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_inge's review against another edition
2.5
2.5 stars. This wasn’t bad whatsoever, but it had been hyped up so much I assumed it would be incredible. Instead, I found the writing to be a bit old-fashioned and the plot predictable and not that gripping. The theme(s) it explored, about the role of wives of famous men, were really interesting and thought-provoking. I just didn’t think the book as a whole was mind-blowing.
aislingryan01's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bloomability47's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lillibooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mbenzz's review against another edition
3.0
This book was pretty good. It had its' moments, but some of it did drag a little. I loved reading about Smith college in the 1950s and how Joan and Joe first came to meet. I wasn't very interested in anything that happened in Finnland.
The ending of this book left me a little irritated though. I finished it thinking..."What the heck?? Why did I read through all that just to end up here?" It seemed like the easy way out. There was no real confrontation, no big fight, no getting it all out.
But it was the last line in the book that did it for me. It contradicted the entire book. What she says in the last line is NOT how she feels throughout the whole book. It really felt like a waste. But overall, besides the ending, those last 5-10 pages, it was a decent read. As I said...it has it's moments.
The ending of this book left me a little irritated though. I finished it thinking..."What the heck?? Why did I read through all that just to end up here?" It seemed like the easy way out. There was no real confrontation, no big fight, no getting it all out.
But it was the last line in the book that did it for me. It contradicted the entire book. What she says in the last line is NOT how she feels throughout the whole book. It really felt like a waste. But overall, besides the ending, those last 5-10 pages, it was a decent read. As I said...it has it's moments.
srm401's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
2.25
gwenswoons's review against another edition
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot. There are elements that didn’t work for me - for some of them I’m not clear whether it hasn’t aged well or if the voice of the narrator is deliberately a little less than enlightened (probably both). The ending felt (for me) too neat and tidy for a book entirely such a totally dysfunctional relationship - a little sped-up and unrealistic somehow, or more specifically not realistic to the world and characters’ lives we were in. But - the writing is brilliant, funny and observant in a rare and amazing way. I will definitely read more, and think about this for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexism, and Death
cindymajor's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
The story was okay and the ending predictable almost from the start, but that being said, the author's writing style made it a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed the dab of humour in there and the woman's perspective. I think we also have to remember the years the story is set (a good 70 years ago) in to better appreciate why Joan's life unfold the way it does.
The story was okay and the ending predictable almost from the start, but that being said, the author's writing style made it a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed the dab of humour in there and the woman's perspective. I think we also have to remember the years the story is set (a good 70 years ago) in to better appreciate why Joan's life unfold the way it does.