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lidoffadaffodil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hahudson1's review against another edition
4.0
This had all my favorite things: family disfunction, intense interior monologues from the lead female character, an infuriating man, and an adorable kid for some levity. The book covers many years at a quick pace, but Manguso is precise with her language. You are still pulled in and invested in the story, without feeling rushed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth for the opportunity to read and review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth for the opportunity to read and review.
zukythebookbum's review against another edition
SO GOOD! Manguso has become an auto-buy author for me. Proper review to come!!
celineks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sinnie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
boundye's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kimberlyf's review against another edition
5.0
The story centers around Jane—artist, wife, mother—who is growing slowly and ever more resentful of her distant, unhelpful, lazy partner; growing slowly more depressed; feeling more and more vexed with the minutiae of her every day life. Her husband, John, is prideful, insecure, a bully, and insists on cutting his wife down through his many manipulations.
“Calling a woman crazy is a man’s last resort when he’s failed to control her.”
This novel lacks any kind of typical structure or formatting, working in staccato sentences in an almost stream of conscious fashion. I expect that the reason behind Manguso writing this novel the way that she did is to really show—as another reviewer mentions—how Jane has fallen in to autopilot: moving through the motions of marriage and daily life while feeling completely and utterly dejected. I found the lack of thought given to the character names—John, Jane (which we hear only a time or two), and “the child” as he is often referred to—an intriguing and brilliant choice. Jane is so in her own head constantly and I loved it.
This all just felt too real and, in parts, achingly familiar. I needed to remind myself a few times that this book is being classified as fiction and not non-fiction because it read very like a memoir on nuclear family and divorce. I could understand and empathize with the narrator’s pain and frustration while also understanding her reasons for wanting to stay in a hopeless marriage. It was heartbreaking to witness. My e-book is heavily annotated with astute observations of a failing marriage and a woman filled with rage.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Pick yours up when it's out on 07/23/2024.
“Calling a woman crazy is a man’s last resort when he’s failed to control her.”
This novel lacks any kind of typical structure or formatting, working in staccato sentences in an almost stream of conscious fashion. I expect that the reason behind Manguso writing this novel the way that she did is to really show—as another reviewer mentions—how Jane has fallen in to autopilot: moving through the motions of marriage and daily life while feeling completely and utterly dejected. I found the lack of thought given to the character names—John, Jane (which we hear only a time or two), and “the child” as he is often referred to—an intriguing and brilliant choice. Jane is so in her own head constantly and I loved it.
This all just felt too real and, in parts, achingly familiar. I needed to remind myself a few times that this book is being classified as fiction and not non-fiction because it read very like a memoir on nuclear family and divorce. I could understand and empathize with the narrator’s pain and frustration while also understanding her reasons for wanting to stay in a hopeless marriage. It was heartbreaking to witness. My e-book is heavily annotated with astute observations of a failing marriage and a woman filled with rage.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Pick yours up when it's out on 07/23/2024.
rina1986_reads's review
This book reads like bullet points and I can't read another 88% of it like that!
bibliophiliac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dogsbooksandpizza's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book felt particularly suited for me as a divorced woman; I thought Manguso captured the rollercoaster of anger and justification that propels a marriage that is doomed. I really appreciated the stream of consciousness approach that vacillated from overwhelming love to boundless despair. I read it in two days and found it profoundly relatable. That being said, the organization was a bit strange for me, and I wondered why it was divided between such a long opening and a shorter ending. I’m sure it was intended to mirror elements of the plot, but I do think at least a few more chapter breaks would have been beneficial. I also felt like some areas in the middle were overly drawn out and repetitive and some parts in the end were rushed. However, overall it was a great and absorbing read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts