Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I liked this fine. The narrator of the audiobook did a good job (made the little girl sound cute, even though she was demanding). Although the book kept my interest while I listened, I don't know if it will stick in my memory at all.
Two notes on the narration - the word "withdrawl" was said a LOT, and while I pronounce it (as does Google) wuhth·draal, this narrator said it with three syllables, with-dra-wall, and it drove me CraZy! There was also a "singing" portion, where they were coming up with new lyrics to Broadway songs. It's a pet peeve of mine to have patter-spoken words, when the character is supposed to be SINGING. If there is singing in the book, please get a narrator who will sing. It was just doubly ironic, because one lady does kind-of "speak sing" and our MC mentions how bland it is, not really being sung ... but that's how it ALL was presented in the audiobook.
As for addiction ... I think I'm addicted to sugar, but as far as any drinking/drugs go, that's not something I've ever struggled with. It is something I worry about in others though, and interesting to see how it's a slippery slope (which doesn't help my fears).
Two notes on the narration - the word "withdrawl" was said a LOT, and while I pronounce it (as does Google) wuhth·draal, this narrator said it with three syllables, with-dra-wall, and it drove me CraZy! There was also a "singing" portion, where they were coming up with new lyrics to Broadway songs. It's a pet peeve of mine to have patter-spoken words, when the character is supposed to be SINGING. If there is singing in the book, please get a narrator who will sing. It was just doubly ironic, because one lady does kind-of "speak sing" and our MC mentions how bland it is, not really being sung ... but that's how it ALL was presented in the audiobook.
As for addiction ... I think I'm addicted to sugar, but as far as any drinking/drugs go, that's not something I've ever struggled with. It is something I worry about in others though, and interesting to see how it's a slippery slope (which doesn't help my fears).
Besides a few story holes, I thoroughly enjoyed reading All Fall Down. I wish that her husband and mother could have been developed a little more.
I would give this book 4.5 stars if Goodreads gave the darned option to give a half-star.
I preface this by admitting (a la rehab-style) that I am a huge Jennifer Weiner fan, and have read some of her books several times. I love the way she writes, and there is nothing better on a hot summer day on the beach or at the pool than to have one of her books in your hand.
That said, her last few books have been mediocre, at best. I didn't enjoy them. So I began this one with great trepidation, as I was worried it was another dud. Thankfully, my fears were without merit.
This was classic Weiner. Witty, well-written, enjoyable, and relatable. Personally, I've never had an addiction or any interest in drugs or too much alcohol, but it was still easy to relate to Allison, the main character, and her struggles.
I really enjoyed this book, and was happy with the ending (which I bet ticked other people off). I didn't read the other reviews, but was surprised the overall average rating was only 3.75.... it deserves better.
Another great book from Jennifer Weiner- and holding out hope for more like this from her soon!
I preface this by admitting (a la rehab-style) that I am a huge Jennifer Weiner fan, and have read some of her books several times. I love the way she writes, and there is nothing better on a hot summer day on the beach or at the pool than to have one of her books in your hand.
That said, her last few books have been mediocre, at best. I didn't enjoy them. So I began this one with great trepidation, as I was worried it was another dud. Thankfully, my fears were without merit.
This was classic Weiner. Witty, well-written, enjoyable, and relatable. Personally, I've never had an addiction or any interest in drugs or too much alcohol, but it was still easy to relate to Allison, the main character, and her struggles.
I really enjoyed this book, and was happy with the ending (which I bet ticked other people off). I didn't read the other reviews, but was surprised the overall average rating was only 3.75.... it deserves better.
Another great book from Jennifer Weiner- and holding out hope for more like this from her soon!
I definitely enjoyed this book as I do with many of Jennifer Weiner’s books- but I felt like I read it before. And maybe I did? I thought I remembered some parts but I definitely didn’t remember as much as I should have if I had actually read it so that made me suspect that didn’t actually read it but it borrowed themes and progressions either from other JW books or other books I’ve read. But then again I could have read it in a pregnant/baby fog and retained nothing.. so this isn’t a very fair review!
In my opinion, this is definitely Jennifer Weiner’s grittiest, darkest tale and she paints a frighteningly accurate picture of the battle many women fight daily in their pursuit of perceived happiness. Forget about leaning in, the women in this novel are struggling to sit up straight and maintain a sense of themselves. No matter how far we have come as a society, Weiner illustrates the fact that, for most women, we are still expected to keep all of the loose ends tied, neatly, and look good doing it.
Allison Weiss, the novel’s main character, is married to a once-successful newspaper man and has found herself, thanks to the cutbacks in the newspaper business, taking up some of the financial slack in the family by turning her “part-time” blogging gig into a full-time freelance writing career. She is mother to a 5-year-old who has been diagnosed as “sensitive;” daughter to a father with Alzheimer’s, whose disease is progressing rapidly, and a mother who has never had to lift a finger; trying to exercise and lose the baby weight she seems stuck with; and struggling to find time for friends who, admittedly, sit in their kitchens watching the wall clock inch toward a time they feel is acceptable to have their first glass of wine for the day.
After a back injury incurred during an exercise class, Allison is prescribed some pain medication that “became less a luxury than a necessity for getting myself through the day and falling asleep at night.” There are a couple of times when Allison is hit with the realization, via her checkbook and a couple of outlying individuals, that maybe her dependence on her pills has become problematic; however, it is not until much later that Allison finds herself in a predicament that leads to her surrender “to a higher power.”
One of my favorite quotes from the book speaks to the harsh reality Allison faces when she finally sees that she is not so different from the people she judges as “addicts;” the rationalization of her problem leads her to an acceptance that would not be comfortable for most.
"There was a parallel universe that ran alongside the normal world, and if you went through the wrong door, or turned left instead of right, ran up the street instead of down it, you could accidentally push the curtain aside and end up in that other place, where everything was different and everything was wrong."
Weiner is amazing in her ability to detail the life of a high-functioning addict, and the novel reminds us that the perceived happiness exuded by others leads to a larger, broader story that yearns to be told.
Whether or not you are a fan of Jennifer Weiner, I would highly recommend this book; chances are you know someone who is going through a similar experience.
Allison Weiss, the novel’s main character, is married to a once-successful newspaper man and has found herself, thanks to the cutbacks in the newspaper business, taking up some of the financial slack in the family by turning her “part-time” blogging gig into a full-time freelance writing career. She is mother to a 5-year-old who has been diagnosed as “sensitive;” daughter to a father with Alzheimer’s, whose disease is progressing rapidly, and a mother who has never had to lift a finger; trying to exercise and lose the baby weight she seems stuck with; and struggling to find time for friends who, admittedly, sit in their kitchens watching the wall clock inch toward a time they feel is acceptable to have their first glass of wine for the day.
After a back injury incurred during an exercise class, Allison is prescribed some pain medication that “became less a luxury than a necessity for getting myself through the day and falling asleep at night.” There are a couple of times when Allison is hit with the realization, via her checkbook and a couple of outlying individuals, that maybe her dependence on her pills has become problematic; however, it is not until much later that Allison finds herself in a predicament that leads to her surrender “to a higher power.”
One of my favorite quotes from the book speaks to the harsh reality Allison faces when she finally sees that she is not so different from the people she judges as “addicts;” the rationalization of her problem leads her to an acceptance that would not be comfortable for most.
"There was a parallel universe that ran alongside the normal world, and if you went through the wrong door, or turned left instead of right, ran up the street instead of down it, you could accidentally push the curtain aside and end up in that other place, where everything was different and everything was wrong."
Weiner is amazing in her ability to detail the life of a high-functioning addict, and the novel reminds us that the perceived happiness exuded by others leads to a larger, broader story that yearns to be told.
Whether or not you are a fan of Jennifer Weiner, I would highly recommend this book; chances are you know someone who is going through a similar experience.
Quick page turner. Great story. Always love this author. This book is more serious than her previous books. A drug addicted suburban housewife tries to reclaim her life.
First time for a Jennifer Weiner book. Perhaps not the best choice for a first. I kept telling myself, it will get better. Nope. But I had to finish it. I really could not find any empathy for the main character. So nothing else worked.