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vickyhhh's review against another edition
I couldn't get into the story or empathise with the characters, it just didn't get going for me.
motherofladybirds's review against another edition
2.0
I read this for book club. I did not enjoy it. I prefer books that transport me to a different place and or time, escapism. I also like to feel I have learned something along the way. This book is very much about relationships between two families over time, but there was not much of a backdrop of events. I found I did not relate or care much for the characters and the writing did not touch my heart. I tried to relate it to Jane Austen, small world of privileged characters and their loves and disappointments, but when reading Austen, of course, the setting is now exotic to the modern reader, and the language is pristine. There is also wit and humour to carry you through. I found this dull.
elliemelliemoo's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
catreads62's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked this book but not as much as I thought I would mainly because I did not like the characters that much. Loved the premise of exploring the intimacies and complexities of long term relationships just wish I had been able to fall in love with the characters. Tessa Hadley is a new to me author and a good writer. I would definitely try another one of her books.
maddie_a_'s review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lauralindahl's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cemoses's review against another edition
3.0
First of this type of book I have read since the pandemic so this means that for the most part in held my interest. Since the pandemic I like a much lighter style of reading. However, I thought the people would be sadder at the loss of a friend.
lisamf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
Note: I received a copy of this book from Harper (via Edelweiss) in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks!
My Thoughts: Alex and Christine, Zach and Lydia have a complex relationship. They’re best friends, both as couples and singles. They also have a complex history. In her early 20’s Lydia pined after Alex, the dashing young writer, but her interest was never returned. Christine dated Zach for a couple of years, but they parted as friends. As two married couples they shared a close bond, everything in balance and standing strong. Then, Zach suddenly died and for the trio remaining all balance was lost.
I loved the first half of the story as Hadley moved between the present where Alex, Christine and Lydia were just trying to find a new footing, and the past where she slowly revealed the complexities of their many relationships. The second half of the book became more tedious, moving slowly. I found myself caring less and less about these very rich characters she’d created in the first half, that is until the very end where she drew me in again. This was my first Tessa Hadley book, and I found myself drawn to her writing and her spot on renderings of characters in crises.
“It wasn’t like a stone after all, this intrusion of grief, a stone was cold and still, you could surround it, but this swelled inside her and receded then swelled again; she felt helpless against its violence, her usual self wrecked and lost, turned inside out.”
While this was a bit of an up and down book for me, I encourage others to try it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
For more reviews: https://novelvisits.com/
My Thoughts: Alex and Christine, Zach and Lydia have a complex relationship. They’re best friends, both as couples and singles. They also have a complex history. In her early 20’s Lydia pined after Alex, the dashing young writer, but her interest was never returned. Christine dated Zach for a couple of years, but they parted as friends. As two married couples they shared a close bond, everything in balance and standing strong. Then, Zach suddenly died and for the trio remaining all balance was lost.
I loved the first half of the story as Hadley moved between the present where Alex, Christine and Lydia were just trying to find a new footing, and the past where she slowly revealed the complexities of their many relationships. The second half of the book became more tedious, moving slowly. I found myself caring less and less about these very rich characters she’d created in the first half, that is until the very end where she drew me in again. This was my first Tessa Hadley book, and I found myself drawn to her writing and her spot on renderings of characters in crises.
“It wasn’t like a stone after all, this intrusion of grief, a stone was cold and still, you could surround it, but this swelled inside her and receded then swelled again; she felt helpless against its violence, her usual self wrecked and lost, turned inside out.”
While this was a bit of an up and down book for me, I encourage others to try it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
For more reviews: https://novelvisits.com/
amandae129's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC.