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2.89 AVERAGE
2.89 AVERAGE
This book is about deceptive, self-obsessed, shallow people who experience very real pain. The characters are not likeable, but they got under my sin. I felt shaken and unsettled at the end.
I can't remember the last time I gave up on a book. I have made it a point of pride, in fact, to always finish what I start out of fairness to the author. But this one was just unbearable.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Frankly, I was expecting more from a book featured so prominently on assorted best seller lists. I think parts of the story are lost on me simply by virtue of having grown up thousands of miles from New York and thus from the slice of intellectual society that Messud portrays here. The endless stream of character neuroses, social functions, and musings both published and unpublished were well-depicted but felt like empty calories. However, owing to the fact that I'm about the same age as the main characters, every now and again throughout the story there was a scene that just sort of hit me the right way.
Although there's really nothing to say "this was terrible" about the book, I have found any number of books occupying adjacent shelves in bookstores far more compelling.
Although there's really nothing to say "this was terrible" about the book, I have found any number of books occupying adjacent shelves in bookstores far more compelling.
this took me longer to read than usual, mainly because i hated 99.9% of the characters. just when they started growing on me, the ending went where i did not want it to go. i will not ruin the book for people who want to read it, but if you've read it, we'll discuss.
I'm conflicted. I read this book quickly -- the story line compelled me. But the characters seemed pretty unlikable. These three close friends from Brown seemed to have very few redeeming qualities. And for close friends, they didn't seem to like each other very much. The misfit cousin Booty was pretty hilarious, but why did Messud have to remind us every few pages that he was fat? I don't know why I gave this four stars. How is it that I liked it and hated it simultaneously?
I didn't finish this book. I'll probably kick myself for that, but I just couldn't stay interested in the characters. I think I'll keep it, though, and give it another try later.