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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
A fun read with complicated characters. Three stars instead of four because I felt the writing/narration was sometimes overly descriptive (like the characters were telling me rather than showing me?) this works for neurotic first person narratives sometimes but didn’t fully work for me here.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thirty-something Ellen O’Farrell, a hypnotherapist, with a list of failed relationships behind her. Now she has met Patrick, a widower with an eight-year-old son Jack. Things are going well but there is a complication – a major complication. Patrick’s last long-time girlfriend Saskia is stalking him with no indication that she is willing to stop.
I think it’s impossible for me to dislike any of this author’s books. She always takes real hefty issues and disguises it expertly as light chick lit.
The “villain” in this story is quite obviously, Saskia, but I found her to be the one character I actually enjoyed the most (if one can enjoy trying to understand the motives of a stalker) and it feels as if she was the only character that truly showed growth thought the story.
I just really struggled to connect with Ellen and especially Patrick. I found his complete dismissal of the mere existence of Saskia in his past heartless and only fueled the need for Saskia to stalk them in an attempt to validate her existence. I know this was a way for him to cope with the stress of the situation but nonetheless it didn’t make me like him.
I will still happily recommend this as I love books that show the grey in an otherwise black and white story.
I think it’s impossible for me to dislike any of this author’s books. She always takes real hefty issues and disguises it expertly as light chick lit.
The “villain” in this story is quite obviously, Saskia, but I found her to be the one character I actually enjoyed the most (if one can enjoy trying to understand the motives of a stalker) and it feels as if she was the only character that truly showed growth thought the story.
I just really struggled to connect with Ellen and especially Patrick. I found his complete dismissal of the mere existence of Saskia in his past heartless and only fueled the need for Saskia to stalk them in an attempt to validate her existence. I know this was a way for him to cope with the stress of the situation but nonetheless it didn’t make me like him.
I will still happily recommend this as I love books that show the grey in an otherwise black and white story.
I initially began this book as a way to distract myself from "How to Be a Woman." And it was a good choice. "The Hypnotist's Love Story" is a fascinating story with a interesting plot line and wonderful characters. I loved the switch between two points of view and, especially with the subject matter, I think it was very effective. The thing about Ellen and Saskia's characters is that they are so relateable. I experienced a sort of character hypochondria type of deal - I related with Ellen in that spiritual, I'm-so-much-more-mature-emotionally type of mindset and I related with her as that image she held of herself broke down. I related with Saskia, as I think we all can in a way, of not being able to let someone go after connecting with them so deeply(which makes me wonder if Facebook is just fueling our stalking desires). The plot line moves a bit slow at times because Ellen must analyze ever single detail about her life, but I think that this just adds to her character development and allows the reader to relate with her more. Because this book is so plot-driven I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good, relatively light chick-lit.
I liked the characters though I kept expecting Patrick to be some sort of control freak who was actually causing Saskias behaviour. Or that she was actually a ghost. I was relieved that Ellen finally acknowledged how awful it must have been for him being stalked. Even though it wasn't explored in depth until she recognised how much healthier he was once Saskia wasn't a factor in their lives anymore. I have the book 4 stars because it was entertaining enough for me to continue reading. My first Liane Moriarty was Big Little Lies and that was engrossing.
I needed some light reading and this did just the trick. It's a pleasant, intriguing, interesting story about a new couple and their stalker. It does get a bit repetitive and ties up perfectly neatly in the end, but, as with other Liane Moriarty's books, the dialogue feels natural, the emotions seem real... I was a nice distraction for me.
I love how Moriarty makes me love her characters, but in this one, I found Ellen made me uncomfortable with some of her hyponosis and I never warmed up to Saskia at all. Maybe that was the point.
I really liked this one more than expected. I thought it was gonna just be light and silly fun. But it had a lot of insight in its exploration of inner lives, love, parents, relationships as they start and end …so much to it.
I really enjoy her books. She always manages to take a topic that could easily be written off only as entertainment and works in these great mimi-commentaries that are true, but told in a funny instead of a preachy way.