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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
France’s best-selling novelist Virginie Grimaldi makes her American debut in A Good Life, the story of two devoted sisters who grew up with a unstable mother.
Emma dedicated her life to protecting her younger sister Agathe, sheltering her from the worst of their mother’s fits of anger and frequent visits to rehab. Summers at their beloved grandmother’s house near the ocean offered the girls a respite, a place where they knew a love that didn’t hurt.
Emma grew up too fast, had to be serious and reliable, a counterbalance to Agathe’s fits of depression and manic episodes. It wore Emma out, and she had to choose to put her own well being and own life first. After years estranged, the sisters come together for a last vacation at their grandmother’s house. For their beloved grandmother has passed and the house has been sold.
Over the week, the woman swim and remember, discover secrets, and reestablish their bond. The back story reveals a history of pain and loss that has marked them.
Told in the woman’s voices in their past and the present, their story of dedication and struggle is moving and life affirming, with a ending that requires a handkerchief. In the end, Emma considers if hers was a good life. And we will respond with a resounding “yes”.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
Emma dedicated her life to protecting her younger sister Agathe, sheltering her from the worst of their mother’s fits of anger and frequent visits to rehab. Summers at their beloved grandmother’s house near the ocean offered the girls a respite, a place where they knew a love that didn’t hurt.
Emma grew up too fast, had to be serious and reliable, a counterbalance to Agathe’s fits of depression and manic episodes. It wore Emma out, and she had to choose to put her own well being and own life first. After years estranged, the sisters come together for a last vacation at their grandmother’s house. For their beloved grandmother has passed and the house has been sold.
Over the week, the woman swim and remember, discover secrets, and reestablish their bond. The back story reveals a history of pain and loss that has marked them.
Told in the woman’s voices in their past and the present, their story of dedication and struggle is moving and life affirming, with a ending that requires a handkerchief. In the end, Emma considers if hers was a good life. And we will respond with a resounding “yes”.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Une belle histoire fraternelle que nous livre Virginie Grimaldi. J'ai aimé l'alternance entre la voix d'Emma et celle d'Agathe.
Les deux sœurs se sont éloignées mais une semaine à deux en plein mois d'août dans la maison désormais vide de leur grand-mère, comme lorsqu'elles étaient enfants va leur permettre de renouer les liens distendus. J'ai aimé cette histoire, elle m'a émue, j'aime la plume de Virginie Grimaldi.
Les deux sœurs se sont éloignées mais une semaine à deux en plein mois d'août dans la maison désormais vide de leur grand-mère, comme lorsqu'elles étaient enfants va leur permettre de renouer les liens distendus. J'ai aimé cette histoire, elle m'a émue, j'aime la plume de Virginie Grimaldi.
Uma história de amor profundo entre duas irmãs, marcadas por uma infância em um lar abusivo, que nos mostra as complexidades dos laços familiares. Emocionei-me muito em vários momentos, e o final foi devastador. Uma excelente leitura.
emotional
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.3 stars
An enjoyable book about the relationship between two sisters in the past and in the present. I liked the writing style: alternating between the past and the present from each sister’s perspective. I liked how it dealt with mental health issues and how it affected different people. It stayed true to being a book about the life and relationship of the two sisters. Other characters were secondary, and I liked that. It wasn’t a “can’t put down book”, but still it was enjoyable.
An enjoyable book about the relationship between two sisters in the past and in the present. I liked the writing style: alternating between the past and the present from each sister’s perspective. I liked how it dealt with mental health issues and how it affected different people. It stayed true to being a book about the life and relationship of the two sisters. Other characters were secondary, and I liked that. It wasn’t a “can’t put down book”, but still it was enjoyable.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm
emotional
relaxing
sad
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes