go that might change my mind a little as sometimes that's all I need, especially when I've been reading several books, maybe I missed something, but no this isn't one of those novels. I just didn't enjoy it at all.
***I received this copy from Crown Publishing/Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
ireeeeeene's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
strawfly14's review against another edition
3.0
Tenía muchas esperanzas puestas en este libro porque creía que me sentiría muy identificada y, seguramente, porque esperaba otra cosa. Y las expectativas no suelen ser buenas, porque me ha decepcionado bastante. No sé, la narración no está del todo mal porque Milena escribe muy bien y tiene frases muy interesantes, pero en sí el argumento se me ha hecho vacío y que la protagonista fuera tan egoísta tampoco ayudaba demasiado. Eso sí, el final me ha parecido precioso. Así que sentimientos encontrados.
thematinee's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted more from this book, but it still feels like it captures the immediacy of a life-changing moment. Listening to Blanca tell her tale in a way that's both assured and wildly mixed-up makes me wonder how any of us manage to truly grow-up.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
"When the world begins to depopulate of the people who love us, we become, little by little and following the rhythm of death, strangers."
A story about a woman - freshly 40 - who has lost her mother and is trying to cope. But the story is only mildly about that. It's the undercurrent of the whole thing but, really, she's just stumbling around in her day having affairs with married men, meeting strange dogs and traveling. She talks in riddles and so do those around her, mixed in with odd profound thoughts. This was closer to a stream of consciousness story than one with a clear beginning, middle, end.
A story about a woman - freshly 40 - who has lost her mother and is trying to cope. But the story is only mildly about that. It's the undercurrent of the whole thing but, really, she's just stumbling around in her day having affairs with married men, meeting strange dogs and traveling. She talks in riddles and so do those around her, mixed in with odd profound thoughts. This was closer to a stream of consciousness story than one with a clear beginning, middle, end.
elidhios's review against another edition
3.0
Estoy dividida, por una parte la mirada de la protagonista sobre el duelo por la pérdida de su madre me parecio muy real (el estar teniendo un diálogo interno con la persona que perdiste) y el final es una cosa espectacular, por otro la mina es infumable y solo habla de tipos y de follar (que no hay nada malo) solo que no hay nada más que eso. Estoy super a favor de personajes "moralmente malos" o que caen mal, pero le faltó profundidad al resto de la trama.
Tiene su público, solo que no creo que yo sea parte.
Tiene su público, solo que no creo que yo sea parte.
valeriadominguez's review against another edition
1.0
Dnf 64% Aun siendo un libro muy corto, se me hizo infinito y difícil de leer, desde un principio no me estaba enganchando, pero aún si había decido darle una oportunidad, pero no puedo más. Es aburrido, y justo cuando pienso que va a tocar más el tema de la muerte de su madre, se pone hablar otra vez, de repente de hombres, sexo y alcohol. La protagonista es insoportable.