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missjasminejewel's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
tansyb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An otherwise fantastically funny and enjoyable book, but sadly undermined by an (un)healthy dose of 80s racism and homophobia!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Lesbophobia
carojust's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I’ll start by saying I’m a huge Nora Ephron fan. “You’ve Got Mail” is embedded in my soul — the witty dialogue, the New York romanticism, the literary ASMR-ness of her writing and take on relationships.
I found this in “Heartburn” — the same sense of humor and lighthearted narration of the discovery of an affair while pregnant. It felt real, and I had to confirm it was inspired by what really happened in her second marriage.
For me, it’s all a little too goofy, maybe because it’s a book of its time, with dated observations and 1980s references that I can’t fault it for. However, this comes with racism, homophobia and sexism, and has the tone of the White privileged bobo class that was aspirational then, but hard to read today. If I could get past that, it’d be a fun read, and a cathartic reflection on infidelity and finding the strength to start over again.
I found this in “Heartburn” — the same sense of humor and lighthearted narration of the discovery of an affair while pregnant. It felt real, and I had to confirm it was inspired by what really happened in her second marriage.
For me, it’s all a little too goofy, maybe because it’s a book of its time, with dated observations and 1980s references that I can’t fault it for. However, this comes with racism, homophobia and sexism, and has the tone of the White privileged bobo class that was aspirational then, but hard to read today. If I could get past that, it’d be a fun read, and a cathartic reflection on infidelity and finding the strength to start over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
bellsdixon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Lesbophobia
yeoldeeclair's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
imds's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Cancer, Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Deportation
rosalux's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
mattyvreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Nora Ephron is one of the funniest writers I have ever had the privilege of reading, and I am inspired by how she imbues her stories with emotionality and humanity. Her turn of phrase is effortlessly hilarious and sardonic. I have never read a book that made me laugh out loud as much.
I would say about 85% of this book has aged beautifully. There are a couple questionable parts, but including a flagrant and obviously purposeful overuse of a sapphic slur. At the very least, even though presumably well intentioned, there is some lamp-shading there.
Overall, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. I absolutely adored this book.
I would say about 85% of this book has aged beautifully. There are a couple questionable parts, but including a flagrant and obviously purposeful overuse of a sapphic slur. At the very least, even though presumably well intentioned, there is some lamp-shading there.
Overall, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. I absolutely adored this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Medical content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Suicide
taylorbrooke's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Lesbophobia
matt_needs_medicating's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
There were times where I was so frustrated with Rachel and how she would just roll over for Mark, before I realised that life and relationships aren’t as clear-cut as I want them to be, and Rachel’s reaction to his infidelity very real and a product of her society. She accepted the way she was treated because all the characters around her expected that of her. It made for a very satisfying conclusion when she finally stood up for herself.
Some elements of the book are dated, especially some of the language used, but I won’t count that heavily against this book since it would’ve (unfortunately) been ‘acceptable’ at the time of publication.
I’m a big fan of Nora Ephron’s movies so I had a hunch I’d enjoy this book and I glad to be proven right. A short, fun, and hopeful read.
Some elements of the book are dated, especially some of the language used, but I won’t count that heavily against this book since it would’ve (unfortunately) been ‘acceptable’ at the time of publication.
I’m a big fan of Nora Ephron’s movies so I had a hunch I’d enjoy this book and I glad to be proven right. A short, fun, and hopeful read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia