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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Complex situation, complex couples, brilliantly portrayed. Moriarty’s technique of alternating chapters with “The Day of the Barbecue” narrative is a great device. Eventually, we find out what happened, of course. Wonderful how she tied it all together.
This is not about what happens, but the very imperfect people we are and who we affect with our imperfect decisions. I love a good character-driven novel. Gone Girl, this is not. And I mean that in a good way (and I liked Gone Girl too!).
I really liked Big Little Lies, but this book went on far too long. By the midpoint, we still don't know what happened at the fateful barbecue, and, when it's finally revealed, it's an anticlimax. The characters also weren't well-developed, and so I didn't care much about them. Sigh.
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Pregnancy
emotional
mysterious
slow-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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my least favorite book by Liane Moriarty
Erica and Oliver felt flat to me, I understand it is due to their trauma from childhood, I honestly just wanted more from them as people as the book went on, especially Oliver.
Clementine and Sam seemed like every couple you know, frazzled but great looking in, cracks in the foundation that are easily repaired with a little work and focus on each other.
Vid and Tiffany were honestly my favorite, they seemed the most real couple to me, even with his over the top attitude towards life, he was a breath of fresh air to be honest.
Harry was a grumpy old man and when his story came out it was truly heartbreaking and I hurt for him.
The story line had promise, and I did want to finish to know what really happened the day of the BBQ, overall the story was drawn out and there were many unnecessary details in my opinion. Based on previous books I have read/listened to I just wanted more.
Erica and Oliver felt flat to me, I understand it is due to their trauma from childhood, I honestly just wanted more from them as people as the book went on, especially Oliver.
Clementine and Sam seemed like every couple you know, frazzled but great looking in, cracks in the foundation that are easily repaired with a little work and focus on each other.
Vid and Tiffany were honestly my favorite, they seemed the most real couple to me, even with his over the top attitude towards life, he was a breath of fresh air to be honest.
Harry was a grumpy old man and when his story came out it was truly heartbreaking and I hurt for him.
The story line had promise, and I did want to finish to know what really happened the day of the BBQ, overall the story was drawn out and there were many unnecessary details in my opinion. Based on previous books I have read/listened to I just wanted more.
First of all, what are the odds that I would read 2 books about female cellists at the same time?
This novel was slow-starting. The time periods shift from the "Day of the Barbecue" to what happened before and after. Instead of that being suspenseful, as I assume the author intended, I found it annoyingly teasing. Please, just get to it. What happened? Once we find out what we think happened at the Barbecue, things get interesting. This is where the Jodi Picoultesque moral deliberations and interpersonal relationships come into play. Things aren't necessarily the way we perceive them to be. I didn't feel like things were resolved at the end. Loose ends were left wafting in the wind. Was that intentional? A sequel perhaps? Or it is just that there are no real, firm resolutions in life?
It was well-written and would make for a good book club discussion.
This novel was slow-starting. The time periods shift from the "Day of the Barbecue" to what happened before and after. Instead of that being suspenseful, as I assume the author intended, I found it annoyingly teasing. Please, just get to it. What happened? Once we find out what we think happened at the Barbecue, things get interesting. This is where the Jodi Picoultesque moral deliberations and interpersonal relationships come into play. Things aren't necessarily the way we perceive them to be. I didn't feel like things were resolved at the end. Loose ends were left wafting in the wind. Was that intentional? A sequel perhaps? Or it is just that there are no real, firm resolutions in life?
It was well-written and would make for a good book club discussion.
Took me awhile to get into this one, but when I did I loved it.
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Did the audiobook for this