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katiereadswithjack's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
edobis84's review against another edition
2.0
I kept waiting for a twist that never came. To sum up this book: rich white people problems.
khornstein1's review against another edition
2.0
Well this was disappointing. I usually love books set in New York and am tolerant of the most silly chick lit if there is a strong New York flavor.
The characters are believable--but also unbelievably dull. And unlikable--by their own admission, the "upstairs" characters are mostly concerned with "first world problems;" the "downstairs" ones are stereotypes. Charlie can't get a promotion. Nora doesn't really like him, but can't say why.
The central drama of the story, which seems to me like Quindlen wanted to write her own "Bonfire of the Vanities," quickly fizzles out and goes no where.
That said, there are two books hidden in this novel that might really have been interesting: Nora talks about how her mother died suddenly when she was a child and then her father married her sister's second grade teacher and it was both weird and wonderful. That's a book! And then she had a long-term relationship with a boy in college who turned out to be gay, back in a more closeted earlier time...and weirdly she's still a bit caught up in that old drama, and he with her. That's a story!
And there are pugs--3 of them, rescue pugs owned the books supposedly most despicable character. And Quindlen disses them. Ugh. I love pugs! The George character could have been interesting too but it went nowhere again!
Full confession: listened on audiobook and found the narrator grating. I had liked "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" years ago. This book was a downer and a snooze.
The characters are believable--but also unbelievably dull. And unlikable--by their own admission, the "upstairs" characters are mostly concerned with "first world problems;" the "downstairs" ones are stereotypes. Charlie can't get a promotion. Nora doesn't really like him, but can't say why.
The central drama of the story, which seems to me like Quindlen wanted to write her own "Bonfire of the Vanities," quickly fizzles out and goes no where.
That said, there are two books hidden in this novel that might really have been interesting: Nora talks about how her mother died suddenly when she was a child and then her father married her sister's second grade teacher and it was both weird and wonderful. That's a book! And then she had a long-term relationship with a boy in college who turned out to be gay, back in a more closeted earlier time...and weirdly she's still a bit caught up in that old drama, and he with her. That's a story!
And there are pugs--3 of them, rescue pugs owned the books supposedly most despicable character. And Quindlen disses them. Ugh. I love pugs! The George character could have been interesting too but it went nowhere again!
Full confession: listened on audiobook and found the narrator grating. I had liked "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" years ago. This book was a downer and a snooze.
avidreader76's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
judygold's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
I liked the book but was a bit too slow and uneventful for me. Beautiful descriptions of New York and some interesting characters, but not enough happened and I sometimes forgot who was who outside the main characters
pam2375's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a little better than "just OK". The beginning was slow, but then it really opened up and I really wanted to finish.
The theme with this book reminded me of a Dr Phil ism, "I don't care how flat you make a pancake, there will always be two sides".
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced readers copy.
The theme with this book reminded me of a Dr Phil ism, "I don't care how flat you make a pancake, there will always be two sides".
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced readers copy.
mbkarapcik's review against another edition
3.0
Anna Quindlen has been my writing idol since I was in high school, and I wrote an article on the BlogHer site about how she has influenced me and my writing. I think she is a great role model for young women. Unfortunately, this book, after reading most of her repetoire, greatly disappointed me. The characters were unlikable, self-absorbed, and I never felt any real emotion except annoyance toward them, especially the main character. Some of the characters didn't seem fully-formed like the son. I wish I felt differently because some of her novels are amazing. Her last book Miller's Valley was incredible. Despite the negative review of this book, I, of course, will jump to retrieve her next book because she's so talented and inspiring.
mcearl12's review against another edition
3.0
First half was a bit slow, got well and truly involved by 2nd half tho.
becs_sw's review against another edition
4.0
This took me a while... 4 stars because I loved the end. Solid start, vague plot, and slow from ~40-75% of the way through the book. In the end, it’s a good NYC story.