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elizabethh724's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
This book is close to a 3.5 as I enjoyed most of the book, refreshingly set in the mid 1970s. I enjoyed Alex's point of view as a somewhat inexperienced young wife with 2 young daughters she loves very much. This book gently guided us into the backdrop of the time, along with the pot smoking at parties and easy sexual banter. Alex started out pretty happy in her relationship although not really satisfied in the bedroom. The ovolacto vegetarian line threw me because she proceeds to make beef, chicken for her family. Her foray into swinging was gradual and then swift. Her family and inlaws didn't really understand although they warned her mostly of husband's straying ways. So as liberated as women might have felt, she was the one mostly judged for being with another woman's husband, while her husband may have *redacted* the wife of the man Alex was sleeping with, it seemed more Donny's idea than hers... she should have been more angry her husband might have *redacted* Paula except she didn't, maybe because she was out of love with him. The ending is a little ambiguous to me. Also, maybe because my parents generation in the 70s but I really DO not want to imagine those days of swinging and key parties so much.
Edit: I was contacted by the author via email (?!) requesting I alter my review as to not let out the big secret/ twist in the book. I did agree to click the spoiler box. I don't think the twist is that hard to figure out given the plot of swinging couples in the 70s. I also am curious if any other reviewers received this request from the author.
This book is close to a 3.5 as I enjoyed most of the book, refreshingly set in the mid 1970s. I enjoyed Alex's point of view as a somewhat inexperienced young wife with 2 young daughters she loves very much. This book gently guided us into the backdrop of the time, along with the pot smoking at parties and easy sexual banter. Alex started out pretty happy in her relationship although not really satisfied in the bedroom. The ovolacto vegetarian line threw me because she proceeds to make beef, chicken for her family. Her foray into swinging was gradual and then swift. Her family and inlaws didn't really understand although they warned her mostly of husband's straying ways. So as liberated as women might have felt, she was the one mostly judged for being with another woman's husband, while her husband may have *redacted* the wife of the man Alex was sleeping with, it seemed more Donny's idea than hers... she should have been more angry her husband might have *redacted* Paula except she didn't, maybe because she was out of love with him. The ending is a little ambiguous to me. Also, maybe because my parents generation in the 70s but I really DO not want to imagine those days of swinging and key parties so much.
Edit: I was contacted by the author via email (?!) requesting I alter my review as to not let out the big secret/ twist in the book. I did agree to click the spoiler box. I don't think the twist is that hard to figure out given the plot of swinging couples in the 70s. I also am curious if any other reviewers received this request from the author.
winecellarlibrary's review
2.0
First, I would like to thank She Writes Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free Kindle ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Reading the synopsis, I imagined that this book would be edgy and push the limits of matrimonial morality. I imagined overwhelming lust and emotion, edge-of-your-seat passion and discord, and controversial sexual freedom pushing back against the patriarchal and traditional nuclear family. Instead, I was dealt immeasurable boredom and exhaustive accounts of Alex’s passive aggression. Her inability to handle confrontations in an adult manner was off-putting. Despite the fact that she indulges in the foursquare tryst, for example, Alex spitefully buries her husband’s adored swingers’ manifesto in the neighbor’s garbage can. Alex is completely incapable of accepting responsibility for ANYTHING and blames Donny for EVERYTHING, even though she is equally culpable for the events that occur. She is also entirely indecisive. She pushes away anyone who would show her attention and although she recognizes the impact of her behavior on her children, she fails to act in a constructive manner to repair what she has damaged. The plot was predictable, and the characters were devoid of depth, so the only thing redeeming this book is its beautiful writing style. If you read this book for no other reason, read it for the writing style. I felt as though there was no true climax, no real conflict, no finite resolution. The ending leaves you questioning what Alex decides and there is nothing worse than a vague conclusion.
#netgalley #split-level
Reading the synopsis, I imagined that this book would be edgy and push the limits of matrimonial morality. I imagined overwhelming lust and emotion, edge-of-your-seat passion and discord, and controversial sexual freedom pushing back against the patriarchal and traditional nuclear family. Instead, I was dealt immeasurable boredom and exhaustive accounts of Alex’s passive aggression. Her inability to handle confrontations in an adult manner was off-putting. Despite the fact that she indulges in the foursquare tryst, for example, Alex spitefully buries her husband’s adored swingers’ manifesto in the neighbor’s garbage can. Alex is completely incapable of accepting responsibility for ANYTHING and blames Donny for EVERYTHING, even though she is equally culpable for the events that occur. She is also entirely indecisive. She pushes away anyone who would show her attention and although she recognizes the impact of her behavior on her children, she fails to act in a constructive manner to repair what she has damaged. The plot was predictable, and the characters were devoid of depth, so the only thing redeeming this book is its beautiful writing style. If you read this book for no other reason, read it for the writing style. I felt as though there was no true climax, no real conflict, no finite resolution. The ending leaves you questioning what Alex decides and there is nothing worse than a vague conclusion.
#netgalley #split-level
sp3cia1j's review
2.0
2.5 stars.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the premise of this book - 70's housewife explores an open marriage. There was also talk of Nixon in the description but this book is not really political at all. Unfortunately, it's also not nearly as exciting as the description made it seem. I felt for Alex and her place in life, but I just felt like nothing exciting really happened. Somehow, maybe because of Alex's internal dialogue, even the exciting parts came off as kind of blah. I would recommend skipping this one.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the premise of this book - 70's housewife explores an open marriage. There was also talk of Nixon in the description but this book is not really political at all. Unfortunately, it's also not nearly as exciting as the description made it seem. I felt for Alex and her place in life, but I just felt like nothing exciting really happened. Somehow, maybe because of Alex's internal dialogue, even the exciting parts came off as kind of blah. I would recommend skipping this one.
lavenderlazarus's review against another edition
5.0
Split-Level captured my attention because of the way it's written. It's from the point of view of Alex Pearl, a housewife whose relationship with her husband is turbulent at best. Although it is a little slow paced, I didn't mind spending the time with Alex's thoughts. It's extremely well-written. I didn't live through the 70s, but I could vividly picture every moment with the minute details that add just the right amount of description. It has a small number of characters and they leave strong impressions. These are the characters that you get to know deeply and understand on some level, even to the point where you can see what decisions they'll make before it's revealed.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a peek at a complicated relationship written with beautiful prose. It was a quick read and the ending was extremely satisfying.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a peek at a complicated relationship written with beautiful prose. It was a quick read and the ending was extremely satisfying.
lblattttt's review against another edition
4.0
Split-Level is a great exploration of feelings. Wanting to feel more, wanting to feel passion, wanting to feel alive. Alex Pearl is hoping to tap into these feelings in the hey-day of the 70s. This book truly explores what a journey through marriage looks like and how to navigate what happens when you are wanting to try something new. This was a great read and I loved being transported to a time that I did not live through but wish I could have seen firsthand. Genuine and funny, worth the read! Thank you NetGalley!
laurenexploresbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a story where at first the main character infuriated me because I wanted so much more for her. Alex has two sweet young girls, but is married to the immature and selfish Donny. Alex feels lost and trapped in her marriage and tries for reconciliation with her husband. Her husband does not take her communication efforts seriously, but what her husband instead pushes is for an open relationship with another couple. The problem is, is that Alex never consents to this arrangement. Alex does not feel like she has any agency to say she feels uncomfortable or to share what she needs regardless of her actual attraction to her pairing with Charlie. The chaos of their life is due to her and Donny’s complete and utter lack of communication and trust. Alex is going through the motions in her life and marriage. I appreciate how Alex grows as a character, and though I spent the majority of the book frustrated I also was rooting for her to find her own strength and voice. This is certainly a book outside of what I normally read, but I was interested in the relationships between Alex and the other characters. I received Split-Level from Netgalley in exchange for my honest feedback.
laurenexploresbooks's review
4.0
This was a story where at first the main character infuriated me because I wanted so much more for her. Alex has two sweet young girls, but is married to the immature and selfish Donny. Alex feels lost and trapped in her marriage and tries for reconciliation with her husband. Her husband does not take her communication efforts seriously, but what her husband instead pushes is for an open relationship with another couple. The problem is, is that Alex never consents to this arrangement. Alex does not feel like she has any agency to say she feels uncomfortable or to share what she needs regardless of her actual attraction to her pairing with Charlie. The chaos of their life is due to her and Donny’s complete and utter lack of communication and trust. Alex is going through the motions in her life and marriage. I appreciate how Alex grows as a character, and though I spent the majority of the book frustrated I also was rooting for her to find her own strength and voice. This is certainly a book outside of what I normally read, but I was interested in the relationships between Alex and the other characters. I received Split-Level from Netgalley in exchange for my honest feedback.
kaylakaotik's review
2.0
I really wanted to enjoy Split-Level. It seems like it would have been a book right up my alley. It's a completely different lifestyle than my own. It's seemingly filled with juicy drama that I'd devour. However, it just didn't work for me.
There's numerous flaws. The book is so slow. Like, slow. I don't mind a slow-building story, but this was just disappointing. On top of that, it wasn't very detailed. I missed so much of the depth (emotion, details, conversations, etc.) that makes a book like this appealing to me. And to top it all off, these characters were just bland. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them.
I think there was potential here. The premise was interesting. The writing was decently done. If it had been more than a surface level, beachy type read, I think I would have really enjoyed it.
* This book was received from She Writes Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
There's numerous flaws. The book is so slow. Like, slow. I don't mind a slow-building story, but this was just disappointing. On top of that, it wasn't very detailed. I missed so much of the depth (emotion, details, conversations, etc.) that makes a book like this appealing to me. And to top it all off, these characters were just bland. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them.
I think there was potential here. The premise was interesting. The writing was decently done. If it had been more than a surface level, beachy type read, I think I would have really enjoyed it.
* This book was received from She Writes Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
melli80's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this Arc. However I just couldn’t get into it. It’s not my normal type of read but I wanted to branch out and I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it.. i know it’s about a different time a whole different socioeconomic period but I just couldn’t relate. The main character I found annoying and a little maybe paranoid Also just a bit submissive and dumb. The writing was ok and the flow of the story was good but I just couldn’t connect and after about 55% threw I just felt like if I didn’t finish it would be even more disappointing. So it’s a good story just not for me.
emmareadsanddrinks's review against another edition
2.0
Split-Level by Sande Bortiz Berger is about Alex and Donny Pearl, a young couple in the 1970's. The story is told from Alex's point of view, as she grapples with the thought that there has to be more to marriage. In an effort to change things, her husband Donny suggests they go to a couples retreat. While at the retreat, Donny is given a book on wife swapping, which he suggests they try. As the story unfolds, the reader not only sees how Alex's self worth and image is changed, but also how her view of those around her changes.
This book was difficult to get into and to finish. I found the characters hard to relate to and unlikable. I also did not grow up in the 1970s, and the nostalgia aspect was not there for me. I wanted to yell at Alex many times to dump her husband and take more responsibility over her children. This book needed a little more of a concrete problem, climax, and resolution to speed things along.
The writing style of this book was great. I found that it flowed well, I just didn't love Alex's thoughts and the amount of time the reader was in her head.
I appreciate the opportunity from NetGalley to read and review!
This book was difficult to get into and to finish. I found the characters hard to relate to and unlikable. I also did not grow up in the 1970s, and the nostalgia aspect was not there for me. I wanted to yell at Alex many times to dump her husband and take more responsibility over her children. This book needed a little more of a concrete problem, climax, and resolution to speed things along.
The writing style of this book was great. I found that it flowed well, I just didn't love Alex's thoughts and the amount of time the reader was in her head.
I appreciate the opportunity from NetGalley to read and review!