Reviews

This book was surprisingly good as it is not my normal genre. There were certain lines that made me feel more human. I nearly cried at the end because of how attached to the characters I got. I liked the approach to the pandemic, where it usually annoys me in other books. I also like the feeling that we got let in on secrets that the girls did not know.

princesswolverine's review against another edition

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5.0

I will say that I have listened to other books of this author’s, and while I enjoyed them, I have not given any of the others 5 stars. My delight in this book is likely due to a couple large factors for me specifically: Meryl Streep’s performance of it, there simply is no better casting for me for the narrator portrayal in this book. It is spot. On. Also, the book’s connection to Michigan, specifically its multiple mentions of East Detroit, which is near and dear to my heart.

emreadswithtea's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.25

tlacroix23's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

acornell's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

k_gregz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Meryl Streep as the audiobook narrator was perfect, though I could not stop spotting Mamma Mia similarities as a result. I'll have to check out more Patchett.

archetypewriter's review against another edition

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DNF at 66%. The parts about cherry-picking had some charm, but I just hated the reminiscing about acting. It felt as though the main character was in some version of the same play maybe half-a-dozen times (though it was probably three or four), as well as acting in a film, commercials, and a sitcom. We learn nothing about her time on the sitcom or filming the commercials and precious little about her time on the film. Her years in the theater were largely spent on cigarettes, alcohol, and a boyfriend who went on to become famous. He smoked and drank, and became famous that's all I learned about him, other than his name. Like most of the novel's characters, he lacked distinguishing traits and was incredibly dull. However, the main character's three daughters are fascinated with him and want to keep hearing more about him because for some reason they haven't already heard a ton about this famous, super-boring guy their mom used to date. Whyyyyy... didn't I stop reading sooner?

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