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canary20's review
1.0
Awful. The characters are flat and the whole book is about cheating on your spouse even with permission. It seemed like to me that almost all of the younger generation was sleeping with other spouses and the parents really didn't like it but totally condoned it! I really struggled reading this book and I was hoping for a revelation and it would redeem it self but it didn't for me.
amalia1985's review
1.0
What an absolutely beautiful cover…
The 70s atmosphere and the suburban setting were excellently depicted. The character of Alex had some potential but the marital issues of a couple facing a thing called ‘’7-year-itch’’ and the swingers ‘’aesthetic’’ have little to do with what I consider Literature. I don’t read these…’’books’’ so I dare say I was slightly deceived by the blurb. Atrocious dialogue, zero character development. It’s a pity, really, because the prose and the setting were really promising. Had the direction of the story been different, I would have enjoyed this one. As it stands...
Excuse me, but no.
Many thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The 70s atmosphere and the suburban setting were excellently depicted. The character of Alex had some potential but the marital issues of a couple facing a thing called ‘’7-year-itch’’ and the swingers ‘’aesthetic’’ have little to do with what I consider Literature. I don’t read these…’’books’’ so I dare say I was slightly deceived by the blurb. Atrocious dialogue, zero character development. It’s a pity, really, because the prose and the setting were really promising. Had the direction of the story been different, I would have enjoyed this one. As it stands...
Excuse me, but no.
Many thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
rachelmansmckenny's review against another edition
4.0
Split-Level follows the narrator as she discovers who she is inside and outside of her marriage. I was interested in the book immediately, following the details of a 70s housewife with two young daughters as she discovers (and denies) some questionable behavior by her husband. As a reader, the pleasure of the slightly unreliable narrator/narrator in denial lasts a good portion of the book, far into her path to save her marriage and some of the consequences of that.
A very readable novel with some compelling scenes-- and great lines near the ends of chapters-- but at points I just couldn't get into the historical details. There weren't many, so this wasn't a huge distraction. In general, worth a read!
A very readable novel with some compelling scenes-- and great lines near the ends of chapters-- but at points I just couldn't get into the historical details. There weren't many, so this wasn't a huge distraction. In general, worth a read!
sp3cia1j's review against another edition
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.
readalotwritealot's review against another edition
4.0
In Sande Boritz Berger’s own words, Split-Level is the “tale of a young woman lost in the mire of ideas others had conjured for her future.”
Alex Pearl lives what seems an idyllic 1970s housewife life. She did all the “right” things and even has a small business to keep her artistic side happy, but at nearly 30, Alex seems naive about the way the world really works and dissatisfied with the path her life has taken.
The book begins rather slow, building the picture of what I imagine life was like for many middle class Jewish women who filled their roles well but felt something was missing. Drugs, music, and infidelity are prevalent, but at its core this book is about Alex discovering the world and herself.
I think this one will resonate most with women who lived similar lives, but I feel the central theme of women pleasing others and living lives they may not have ever actually wanted is one that will resonate with many readers across generations.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Alex Pearl lives what seems an idyllic 1970s housewife life. She did all the “right” things and even has a small business to keep her artistic side happy, but at nearly 30, Alex seems naive about the way the world really works and dissatisfied with the path her life has taken.
The book begins rather slow, building the picture of what I imagine life was like for many middle class Jewish women who filled their roles well but felt something was missing. Drugs, music, and infidelity are prevalent, but at its core this book is about Alex discovering the world and herself.
I think this one will resonate most with women who lived similar lives, but I feel the central theme of women pleasing others and living lives they may not have ever actually wanted is one that will resonate with many readers across generations.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
liblibby's review against another edition
4.0
If you would have asked me if I was loving the new book I was reading, I probably would have said, "I guess so. It's fine." But I couldn't stop myself from reading it. It was calling to me every time I had to put it down and I was constantly wondering what would happen next. So, Split-Level was obviously way better than "It's fine." But the pull was subtle... which was honestly perfect.
It's a look into the way that many women are often carried along throughout their lives without the expectations that they might want to steer their own ship. Alex is in the process of being floated along--moved at the whims of other people. Her husband, her parents, her in-laws, all without much questioning. Without much joy or passion, either. Until she starts to slowly recognize what's happening and she's forced to make a choice--will she continue along in this life where everything is decided for her or will she break the flow and live a life on her own terms?
I read this book right after I finished "Three Women" by Lisa Taddeo and I feel like they were an excellent pairing.
It's a look into the way that many women are often carried along throughout their lives without the expectations that they might want to steer their own ship. Alex is in the process of being floated along--moved at the whims of other people. Her husband, her parents, her in-laws, all without much questioning. Without much joy or passion, either. Until she starts to slowly recognize what's happening and she's forced to make a choice--will she continue along in this life where everything is decided for her or will she break the flow and live a life on her own terms?
I read this book right after I finished "Three Women" by Lisa Taddeo and I feel like they were an excellent pairing.
annarella's review
4.0
A well written book that is full of interesting reflections and with a dysfunctional cast of characters.
Even if I liked the style of writing and the plot I didn't feel connected to any of the characters that were not really likable.
It's an interesting read.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Even if I liked the style of writing and the plot I didn't feel connected to any of the characters that were not really likable.
It's an interesting read.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
wendysimon's review
2.0
This book follows two couples in the seventies as they explore their relationships. I did not enjoy this book because I found it hard to like any of the characters. They all seemed quite selfish.
victoria_loves_books's review
2.0
I truly disliked this book. None of the characters were good people and I hated how weak and extremely naive the main character was. I kept wondering what the story was. It just felt like I was reading an episode of some soap opera
jasminesimone's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and She Writes Press for the eARC.
Split-Level by Sande Boritz Berger is set in the 1970s and is told from the POV of our protagonist, Alexandra (Alex) Pearl. She is married to Donny Pearl. The first bit of drama that we receive in this novel is when their babysitter's mother calls and says that her daughter can no longer go over there because Donny crossed the line. After that it is a slow-burning book.
The book poses the question of whether a marriage can survive an open marriage or not. Alex does not seem thrilled about this at all and it is far from empowering or liberating. It seems like she is trapped. Her and her husband meet this couple, The Bells, and this is who they decide to let into their marriage. When the two couples decide to actually hook up with each other's spouses, the book is about 50% done.
Personal feelings aside, I think this book needed more. I wanted Alexandra to have a winning moment so bad, but that never came for me. I'm giving this book three stars because it was definitely something different from what I am used to reading, but I feel like Alexandra should've experienced some kind of growth.
Split-Level by Sande Boritz Berger is set in the 1970s and is told from the POV of our protagonist, Alexandra (Alex) Pearl. She is married to Donny Pearl. The first bit of drama that we receive in this novel is when their babysitter's mother calls and says that her daughter can no longer go over there because Donny crossed the line. After that it is a slow-burning book.
The book poses the question of whether a marriage can survive an open marriage or not. Alex does not seem thrilled about this at all and it is far from empowering or liberating. It seems like she is trapped. Her and her husband meet this couple, The Bells, and this is who they decide to let into their marriage. When the two couples decide to actually hook up with each other's spouses, the book is about 50% done.
Personal feelings aside, I think this book needed more. I wanted Alexandra to have a winning moment so bad, but that never came for me. I'm giving this book three stars because it was definitely something different from what I am used to reading, but I feel like Alexandra should've experienced some kind of growth.
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