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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book will be enjoyed by those who like to read parenting related themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
My boyfriend wouldn't see the movie with me, so I was very happy to finally get around to reading the book. It was quite good. I certainly related to the trapped feeling that Sarah and Todd experienced. You know, the "Oh, so this is my life?" thing. I kind of think it might be a part of white person middle-class entitlement syndrome. Yes, this is your life, you spoiled yuppie; deal.
The writing was strong, the characters were well-developed and deeply flawed. I enjoyed how the plots intertwined. There was also a revelation near the end that really sucker punched me. I guess that's what good writing is supposed to do, huh?
I will say that I totally anticipated the ending, but I don't think that takes anything away from the quality of the book. It's very true-to-life ending.
The writing was strong, the characters were well-developed and deeply flawed. I enjoyed how the plots intertwined. There was also a revelation near the end that really sucker punched me. I guess that's what good writing is supposed to do, huh?
I will say that I totally anticipated the ending, but I don't think that takes anything away from the quality of the book. It's very true-to-life ending.
A very interesting, very realistic look at married life in the suburbs. I don't know that I really liked any of the characters, but I did understand a few of them -- Sarah and Kathy in particular -- to a certain degree. I found the men in the book to be especially pathetic, but I think that was the point. All of the characters were pathetic in their own little ways. And the bleak commentary on what it's like to be an adult? Understandable, but not necessarily true. Making choices as an adult does not always have to mean falling short of society's expectations. There is strength and power in the ability to choose, whether or not those choices are the "right" ones.
i don't know what to do with this one! there were zero likable people but almost all the crappy things they did were understandable and they were just humans fucking up, and the writing was engaging as hell... i guess i'm rounding up from 3.5?
(borrowed from alison)
(borrowed from alison)
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I couldn't put this book down!!
I really liked Todd and Sarah's affair (which sounds absolutely awful!), but I also admired Kathy for being so strong when she discovered her husband's affair--there was no anger, just acknowledgement and acceptance. I loved that trust.
I would have cast Kate Winslet in the role of Sarah, too.
I really liked Todd and Sarah's affair (which sounds absolutely awful!), but I also admired Kathy for being so strong when she discovered her husband's affair--there was no anger, just acknowledgement and acceptance. I loved that trust.
I would have cast Kate Winslet in the role of Sarah, too.
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes