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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I really enjoy novels that reward readers who have read closely and finished the entire novel, which this book does splendidly. I enjoyed Mathilde's story much more than Lotto's, whether that is because I am also a woman and a wife, or whether that's because we had Lotto's side first and got to find out the "other half" with Mathilde, I can't really say (or is it because the wives are always more interesting). There was so much about this book that I really loved. Groff has such a wonderful grasp of prose and characterization that each character really shines on their own. I was getting so annoyed in the first half of the book with the weird 'high-brow' descriptive words, I wasn't sure if it was just Groff wandering on dictionary.com to find "literary" synonyms or if it was a character trait. After reading the second half, I believe it was just Lotto being Lotto- always a bit 'out there' and reaching, striving for the greatness that he felt was his due in a nonchalant kind of way. The sexual stuff was uncomfortable for me (SO much of it throughout the book), especially with Mathilde becoming basically a sex slave the minute she turned 18 and it lasting for FOUR YEARS. Was that to show us how tough she was, how she could build up that wall and hide herself from everyone? Or was it to show how she was nothing like Lotto imagined her? Both? I also really hated that she burned the evidence against Chollie. To me that seemed out of character; why pursue revenge and then back off at the last minute due to some kid you slept with (who was actually technically a stepson of sorts); was this to show Mathilde softening to the world? I also felt a bit lost with all the Greek gods and goddesses- I am not familiar with any of them or their stories and perhaps missed more of the subtleties of using those myths and characters.
In reading other reviews I am glad to see I wasn't the only one who found a lot about the characters unbelievable or far-fetched (I thought maybe my reading tastes just weren't refined enough) and also thought there was way to much sexual stuff in there (figured maybe I was a prude). Aside from all that, I mostly enjoyed the novel, and it left me with more to think about after finishing.
In reading other reviews I am glad to see I wasn't the only one who found a lot about the characters unbelievable or far-fetched (I thought maybe my reading tastes just weren't refined enough) and also thought there was way to much sexual stuff in there (figured maybe I was a prude). Aside from all that, I mostly enjoyed the novel, and it left me with more to think about after finishing.
worked hard to get to page 183 before Everett was born and the book is due at the library. I have a feeling I won't be coming back to this one
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had to really commit to finishing this one. I checked it out from the library twice and was super disinterested until the second half. That said, I found the ending to be compelling fiction.
The Fates and Furies experience was similar to reading Goldfinch. For good and for bad.
The Fates and Furies experience was similar to reading Goldfinch. For good and for bad.
There were several points in the first half of the book that I almost stopped reading, but glad I didn't, the second half of the story (Mathilde's story) was worth sticking around for.
Opgehouden bij 61%. Komt flitsend op gang, niet zozeer door het verhaal, over een relatie tussen een jongen en een meisje, maar door de bloemrijke en snedige manier van vertellen. Gaandeweg was dat voor mij toch niet meer genoeg. Vond het vervelend om toneelstukken te moeten lezen en haakte definitief af toen de jeugd van Mathilde werd omschreven als erger dan erg. Te veel scheppen erbovenop.
excellent writing from Groff and an amazingly told story. I'm continually amazed by how she pulls you in and throws in twists and turns that are completely unexpected. this is a great story of a marriage. I would never set out to read about marriage, but she takes a story composed and told through inner dialogue (which is really popular right now) and pulls you into these characters whether you want to be into their heads or not. a truly great work of fiction.
Wow, what an epic book! To me, the first half was a bit dull and the language too flowery/poetic... but the second half really redeemed it. Definitely worth pushing through. I was impressed by the depth and layers in this book.
I couldn't wait to finish it, yet simultaneously wished it would never end. So beautiful.
Fates and Furies is to Gone Girl as Conversations With Friends is to Normal People