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katelynprice's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I wasn't moved or challenged by this book; it just left me frustrated. I did not like this depiction of marriage at all. There was so much troubling, gratuitous content that didn't have any pay-off in the end. The whole book just made me feel icky. Some of Groff's writing was really lovely, and I was intrigued through the whole book. I didn't even consider quitting. That and the strong emotions that this book evoked from me are testaments to Groff's writing. I'm curious to read some of her other works, but this book was not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide, and Child death
Minor: Cancer, Abortion, and Body shaming
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The writing in this story blew me away; it is so poetic, lyrical, heart wrenching, and hopeful, all in the same breath.
This story is split in two. The first half of the book is told through the perspective of Lotto, and the second half of the book we get to explore his wife, Mathilde's, perspective. Lotto is a bold, passionate man who comes from wealthy parents, but does not get to see any money because he goes against his mother's wishes and marries Mathilde. Following an accident in her childhood, Mathilde is sent to live with her wealthy uncle, and she never hears from her parents.
There are always three sides to every story, and I loved getting to see how their marriage evolved over 20+ years through each of their eyes. I also really appreciated getting to see their stories before they met one another, and how their hardships molded them into the people they needed from each other. They each harbored secrets, and it was really interesting to see. I found Lotto as a person annoying, and I did not vibe with the first half of the book, but as soon as we started to get Mathilde's perspective, I was hooked.
This story is split in two. The first half of the book is told through the perspective of Lotto, and the second half of the book we get to explore his wife, Mathilde's, perspective. Lotto is a bold, passionate man who comes from wealthy parents, but does not get to see any money because he goes against his mother's wishes and marries Mathilde. Following an accident in her childhood, Mathilde is sent to live with her wealthy uncle, and she never hears from her parents.
There are always three sides to every story, and I loved getting to see how their marriage evolved over 20+ years through each of their eyes. I also really appreciated getting to see their stories before they met one another, and how their hardships molded them into the people they needed from each other. They each harbored secrets, and it was really interesting to see. I found Lotto as a person annoying, and I did not vibe with the first half of the book, but as soon as we started to get Mathilde's perspective, I was hooked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Grief, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death and Death
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