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novelvisits's review against another edition
4.0
{My Thoughts}
Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw was a very different sort of story and one that I enjoyed from start to finish. I found its central character, Cate, immensely appealing. At 42, she was still a bit of a mess. She’d always worked as a set designer in the Chicago theater world, having gained respect, but never quite breaking through to the next level. Cate’s long-ago ex-husband (even more of a mess than Cate) was camped out in her guest room and Cate, herself, was torn between her relationships with two different women. Throw into all this Neale, Cate’s best friend since childhood, and her son Joe, and you’ve got a full cast of interesting characters hovering around Cate.
At first Right After the Weather might seem like a simple a story of how Cate figures out life and finally becomes a real grown up. And in fact, much of the story did revolve around her struggles with knowing what was healthy, knowing what she should be doing, yet wanting something different. That struggle made Cate so likable and so endearing to me. I found myself rooting for her, even as I knew something terrible was going to happen.
“Now a heavy velvet curtain has risen, revealing all around her a lively pageant of possible danger. She not only sees it, but feels it whispering over her skin, as though, even when she’s fully dressed, a fresh patch of nakedness has presented itself. The very peculiar thing is that this doesn’t make her frightened; rather, it enlivens her.”
I refuse to give away as much as the publisher, but will say that Cate’s life was upended by an act of violence she could have never anticipated. (If you want more details, read the blurb). The second half of the book, Cate is still trying to keep her life moving forward, all the while dealing with what happened; its affect on her, but even more so on Cate’s relationships with the people most important in her life. The ending was bittersweet, but so well played by Anshaw. I don’t think Right After the Weather will be a book for everyone. Some might shun the violence or the quirky characters, but for those who enjoy a little grit and a story that feels very real, this is a book you should definitely read.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Atria Books (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/
Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw was a very different sort of story and one that I enjoyed from start to finish. I found its central character, Cate, immensely appealing. At 42, she was still a bit of a mess. She’d always worked as a set designer in the Chicago theater world, having gained respect, but never quite breaking through to the next level. Cate’s long-ago ex-husband (even more of a mess than Cate) was camped out in her guest room and Cate, herself, was torn between her relationships with two different women. Throw into all this Neale, Cate’s best friend since childhood, and her son Joe, and you’ve got a full cast of interesting characters hovering around Cate.
At first Right After the Weather might seem like a simple a story of how Cate figures out life and finally becomes a real grown up. And in fact, much of the story did revolve around her struggles with knowing what was healthy, knowing what she should be doing, yet wanting something different. That struggle made Cate so likable and so endearing to me. I found myself rooting for her, even as I knew something terrible was going to happen.
“Now a heavy velvet curtain has risen, revealing all around her a lively pageant of possible danger. She not only sees it, but feels it whispering over her skin, as though, even when she’s fully dressed, a fresh patch of nakedness has presented itself. The very peculiar thing is that this doesn’t make her frightened; rather, it enlivens her.”
I refuse to give away as much as the publisher, but will say that Cate’s life was upended by an act of violence she could have never anticipated. (If you want more details, read the blurb). The second half of the book, Cate is still trying to keep her life moving forward, all the while dealing with what happened; its affect on her, but even more so on Cate’s relationships with the people most important in her life. The ending was bittersweet, but so well played by Anshaw. I don’t think Right After the Weather will be a book for everyone. Some might shun the violence or the quirky characters, but for those who enjoy a little grit and a story that feels very real, this is a book you should definitely read.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Atria Books (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/
knittyreader's review against another edition
2.0
This novel has so many promising things! It is the way they all seem shoved together that made the plot fall flat, and with that the novel not really appealing to read on. I loved parts of it, and still had to struggle to finish it.
The reason it did not become a dnf is mostly the way I could relate to Cate in terms of social awkwardness. Like this quote:
Followed by explaining how she kept over-thinking about what went wrong, and what could go better. I can do that too. I know table manners for instance, but I still am overthinking them every single time. I've always been and still am the silent one, because I cannot figure out how or when to interrupt people without being awkward. I loved this part of Cate!
The realization that it can be privilege that keeps people on the good side of the poverty line, I liked that too.
However, there were the things that were ... not so great too. Like, the ethical creepyness of Maureen was way over the line of being realistic. I mean, certain things might happen, but ... no, just no. And the whole 'Cate was straight, then had a fake straight phase before coming out'? WTF??? Like, being straight or queer is not a phase, you're not straight and then not. One or the other is fake, but it's not first the one, then the other, with a fake period in between.
All in all this has not been the worst book I've ever read, and it certainly had some good things in it. I would not reccomend it though.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
The reason it did not become a dnf is mostly the way I could relate to Cate in terms of social awkwardness. Like this quote:
Table manners are just one of a list of small social concerns she should probably have sorted by now, but hasn't. Interrupting is another.
Followed by explaining how she kept over-thinking about what went wrong, and what could go better. I can do that too. I know table manners for instance, but I still am overthinking them every single time. I've always been and still am the silent one, because I cannot figure out how or when to interrupt people without being awkward. I loved this part of Cate!
The realization that it can be privilege that keeps people on the good side of the poverty line, I liked that too.
However, there were the things that were ... not so great too. Like, the ethical creepyness of Maureen was way over the line of being realistic. I mean, certain things might happen, but ... no, just no. And the whole 'Cate was straight, then had a fake straight phase before coming out'? WTF??? Like, being straight or queer is not a phase, you're not straight and then not. One or the other is fake, but it's not first the one, then the other, with a fake period in between.
All in all this has not been the worst book I've ever read, and it certainly had some good things in it. I would not reccomend it though.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
joyfulpages's review against another edition
1.0
I found this book extremely underwhelming. Blurb is definitely sensationalist considering nothing really changes for the main character after the “big event”. I didn’t have major issues with the characters, and found the dive into theater set design actually kind of fascinating, but as a whole I didn’t see the reason behind writing this story down in the first place. Felt like the author held back any groundbreaking thoughts in order to tie the story up faster. Big womp womp.
ALSO WHY WAS THERE A RANDOM ROMANTIC INCEST STORYLINE THAT NEVER WENT ANYWHERE ?! WHY ??
ALSO WHY WAS THERE A RANDOM ROMANTIC INCEST STORYLINE THAT NEVER WENT ANYWHERE ?! WHY ??
marilynw's review against another edition
3.0
Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw
Cate is a 40-ish set designer living in Chicago. Her ex husband, from long ago, is living in her spare room, she is being stalked by her ex Dana and she has a budding relationship with Meredith. Cate is funny, scatterbrained, and a good friend. It's when we are in her head, hearing her every thought, that we get to see that Cate isn't as sweet and non judgmental as we thought she was. Still, even her inner thoughts can be funny if not a bit, or a lot, hypocritical.
Cate is really a very lucky 40-ish woman despite her unhappiness with how much of her life is progressing. She has parents and an ex husband who can bolster her financially and in many ways she seems to be able to hold off becoming the adult most people need to be at the age of 40. Then, into Cate's life comes a violent event, one that she is very much a part of and Cate feels shattered.
As much as I enjoyed some of the book, it never really went anywhere. We don't get resolutions for much of anything which can be like real life, sometimes. But when reading a novel, it'd be nice to have a sense of something moving forward. I guess Cate is going to keep floundering through life, second guessing herself, but being semi okay.
Published October 1, 2019
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Cate is a 40-ish set designer living in Chicago. Her ex husband, from long ago, is living in her spare room, she is being stalked by her ex Dana and she has a budding relationship with Meredith. Cate is funny, scatterbrained, and a good friend. It's when we are in her head, hearing her every thought, that we get to see that Cate isn't as sweet and non judgmental as we thought she was. Still, even her inner thoughts can be funny if not a bit, or a lot, hypocritical.
Cate is really a very lucky 40-ish woman despite her unhappiness with how much of her life is progressing. She has parents and an ex husband who can bolster her financially and in many ways she seems to be able to hold off becoming the adult most people need to be at the age of 40. Then, into Cate's life comes a violent event, one that she is very much a part of and Cate feels shattered.
As much as I enjoyed some of the book, it never really went anywhere. We don't get resolutions for much of anything which can be like real life, sometimes. But when reading a novel, it'd be nice to have a sense of something moving forward. I guess Cate is going to keep floundering through life, second guessing herself, but being semi okay.
Published October 1, 2019
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
readingwithmygoldens's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Rounded Up
I think I read Carol Anshaw's previous book, but I can't be certain. So let's just call me a novice. Initially, I was going to pass on reading this, but a publicist sent it to me so I felt obligated to give it a try. Quite honestly, based on the early reviews I had seen, I was expecting this to go in the DNF pile. At the beginning, I thought this was going to be too 'high brow' for me. As you can see, it wasn't and I actually liked it. However, I can't see myself recommending this to anyone though, either. Yeah, I know...that makes no sense. I'll try to explain....
Ms. Anshaw is without a doubt, a very gifted writer. There were parts that I really, really liked. I also felt that this was a challenge for me as a reader and I'm glad I took on that challenge. The story is told from the perspective of Cate who is a set designer, in her 40's and gay. The setting is Chicago in the fall of 2016. I had no idea this book was going to discuss the election so much, but it served as an ominous backdrop through out. (I would skip the book right away if this isn't your cup of tea or if you just can't handle it right now. It's not really avoidable.)
Cate is struggling. Her ex-husband and his dog are staying with her while he goes through a breakup with his then wife. She is also trying to get over a massively damaging relationship that just ended by moving forward with a new relationship that she would normally have passed on, but now is trying to convince herself to stay in. Her career is kind of at a standstill and she only has her best friend Neale, to get her through. Everything kind of ho-hum's along until it doesn't. Then everything is so turned upside down that Cate has no where to go, but up. I don't have much in common with the main character, but boy did I relate to how she felt about some things. Ms. Anshaw's eloquent prose struck several chords with me and her resilience was easy to root for.
While I thought this was a worthwhile read, it is definitely a different read. There is a lot going on. You're plodding along, you've got the lay of the land and then boom, out of nowhere comes a different story injected into it. It's jarring and it's meant to be jarring. But then the event happens more than half way through the book and then that perspective disappears. So I don't quite understand the point of putting that alternate perspective in the book to begin with. I'm fine with it being put in there, but to me it feels like it was just abandoned after the event took place.
Second, I don't know if this was on purpose, but there were things in here (particularly with the current gf storyline) that were just plain strange and even gross. You'll know what I'm talking about if you read it. I know that was the point (the shock factor as a plot device), but really? I dunno, that almost turned me off completely and I could see it happening to many others.
So to surmise, I don't have a neat and tidy "read this!" or "skip it" at the end of this review. I guess the best way to put it was this was kind of like reading something for AP English that I never would have picked up myself, (and I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would), but I wouldn't run out and buy a copy for a friend. This book is for a particular mindset and reader; not for the masses. If I were to guess, I think the author would be okay with that and I guess that's all that really matters.
Thank you to Isabel DaSilva, Atria Books and Carol Anshaw for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
Review Date: 10/7/19
Publication Date: 10/1/19
I think I read Carol Anshaw's previous book, but I can't be certain. So let's just call me a novice. Initially, I was going to pass on reading this, but a publicist sent it to me so I felt obligated to give it a try. Quite honestly, based on the early reviews I had seen, I was expecting this to go in the DNF pile. At the beginning, I thought this was going to be too 'high brow' for me. As you can see, it wasn't and I actually liked it. However, I can't see myself recommending this to anyone though, either. Yeah, I know...that makes no sense. I'll try to explain....
Ms. Anshaw is without a doubt, a very gifted writer. There were parts that I really, really liked. I also felt that this was a challenge for me as a reader and I'm glad I took on that challenge. The story is told from the perspective of Cate who is a set designer, in her 40's and gay. The setting is Chicago in the fall of 2016. I had no idea this book was going to discuss the election so much, but it served as an ominous backdrop through out. (I would skip the book right away if this isn't your cup of tea or if you just can't handle it right now. It's not really avoidable.)
Cate is struggling. Her ex-husband and his dog are staying with her while he goes through a breakup with his then wife. She is also trying to get over a massively damaging relationship that just ended by moving forward with a new relationship that she would normally have passed on, but now is trying to convince herself to stay in. Her career is kind of at a standstill and she only has her best friend Neale, to get her through. Everything kind of ho-hum's along until it doesn't. Then everything is so turned upside down that Cate has no where to go, but up. I don't have much in common with the main character, but boy did I relate to how she felt about some things. Ms. Anshaw's eloquent prose struck several chords with me and her resilience was easy to root for.
While I thought this was a worthwhile read, it is definitely a different read. There is a lot going on. You're plodding along, you've got the lay of the land and then boom, out of nowhere comes a different story injected into it. It's jarring and it's meant to be jarring. But then the event happens more than half way through the book and then that perspective disappears. So I don't quite understand the point of putting that alternate perspective in the book to begin with. I'm fine with it being put in there, but to me it feels like it was just abandoned after the event took place.
Second, I don't know if this was on purpose, but there were things in here (particularly with the current gf storyline) that were just plain strange and even gross. You'll know what I'm talking about if you read it. I know that was the point (the shock factor as a plot device), but really? I dunno, that almost turned me off completely and I could see it happening to many others.
So to surmise, I don't have a neat and tidy "read this!" or "skip it" at the end of this review. I guess the best way to put it was this was kind of like reading something for AP English that I never would have picked up myself, (and I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would), but I wouldn't run out and buy a copy for a friend. This book is for a particular mindset and reader; not for the masses. If I were to guess, I think the author would be okay with that and I guess that's all that really matters.
Thank you to Isabel DaSilva, Atria Books and Carol Anshaw for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
Review Date: 10/7/19
Publication Date: 10/1/19
kierbart89's review against another edition
1.0
I knew this was going to be a tough book to get through from the very first page. When I read in the very first sentence, “Cate prowls across a vast plain of old office desks,” I had a red flag go up that this book was going to be over written. And my instincts were not off. There was actual dialogue where one character says, “She’s plighting her troth.” That is not a thing anyone says.
Then, there is the fact that the book jacket is entirely misleading. You could skip the first half of the book and just read the first paragraph of the book jacket and not miss anything important. You’d read the summary and think most of the book is about how Cate and Neale navigate their relationship after Neale’s assault. In reality, Neale’s assault doesn’t happen until page 140 in a 270-page book. And then the last 130 pages don’t even answer the questions posed on the book jacket: “How does she move forward from this new and isolated vantage point?” I don’t’ really know! Because the book abruptly ended without any resolution or answer to that question.
Final major complaint: there are super weird, random first-person chapters from Nathan, Neale’s attacker. These chapters feel so out of place. Why are they first person? How are we, the readers, coming across these first-person insights? I don’t know. And I don’t think these sections add anything to the narrative.
In sum, this book isn’t about the plot, it is about the characters…but it’s pretending to be a plot-driven novel and it just doesn’t work. This book was so frustrating it took me 11 days to get through when it should have taken 3-4. I wish I had that time back.
Then, there is the fact that the book jacket is entirely misleading. You could skip the first half of the book and just read the first paragraph of the book jacket and not miss anything important. You’d read the summary and think most of the book is about how Cate and Neale navigate their relationship after Neale’s assault. In reality, Neale’s assault doesn’t happen until page 140 in a 270-page book. And then the last 130 pages don’t even answer the questions posed on the book jacket: “How does she move forward from this new and isolated vantage point?” I don’t’ really know! Because the book abruptly ended without any resolution or answer to that question.
Final major complaint: there are super weird, random first-person chapters from Nathan, Neale’s attacker. These chapters feel so out of place. Why are they first person? How are we, the readers, coming across these first-person insights? I don’t know. And I don’t think these sections add anything to the narrative.
In sum, this book isn’t about the plot, it is about the characters…but it’s pretending to be a plot-driven novel and it just doesn’t work. This book was so frustrating it took me 11 days to get through when it should have taken 3-4. I wish I had that time back.
meldav4's review against another edition
4.0
I liked Right After Weather. The prose, the writing style, the spoken language were all a little different than I am used to reading, but in a unique and positive way. It flowed easily and effortlessly to me, and because I was so curious and eager to continue reading to see what would unfold, I found myself happily submerged. To me, the characters and relationships were the best part of the book. I was intrigued and curious, and loved the intricacies and raw emotion.
andreanourse's review against another edition
4.0
Right After the Weather is like a beautiful slow burn, except you never quite touch the fire.
Cate is a dynamic, rich and relatable character. Her circle of friends and family are equally dynamic.
While the story didn’t propel me forward, the prose and characters did.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Cate is a dynamic, rich and relatable character. Her circle of friends and family are equally dynamic.
While the story didn’t propel me forward, the prose and characters did.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
caryambler's review against another edition
4.0
Won in a Goodreads giveaway. An edgy humor novel about a 40 something and her messy life. Really enjoyed it.