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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
I love a story about families and complicated dynamics but this book really didn’t tell a story? I just kept waiting for things to be explained. The end was abrupt, like what was even the point?
The only reason I gave it two stars is because of the queer representation.
The only reason I gave it two stars is because of the queer representation.
I like how Straub weaves the lives of her characters together. She has an economy with words and the book is very well written! She gave the perspectives of characters coming of age and the characters of middle age. She paints a picture of each of their love lives. She also showed how each character's choices led to their development and where they arrived in their lives.
This book quickly drew me in, which I liked. The story alternates between the points of view of about half a dozen characters, and I enjoyed all of their perspectives. I didn’t enjoy them all equally, but I have found frequently in books that jump around among characters that there is one person’s story that is significantly less interesting than the others. That wasn’t the case here.
I’m looking forward to reading other books by Emma Straub.
I’m looking forward to reading other books by Emma Straub.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3 1/2 I wanted to crawl into this book and clobber Lydia, for Elizabeth’s sake if not my own.
3.5 stars. Thought-provoking work focusing on the evolution of love, marriage and adulthood. Zoe, Elizabeth and Andrew were members of a band in college. Elizabeth's song, Mistress of Myself, created a legendary rock star out of the 4th band member, Lydia, who died of a drug overdose at 27. Set in the present day, "Modern Lovers" takes a look at how quickly the sand a marriage stands on can shift, how being an adult doesn't mean you feel or act like an adult and that it is never to late to reinvent yourself.
A perfectly enjoyable summer read, but not much more than that (and not as much as the author wanted it to be?). Bonus points for some good 90s indie-rock detail, though.
A nice, light read. I really didn't like Andrew's storyline, or Andrew at all, really, but the rest of the characters, especially Harry and Ruby, were interesting to read about. I will give this author another try soon.
You know, I actually really enjoyed reading this book but I also feel like I've read it a thousand times. Does the world need more books about privileged white people in Brooklyn? Probably not.
I enjoyed the book, it was enjoyable but not inspiring. You could easily predict what was going to happen next. That being said, sometimes its nice to just read "an easy read". The characters were well thought out and their interactions were believable. And the characters could have easily been our neighbours. Maybe some are.