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astitchedspine's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
literarycrushes's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Like Happiness is a rumination on the manipulation of power and the multitudinous ways abuse can play out in murky relationships.
Told in duel timelines, it’s 2015 and Tatum Vega is living a quiet life with her partner in Chile when she is contacted by a journalist investigating the claims of abuse by many young women, perpetrated by M. / Mateo, a famous Latino author. The journalist has photographic evidence of Tatum’s & his long-term friendship and wonders if she cares to comment, leading Tatum to recall her decade-long relationship with M from a newly awakened vantage point.
Though the focus of the novel is on the lopsided, inherently unequal relationship - Tatum meets M. after writing him a fan letter while attending a fancy New England college (where she is one of only a handful of Latinx students) and the two strike up an intense online correspondence. Tatum’s character development is the real joy of this novel. We see her grow from the painfully shy daughter of ultra-religious immigrants in San Antonio, dreaming of moving to New York City and meeting friends she can discuss literature with or go to the MoMa with, into a woman in charge of her life. By recounting her past, she realizes her voice not only matters but is a necessary part of the story.
The relationship between Tatum & M is complicated – while she maintains that he never sexually abused her (as he did many other young ‘fans’ whose socioeconomic standing made them unlikely threats), it’s clear that he holds the power and is constantly putting her through an emotional rigor. He pays off sizable portions of her student debt and flies her around the country as his date to various readings, only to essentially ghost her for months at a time as he runs through a string of ‘barely Latina marketing executive’ girlfriends while Tatum puts her life on hold until she’s back in the orbit of his affections.
I really enjoyed this one – thank you to X for the #gifted copy!
jjohnsonblalock's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annabulkowski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
avy9891's review against another edition
4.0
The narrator did a great job in telling Tatum’s story. I felt like her tone was just right and kept my attention as the story unfolded. Tatum is contacted many years after her complicated relationship with author M Domínguez. The author has been accused of sexual assault, prompting her to reassess her relationship with him. She does this through a letter she has written to Domínguez detailing her feelings/memories of their relationship. Also coming to terms with her ever changing sexuality as she discovers herself. I love that she learn about herself and not to feel shame in who she is and the woman she’s grown to be. I would definitely recommend this book to others. It’s a great story!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me the audiobook to review.
ladydrini's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A coming of age story of a girl named Tatum who becomes pen pals - and later, lovers - with a famous older author. The book then follows the next decade or so of their on again and off again relationship, flashing forward every few chapters to modern day when Tatum is being interviewed by a journalist who is exploring allegations of the author’s abuse of women. While she maintains there was no physical abuse, it’s clear he hurt her immensely - but how? You’ll have to wait until the final chapters to find out.
Not my usual cup of tea, but it was interesting enough, different enough, and well done enough for what it was. If you’ve ever had someone you’ve loved that strung you along … it’s painfully relatable in many ways.
Not my usual cup of tea, but it was interesting enough, different enough, and well done enough for what it was. If you’ve ever had someone you’ve loved that strung you along … it’s painfully relatable in many ways.
year23's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5