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aarrick's review against another edition
4.0
The book centers around a rich family headed by Cecelia Somners, a generous heiress who is battling a crippling disease that forces her to seek treatment at a luxurious but lonely facility. Her son George is dealing with his own issues; George has created an opera that he wants to open for New York society but it does not get the acclaim he was hoping for and it sets their family into financial turmoil. His wife Iris is an up and coming real estate agent whose face is displayed on billboards around a new subdivision that apparently isn't all that it seems.Each character is left to pick up the pieces of what they used to know and try to make it through together.
A story about a rich family dealing with issues and financial decline isn't one that usually catches the empathy of the common reader but this book does contain a bit more. It's a book about flawed characters who have relied on all they've ever known. Cecelia comes off as a grumpy and sad woman when faced with the realization that her health is failing her. George is a proud man who sees firsthand what failure looks like and it changes his world forever. Iris comes off very naive and has to pick up where George left off when he loses the will to do anything.
It wasn't the most interesting or evoking book as you can't relate to the characters nor do you sympathize for their mistakes and fortune. The writing was nice enough that it was easy to imagine what the houses, opera, and facility looked like so it definitely brought an imagery to the story. There were parts that surprised me and the end was definitely unexpected. I wouldn't say this is a lighthearted read but it definitely invokes summer beach reading vibes that would make it good for traveling or relaxing. It definitely would appeal to those who like flawed characters and dysfunctional families.
A story about a rich family dealing with issues and financial decline isn't one that usually catches the empathy of the common reader but this book does contain a bit more. It's a book about flawed characters who have relied on all they've ever known. Cecelia comes off as a grumpy and sad woman when faced with the realization that her health is failing her. George is a proud man who sees firsthand what failure looks like and it changes his world forever. Iris comes off very naive and has to pick up where George left off when he loses the will to do anything.
It wasn't the most interesting or evoking book as you can't relate to the characters nor do you sympathize for their mistakes and fortune. The writing was nice enough that it was easy to imagine what the houses, opera, and facility looked like so it definitely brought an imagery to the story. There were parts that surprised me and the end was definitely unexpected. I wouldn't say this is a lighthearted read but it definitely invokes summer beach reading vibes that would make it good for traveling or relaxing. It definitely would appeal to those who like flawed characters and dysfunctional families.
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
4.0
A poignant story with some beautiful writing. Some insight into how the "other half" live. I really felt for the characters and was curious to see how it would wind up. Money changes everything and it's curious to see its effect on otherwise "normal" people, of which anything can happen depending on behavior.
Thanks to Goodreads for a copy to read and review, honestly. A worthy, insightful read.
Thanks to Goodreads for a copy to read and review, honestly. A worthy, insightful read.
motormommy's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book. Perhaps it was because I so recently read “Age of Innocence” or that I live in Connecticut. It wasn’t at all what I expected.
moirastone's review against another edition
2.0
An ambitious failure. I admire Sophie McManus' staking out dark and complicated territory, and await her next book with the hope that it will be less tell and more show.
gilmoreguide's review against another edition
1.0
Really tried on this one but ultimately gave up after 75 pages. The writing style was too clunky and choppy for me. Almost felt like a translation from another language. As for plot, no sense that it was going anywhere- cranky rich old woman and her unpleasant, possibly criminal son living out their lives. Moving on...
bkish's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just hairs away from greatness. What a tale of a family and their disturbances. It is really about their unraveling and it keeps you there. When you read something like this you love the whole idea of reading.
She is a great writer and this is her first novel
She is a great writer and this is her first novel
sm_almon's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling and a compulsive read, full of fascinating and unlikeable characters.
taylakaye's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a SUCKER for a good story about family dysfunction – and when it’s set against a backdrop that reminds you that money doesn’t, in fact, mean all your problems are solved and life is great, well…all the better. The plot builds to a huge crescendo and that it ends without tying too neat a bow on things, which I appreciated.
loroshap's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the beginning of this book, but found myself quickly annoyed which stayed with me. If the story focused solely on CeCe and Iris, I think I would have enjoyed it more - I just could not stand any aspect of George.
gillenwaaah's review against another edition
3.0
George is meant to be insufferable but jfc was reading about his life and descent into psychosis and delusion truly obnoxious. The book is incredibly effective at conveying the emotions I’m meant to be feeling and I did like Iris quite a lot but George sucked up all the air in the room to the point that I was rooting against him. Felt for Cece and really enjoyed how George demonstrates the corrupting power of wealth.