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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I like plenty of books with unlikeable or even despicable characters. This novel somehow achieved to present five characters so horrific that it made me more upset than reading an article about Donald Trump.
Not just your average 'two couples take a vacation together in Italy' book but a story of disintegrating marriages told by each member of the foursome in alternating chapters. A Pulitzer Prize winning author, a floundering writer, a restaurateur, a hyper obsessed, vigilant mother and an inscrutable child all intertwine. The drama plays out on the island of Sicily, far from the comfort of home and familiar surroundings. Secrets, lies, ego, denial all braid together and although things veer a bit toward soap opera, the horrific result of unintended consequences makes this a great read. Ephron has a knack for writing genuine conversation, creating tension, and creates beautiful descriptions of places. I sensed where the plot was going before I should have. A horrific event but then ------
Quick women's literature read about the disintegration of marriage and the lies we tell in relationships. It would make a fantastic movie.
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a difficult one for me to follow with the changing narration and time frame. For some reason I couldn't pair the couples together in my mind..causing me to constantly have to stop and remember who was with whom. For me they weren't dynamic enough on their own that they stood out, as they were all pretty much equally awful. The last 30 pages of the book (finally!) grabbed my attention more than at any other time. All and all it was just OK.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a well-written, sophisticated, slow-building but intriguing soap opera about two well-heeled, literate couples (one with a child) on vacation in Italy. I think the lush descriptions of food and fashion will appeal to foodies and fashionistas. With a story told in alternating first-persons by the adult characters, the narrative is excellent; these voices have a quality similar to voiceovers in a movie. One major beef: there was huge plot transition missing toward the end.
Nevertheless, this is good “women’s fiction.” I particularly appreciate the understatement of the writing—unlike so many books in this genre that I have abandoned when the endless expression and explanation of every thought and feeling bogged me down.
That said, I went into my editor’s head reading this book. I am not a big fan of split first-person perspectives. It is a lot harder to write a single first person who reveals to the reader more about the other characters and truths about himself than he knows, but for me, this perspective has a focused power that a split perspective dissipates. And I found myself imagining this story written in the voice of the character I found most interesting because he had the most secrets—a feat that would have taken this out of the soap opera realm, increased the tension from page one, and made it more powerful—on a parallel in many ways with Herman Koch’s The Dinner, which I loved. But that would have been a completely different book, so my reaction is ridiculous. Plus, women’s fiction sells better than literary fiction and is a lot easier to market because most readers do not agree with me. Hence, Delia Ephron is one smart cookie to do what she’s done, and I’ll hit myself upside-the-head now and shut up.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Nevertheless, this is good “women’s fiction.” I particularly appreciate the understatement of the writing—unlike so many books in this genre that I have abandoned when the endless expression and explanation of every thought and feeling bogged me down.
That said, I went into my editor’s head reading this book. I am not a big fan of split first-person perspectives. It is a lot harder to write a single first person who reveals to the reader more about the other characters and truths about himself than he knows, but for me, this perspective has a focused power that a split perspective dissipates. And I found myself imagining this story written in the voice of the character I found most interesting because he had the most secrets—a feat that would have taken this out of the soap opera realm, increased the tension from page one, and made it more powerful—on a parallel in many ways with Herman Koch’s The Dinner, which I loved. But that would have been a completely different book, so my reaction is ridiculous. Plus, women’s fiction sells better than literary fiction and is a lot easier to market because most readers do not agree with me. Hence, Delia Ephron is one smart cookie to do what she’s done, and I’ll hit myself upside-the-head now and shut up.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This was an intriguing story featuring some really horrible people, including a young girl. They don't like each other much, just occasionally, and I didn't like them. I'm also pretty much done with the alternating chapters from different points of view. Give me a good, strong narrator any day!
COVID-19 has me reading through a massive book backlog, so at least there's that. A contemporary drama about two couples and one child who go to Italy on vacation. The people are all terribly unlikable, but unlikable people do not necessarily make a bad book. Unfortunately, in this case, I found the book to be pretty boring. Snow is a fascinating, menacing little character--and I DO think she did it. Ephron juggles the different personas with ease, making all of them sound distinctly different, so that's an accomplishment, and some of the scenery descriptions are wonderful--but overall, I just wasn't that pulled into the domestic drama that filled up the core of the book.