Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I decided to read this book when I found it at a $1 used book store a couple weeks ago. I'd seen the movie back when it came out, and knew the author had cowritten the screenplay, so I thought I'd see if the book was as good as the movie had been. It was a good read, but definitely a summer, by-the-pool, made-for-screenplay novel. The film version actually brought a lot more humanity to the characters than the book allowed, part of which was due to the actors' highly laudable talents (notably Kate WInslet and Jackie Earle Haley, who play Sarah and Ronnie McGorvey, respectively). All I have to say is that I'm glad they flipped this pretty quickly.
Despite the subject matter (cheating spouses, illicit affairs, a really creepy pedophile, midlife malaise, and an unfair balance between the sexes), this somehow manages to be a one-day summer read.
First of all... what the hell was this book doing on my classroom book shelf? Who put it there? (I'm sure it was me b/c it's where i deposit all non-claimed books) I'm really glad that none of my students (high school, but still) never picked it up (that I'm aware of). I am glad that I finally noticed it when I was cleaning my room out at the end of the year. Liking it a lot. Will recommend for a light (with not so light bits) summer read.
Done reading:
Entertaining the whole way through. Not as "cute" as first thought. There's definitely some serious darkness here.
Done reading:
Entertaining the whole way through. Not as "cute" as first thought. There's definitely some serious darkness here.
I finished this book before I read any of the reviews, but I have to agree that the movie version was better, specifically around the character of Ronnie. In the movie, he became a somewhat (although not completely) sympathetic character.
In the book, Perrotta just gave up in the final climactic scene, while in the movie version there was true suspense and surprise. Given the past actions of the characters, not one of them would have reacted as they did in the book. While I did think the movie was better, it was still an enjoyable read. Maybe I wouldn't have been disappointed had I not seen the movie.
In the book, Perrotta just gave up in the final climactic scene, while in the movie version there was true suspense and surprise. Given the past actions of the characters, not one of them would have reacted as they did in the book. While I did think the movie was better, it was still an enjoyable read. Maybe I wouldn't have been disappointed had I not seen the movie.
Just reading all the Tom Perrotta books at once! This story about two unhappy stay at home parents learning what it means to be happy over the course of a summer. At the same time, a registered sex offender has returned from jail to live with his mom in the same sleepy town. Chaos and self discovery ensues.
I thought this was a painful book to read. Not necessarily bad to read. Just a lot of different characters pulling my emotions all over the place - feeling happy for this one but the heartbroken for this one, etc. Overall good though. I enjoyed how much everyone made me think.
I thought this was a painful book to read. Not necessarily bad to read. Just a lot of different characters pulling my emotions all over the place - feeling happy for this one but the heartbroken for this one, etc. Overall good though. I enjoyed how much everyone made me think.
I saw a 3.5. I was uneasy through the entire book. But I liked how it wrapped up and I loved that it didn't just focus totally on the main character of Sarah.
I finished this book so quickly, I wondered if there was anything of substance in it when I was done. Well... there is.
It was interesting to read a book featuring "adults" who were about my age. Aside from that this book was kind of unremarkable. I can see how it made a pretty good movie, but ultimately the characters were either too far outside my world experience, or too shallow for me to feel any real attachment to. I will be interested to finally watch the movie and see how it translates to the screen.
For once I was amazed to find that the novel did not impress me a lot more than the film, but then, the film is - in general, very close to the book, with a lot of quotes. I can greatly recommend the book, it's very fascinating and gives you something to think about.
