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kba76's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I’m really unsure about this as for such a large part of the book I found myself repelled by the main character.
For reasons we never have satisfactorily explained, our main character - Sam - is left by her husband who wants a divorce. She claims to have had no idea that there was a problem, satisfied with their rituals and routines as they raise their son. David, for some reason we never find out about, is unsatisfied and takes it upon himself to leave. Bizarrely, he’s hooked up with an apartment and new woman faster than you can say it, so it seems that this is something he certainly has planned for.
Following Sam in those first few days was tough. Such a life of privilege, and clearly stunned by what has happened but her reaction - buying thousands of pounds worth of stuff from Tiffanys - was so far removed from what your average reader is going to experience that it was hard to muster much sympathy for her.
The book focuses on Sam's attempt to get on with her life. She takes in random flatmates and acquires a new friend who seems to accept her for herself. As the book continues she became a little more sympathetic, and I did give a little cheer when she rejects her husband who has his dalliance and then thinks he can pick up where he was!
For reasons we never have satisfactorily explained, our main character - Sam - is left by her husband who wants a divorce. She claims to have had no idea that there was a problem, satisfied with their rituals and routines as they raise their son. David, for some reason we never find out about, is unsatisfied and takes it upon himself to leave. Bizarrely, he’s hooked up with an apartment and new woman faster than you can say it, so it seems that this is something he certainly has planned for.
Following Sam in those first few days was tough. Such a life of privilege, and clearly stunned by what has happened but her reaction - buying thousands of pounds worth of stuff from Tiffanys - was so far removed from what your average reader is going to experience that it was hard to muster much sympathy for her.
The book focuses on Sam's attempt to get on with her life. She takes in random flatmates and acquires a new friend who seems to accept her for herself. As the book continues she became a little more sympathetic, and I did give a little cheer when she rejects her husband who has his dalliance and then thinks he can pick up where he was!
maryann573's review
4.0
There's nothing I like better than a bunch of quirky characters who end up happy. This was just charming and it made me laugh lots. The older I get the more valuable I find little books like this one.
book_concierge's review
4.0
When David decides to leave Sam, Sam does the "logical" thing - she goes shopping and spends $12,000 at Tiffany's. Eventually she awakens from her most feared nightmare and begins to live her life for herself rather than for her husband.
kscaldwell's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.5
anna3101's review
4.0
I liked this book for the authenticity of feelings. I was inside Sam's head all the time and it felt real. For anyone who ever experienced the pain of a break-up, this book will be a worthwhile read.
jlfields925's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
2011merp's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
somanybookstoread's review
3.0
Flat and predictable! Nothing special here. So far I've read four books by Elizabeth Berg. Both short story collections were very good. Both novels were not very good.