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pammoore's review
2.0
I loved the beginning but about halfway through I just couldn't care anymore. I didn't get a chance to like or understand Edgar or Fern enough to understand either of their decisions to leave their family. While I realize it is fiction, there has to be some suspension of disbelief for this plotline to work, and it just didn't work for me. I kept on asking myself, "Who would DO this!?" I skimmed from about the halfway point to the three-quarters-ish mark... I read/skimmed up to about 80 or 90% when I decided I just don't have time for this anymore. The book had so much potential. The author is a beautiful writer. The characters just need more development.
jessonthames's review
5.0
Had to give it 5 stars even if I struggled to enjoy one of the plot lines & felt the ending was a little rushed. So many beautiful moments in this book. I adored the writing.
camilleisreading24's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot, although it wasn't as funny as I expected. The plot sounds like something from Wes Anderson: when married couple Edgar and Fern find out that their inheritance is dried up, they each take off on separate midlife crises and accidentally leave their 9 year old daughter, Cricket, and 6 year old twins alone at their New England home. The children handle the situation with aplomb, led by the fearless Cricket. Fern embarks on a cross-country road trip with a stranger she's just met while Edgar sails to Bermuda with his brand new mistress. The story is very 1970s and entertaining, and reminded me a bit of 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette?' Very good conclusion and I'd love to see a film adaptation.
pearloz's review
3.0
A pretty disappointing character study. Was hoping for a more...interesting plot.
michelareads's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Labor Day, 1976, Martha's Vineyard. Summering at the family beach house along this moneyed coast of New England, Fern and Edgar—married with three children—are happily preparing for a family birthday celebration when they learn that the unimaginable has occurred: There is no more money. With the death of Fern's parents, their sole source of income, which allowed them to live a beautiful comfortable life, is also gone. Distressed and confused, Fern and Edgar focus on themselves and go on separate adventures looking for their own identity, accidentally leaving their children home alone for days.
I tried to summarize Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty by Ramona Ausubel in these few lines, but I feel like I have failed in capturing the depth of this story, which is not just about a couple who is facing a difficult moment in a questionable way, but a story of privilege, unexpressed love and grief, hypocrisy and immaturity, curiosity and self-discovery, unhappiness and... happiness. I'm aware it's a lot, but this book is very rich (no pun intended) in details, backstories, feelings, it almost feels like the reader is living those scenes as main character, instead of spectator. If you're intrigued by this book, be ready to hate and love the characters at the same time: they try their best to be their true authentic self but, in doing so, they hurt others. I can't lie, I hate all of them (besides the children) but I loved reading about them. There's a lot of pain and drama and questionable choices, and it's beautiful.
Just like Ausubel's writing, sophisticated and charming. I'll for sure read more by this author.
PS. I could definitely see this book adapted into a movie (starring Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller).
I tried to summarize Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty by Ramona Ausubel in these few lines, but I feel like I have failed in capturing the depth of this story, which is not just about a couple who is facing a difficult moment in a questionable way, but a story of privilege, unexpressed love and grief, hypocrisy and immaturity, curiosity and self-discovery, unhappiness and... happiness. I'm aware it's a lot, but this book is very rich (no pun intended) in details, backstories, feelings, it almost feels like the reader is living those scenes as main character, instead of spectator. If you're intrigued by this book, be ready to hate and love the characters at the same time: they try their best to be their true authentic self but, in doing so, they hurt others. I can't lie, I hate all of them (besides the children) but I loved reading about them. There's a lot of pain and drama and questionable choices, and it's beautiful.
Just like Ausubel's writing, sophisticated and charming. I'll for sure read more by this author.
PS. I could definitely see this book adapted into a movie (starring Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller).
honorsenglishdropout's review
2.0
I wanted to enjoy this book so badly. The writing is painfully observant of the small things, but I felt detached from the characters and overarching themes. I know the taste of the air but I don't know who Fern is. I know the feeling of late summer, but who is Edgar beyond a hypocritical wannabe hippie?
I wish I cared more about the characters and their journey - but I found them all spoiled and listless. Real, true pain - the motif of Vietnam and Native Americans - are written about from a distance that is muted by the often superfluous problems of the main characters.
That being said, I love authors who describe the world in which we live with such clarity and insight. Those small, inconsequential, yet universal truths are hidden within each paragraph. A favorite of mine - "Fern was sure that there existed here the girl who cut everything at home: coupons, bangs, jean shorts."
I wish I cared more about the characters and their journey - but I found them all spoiled and listless. Real, true pain - the motif of Vietnam and Native Americans - are written about from a distance that is muted by the often superfluous problems of the main characters.
That being said, I love authors who describe the world in which we live with such clarity and insight. Those small, inconsequential, yet universal truths are hidden within each paragraph. A favorite of mine - "Fern was sure that there existed here the girl who cut everything at home: coupons, bangs, jean shorts."
red4reading's review
4.0
Ausubel immediately implements conflict, which instantly pushes the story forward. Both main characters are very strong and layered. The novel touches on issues such as class, wealth, race, gender, and the way in which history is interpreted. A wonderful read.
michellekmartin's review
4.0
Read this book if you love Helen Oyeyemi! For real, Ramona Ausubel's writing reminds me so much of that style: a little dark, a little strange, kind of dreamy, and all around wonderful.
Set in New England (yay!), it follows a young family and what happens when their life loses its luster after they discover they have no money left. The story switches perspective, and years, going from the wife, husband, and children. We start in current day (1976) and then alternate between current day and getting back story on how the husband and wife met and their family history. In this way, the book read a little like short stories. There were many stories within the larger story, which I really enjoyed. I had previously read Awayland by her and I would suggest starting there if you are unfamiliar with her work.
⠀
The book explored themes of motherhood, family, growing old, what it means when family money comes from a time when people did bad things, and how we try to distinguish ourselves from our parents. And all of it was in Ausubel's signature style. ⠀
Set in New England (yay!), it follows a young family and what happens when their life loses its luster after they discover they have no money left. The story switches perspective, and years, going from the wife, husband, and children. We start in current day (1976) and then alternate between current day and getting back story on how the husband and wife met and their family history. In this way, the book read a little like short stories. There were many stories within the larger story, which I really enjoyed. I had previously read Awayland by her and I would suggest starting there if you are unfamiliar with her work.
⠀
The book explored themes of motherhood, family, growing old, what it means when family money comes from a time when people did bad things, and how we try to distinguish ourselves from our parents. And all of it was in Ausubel's signature style. ⠀
mhoffrob's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this title more for its wonderful language and descriptiveness than the story line. The story line was good, but the writing was exceptional.
lemnpie_'s review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0