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megangraff's review against another edition
2.0
I confused Jennifer Weiner and Jennifer Egan. Oops. I finished it but it was pretty shallow.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
Weiner covers pretty well-trod ground in this story of a privileged Jewish woman who avoids confronting her dissatisfaction with her life after motherhood and a move to the suburbs, as well as her struggles to "do it all," by taking increasingly large numbers of prescription painkillers. Allison's difficult daughter, distant mother, job-disappointed husband, and father struggling with Alzheimer's make her turn to drugs plausible, and give us a reason to sympathize with her, despite her occasional whininess and snarky/mean comments about others. She doesn't have much of a distinct personality, beyond the whininess and snarkiness, though, which makes her story not as engaging as it might have been.
The part I enjoyed most was Weiner's depiction of life in rehab; both the dehumanization of the rehabbers, and the humor Allison musters to deal with the institution itself, seems quite similar to Cannie's response to dealing with the weight loss industry in GOOD IN BED. Lord, how I wish we'd actually gotten to see the SOUNDS OF REHAB talent show...
The part I enjoyed most was Weiner's depiction of life in rehab; both the dehumanization of the rehabbers, and the humor Allison musters to deal with the institution itself, seems quite similar to Cannie's response to dealing with the weight loss industry in GOOD IN BED. Lord, how I wish we'd actually gotten to see the SOUNDS OF REHAB talent show...
dobbydoo22's review against another edition
1.0
This is possibly the worst novel I've ever read in my life. The narrator is a caricature, not a character, and there is essentially no plot--just hundreds of pages of her inner monologue that is so flat and simple and one-dimensional that it makes it possible to be sympathetic with her even when she is facing difficult times. I've liked other books by Jennifer Weiner, but have no idea what happened with this one. I usually read 3-4 books a week, but this one took me about two months to get through because I found it too unbearable to read in more than very small chunks. The only reason I even finished it was a sense of morbid curiosity.
dkehoe's review against another edition
3.0
I was extremely disappointed with this book. A lot of what went on was not only completely unrealistic, but could never happen. Pills are much more regulated than it is made out to be in the book. For example, doctors would NEVER be allowed to just call in a prescription for a pain killer. They need to 1) see the patient in person and 2) write a handwritten script that is physically dropped off at the pharmacy. Also, doctor shopping would not me a legitimate way to get around the issue of needing more pills.
The book was an okay read, but the characters were a little flat, and it left SO MANY questions unanswered at the end of the book. What was the change in her daughter that took place? Did her and her husband ever move back in together? It never really talked about why the decision was made for them to live separately.
The book was an okay read, but the characters were a little flat, and it left SO MANY questions unanswered at the end of the book. What was the change in her daughter that took place? Did her and her husband ever move back in together? It never really talked about why the decision was made for them to live separately.
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
4.0
Finished it before work this AM. Definitely an after school special for grown up women, but I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.
3.5/5
3.5/5
jojo_27's review against another edition
2.0
The protagonist had no actual personality to speak of; it was hard to get invested in her struggles or care what happened to her. I don't actually care enough about this book to write any more than this.
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
Allison's story of drug abuse is sad, yet hopeful.
Listening length: 12 hr
Listening length: 12 hr
mcox2016's review against another edition
4.0
Good easy read. While I cannot relate to the whole family aspect of trying to raise a kid and a failing marriage, I can relate to the drug abuse and feeling overwhelmed at most times.
speete's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0