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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
“Why was it the people who had no beef suffered the most? Like all slow are terrible wars, it was fought and borne by those who had no grievance, the most innocent enduring the worst. Because we are the ones who want peace among the grown-ups, and they still want war.”
This novel is a combination of two storylines. One, a story of two teenagers – Sasha and Ray – who share half-sisters and a vacation home – yet who have never met. Each has a vision of the other, and in that which they share, they form a completely unspoken relationship. The book starts with that being the strongest storyline – and it was once that prompted me to choose the book – but did not hold my interest. It was clearly trying to lead from a “what if two people so connected had never met” to a “what if two people who had never met fell in love” – but there was far too much going on for me to keep track. With the two sides of a family sharing the same house, but at different times and with the characters not really finding clear, separate voices until much farther info the book – I honestly couldn’t keep track of who was where and which sister was which.
But gradually the book transitions to focus more on WHY Ray and Sasha haven’t met (the hatred between the divorced parents) and the possibility that they might finally do so – under the most extreme circumstances (the warring parents being in the same place again after decades of silence).
“And what about their parents? Would they stand in the same room? Would they listen to each other’s voices? Would they shake hands? Would the world allow for that?”
I remember many years after the divorce – sitting in the same room with my parents and feeling that same thing. That this was simply not possible – these two people just couldn’t be existing in the same place at the same time – that my worlds were colliding.
And in the end, the book becomes about love after all. About love, and regret and grief. About some small, miraculous joy that comes from heart wrenching sadness. About learning far too late the consequences of one’s words and actions, but trying to find a way forward that makes those sacrifices worthwhile.
“These were the days she would later be sorry not to have appreciated. She tried to induce appreciation, mentally getting it firing like an outboard motor. It was a hard thing to will. Was it even possible to see beauty in the present at it came at you? Or did it require a dose of time and loss and maybe a little pain?”
“The Whole Thing Together” ended up being a very moving and very relatable book and the words and feelings of those children impacted by their parents’ divorce will stay with me.
The Whole Thing Together follows 7 different characters and about 80 storylines, which makes it almost impossible to give an accurate synopsis of it but imma try anyway. This book follows a dysfunctional family, one that has been split apart long before we start the book. We follow each of the 5 children of the family. It's hard to determine but the seemingly main characters of this novel are the two youngest siblings (THAT ARENT ACTUALLY RELATED) and how they share three sisters and a bedroom in their vacation home, yet they’ve never actually met.
I went into this book expecting something like the parent trap. I wanted long-lost siblings finally meeting and all the wholesome goodness that comes along with it and instead I got super weird incest vibes. (I know they aren’t actually related but, I mean, they share siblings… it’s weird.)
The worst thing about this book is that it’s really well written. So the whole time I was reading, there I was, marvelling at all the pretty words while simultaneously cringing at all the slut shaming, racism and heteronormativity. It was all very aggravating. Not to mention boring. I liked the focus on family, I liked the themes that were explored, but because there were so many characters and storylines, nothing was fully developed and the story didn't seem to follow an actual plot. Also, a romance between pseudo-siblings has no place in a book about family. I'm sorry I just don't want it.
I really, really wouldn’t recommend this book. It was cringey and boring and just all over the place. Turns out pretty writing can’t fix everything.
For example, even though the writing was nice, there were still many many many passages that had me rolling my eyes into the back of my skull. Surprise, surprise, you can still say offensive things using clever wording.
Here are some examples:
“He didn’t really want to see her like that – another girl clustered with bikini-clad friends, flashing braces and peace signs on Paradise Island or whatever. He wanted to keep alive the idea that she was different.”
“He saw boys heads swivel and gawk at the friend as the pair walked by, but his shuffly girl was the actual beauty, her lovely body hidden under modest clothes.”
“She was the kind of pretty only someone as deep as him understood.”
“As though her loveliness was something he invented.”
And it just goes on and on…. If those passages don’t turn you off from this book completely, I don’t know what will.
My Thoughts
I think one of the reasons why I enjoyed this book was that it was so different. I hadn't read a book before that dealt with characters that were connected yet didn't know one another. I really liked how broken the book is yet how wonderful things got tied together. It kind of felt like real life that way.
I can understand why some people would shy away from this book or not like it because of a plot line that could skeeve people out. Honestly, I have no problem with this. There are way worse things and there is no bloodline between Sasha and Ray, no real relation whatsover. So, it really doesn't bother me a whole lot.
One thing that I did wish there was more of within this novel is a little less POV switching. I wanted to get to know the characters a little more. But then again, that's also part of how the book is broken yet ties things together. I know this story won't be for everyone, but if you like Ann Brashares writing and are willing to read a story that is unique and a little out there, you should give this one a try!
About the Author
Ann Brashares is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now, 3 Willows, The Last Summer (of You & Me), and My Name Is Memory. She lives in New York City with her family. Visit Ann’s website at AnnBrashares.com and follow on Twitter @AnnBrashares.
Author Links: Website || Twitter || Goodreads || Facebook
Giveaway
I'm giving away 2 finished copies of THE WHOLE THING TOGETHER and anyone can enter as long as The Book Depository ships to your country! Ends April 26th at 11:59 PM CST
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Tour Schedule
March 20: Bookhounds YA
March 21: Butter My Books
March 22: Here's to Happy Endings
March 23: Fiction Fare
March 24: A Midsummer Night's Read
March 27: Emily Reads Everything
March 28: In Wonderland
March 29: The Reader Bee
March 30: Books, Music, And All Things Written
March 31: YA Book Nerd
April 3: Peace Love Books
April 4: Tales of the Ravenous Reader
April 5: Sarah's Nightstand
April 6: Novel Ink
April 7: Fangirlish
April 10: The Fandom
April 11: Liz & Lisa
April 12: Gidget Girl Reading
April 13: Art, Books, & Coffee
April 14: Leslie Lindsay
April 17: Swoony Boys Podcast
April 18: Ramblings of the Perpetual New Girl
April 19: YA Wednesdays
April 20: Rainy Days Coffee and Books
April 21: I'd So Rather Be Reading
April 22: Adventures in YA Publishing
April 24: Adventures in YA Publishing
April 25: A Dream Within A Dream
April 26: Lost in Literature
Let's talk about it!
It's not a "bad" book by any means but it's also not a book I would recommend to anyone. Each character had their own story that added to the complexity of the story. However, it is in this complexity where the story becomes completely lost. Everyone had a voice, but no one's story had a conclusion. In the end, the book felt flat. The ending was sudden and rushed.