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katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Obsession and its consequences - bleak but biting look at male chauvinism and female infatuation
3.5 stars
"male chauvinism and female infatuation" - that's not to say that these characteristics are gender-related, but they are what the book explores. After the totally amazing debut of 'Only Ever Yours' and the powerful 'Asking For It', 'Almost Love' feels like more standard-genre, a Fatal Attraction-esque 'behind the scenes' of a toxic relationship where both parties use the other. If you look closely at their affair: is either blameless?
At the start, I sympathised with Sarah, the art teacher wooed by a Dad at Parents' Evening, swapping flirty text messages and eventually agreeing to meet. Their relationship, if you can call it that, is one you cry out for Sarah to walk away from. But she doesn't... it's hard to understand what she is getting out of it.
While this is going on, we see Sarah again two years on, in another relationship, this time with Oisin (pronounced Ish-een), a decent sort of bloke who is quite clearly perplexed by her deteriorating amiability as she compares him to what has gone before and can't let go of the past.
I lost my sympathy for Sarah quite early on - Matthew is slimy, controlling and completely undesirable. After one encounter, I couldn't see what made Sarah return for more. She comes across as incredibly immature and still sees herself as a student rather than in a responsible position as teacher (often hungover and late for work). I wanted her to snap out of her peevishness with Oisin as well.
A very different book to O'Neill's others, I was reminded of Elizabeth Haynes' 'Into the Darkest Corner' with the constant back and forth between time periods very close together and the intimate details of a toxic affair. But this isn't crime, and O'Neill she always does, looks at female issues - how men see and treat women, as well as this time what women need from men.
This for me doesn't stand out in the way her first, and to some extent, Asking For It, do. I didn't warm to character or plot particularly, and unlike some others, I didn't really care what happened to Sarah at the end. I felt she needed to grow up. A bit cold of me, I know! For a writer to generate a strong feeling of any sort in a writer denote the power of their writing though, and O'Neill does give Sarah a strong (if not likeable) voice.
I accessed this as an audiobook, and the Irish-accented narrator was well-chosen: a young and slightly frivolous voice at the start becomes a more consumed and jaded woman later on.
This isn't going to be for everyone, and there are some slightly distasteful sexual scenes (though not particularly graphic in content). It is quite dark - not one to take on holiday as a beach read, but it does give a lot of food for thought as to why women (especially) can become 'needy' with partners and how it can affect their lives.
With thanks to Nudge Books for the sample reading/listening copy, provided for review purposes.
3.5 stars
"male chauvinism and female infatuation" - that's not to say that these characteristics are gender-related, but they are what the book explores. After the totally amazing debut of 'Only Ever Yours' and the powerful 'Asking For It', 'Almost Love' feels like more standard-genre, a Fatal Attraction-esque 'behind the scenes' of a toxic relationship where both parties use the other. If you look closely at their affair: is either blameless?
At the start, I sympathised with Sarah, the art teacher wooed by a Dad at Parents' Evening, swapping flirty text messages and eventually agreeing to meet. Their relationship, if you can call it that, is one you cry out for Sarah to walk away from. But she doesn't... it's hard to understand what she is getting out of it.
While this is going on, we see Sarah again two years on, in another relationship, this time with Oisin (pronounced Ish-een), a decent sort of bloke who is quite clearly perplexed by her deteriorating amiability as she compares him to what has gone before and can't let go of the past.
I lost my sympathy for Sarah quite early on - Matthew is slimy, controlling and completely undesirable. After one encounter, I couldn't see what made Sarah return for more. She comes across as incredibly immature and still sees herself as a student rather than in a responsible position as teacher (often hungover and late for work). I wanted her to snap out of her peevishness with Oisin as well.
A very different book to O'Neill's others, I was reminded of Elizabeth Haynes' 'Into the Darkest Corner' with the constant back and forth between time periods very close together and the intimate details of a toxic affair. But this isn't crime, and O'Neill she always does, looks at female issues - how men see and treat women, as well as this time what women need from men.
This for me doesn't stand out in the way her first, and to some extent, Asking For It, do. I didn't warm to character or plot particularly, and unlike some others, I didn't really care what happened to Sarah at the end. I felt she needed to grow up. A bit cold of me, I know! For a writer to generate a strong feeling of any sort in a writer denote the power of their writing though, and O'Neill does give Sarah a strong (if not likeable) voice.
I accessed this as an audiobook, and the Irish-accented narrator was well-chosen: a young and slightly frivolous voice at the start becomes a more consumed and jaded woman later on.
This isn't going to be for everyone, and there are some slightly distasteful sexual scenes (though not particularly graphic in content). It is quite dark - not one to take on holiday as a beach read, but it does give a lot of food for thought as to why women (especially) can become 'needy' with partners and how it can affect their lives.
With thanks to Nudge Books for the sample reading/listening copy, provided for review purposes.
juup's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tibigarcia's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second book by Louise O'Neill. It was painful to read but I couldn't stop once I started. At times I felt like I hated Sarah for everything she was doing to herself, but there were so many moments in which I saw myself reflected on her... Such a great book!
samstillreading's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve always heard great things about Louise O’Neill’s books, but shamefully for me Almost Love is the first that I’ve read. It’s a story told bluntly, unapologetically and most of all honestly. It was utterly captivating and I couldn’t help but read and read and read until I’d finished. The story is refreshing in that it isn’t afraid to place at its centre a narrator that can be wholly unlikeable through her thoughts and actions. It also has that watching a car crash feel…you know that things are going to go from bad to worse but you are still mesmerised.
Almost Love tells the story of two relationships – now and then. What they have in common is that Sarah, the narrator/main character is in both of them. Now, she’s meant to be in a happy place in a healthy relationship with Oisin. But the gloss has worn off and things are niggling at Sarah. Oisin’s famous artist mum – Sarah’s lost her faith in her own ability as an artist, as a feminist, as someone who has it together. That Oisin can be messy or grumpy. She can’t help but point out his faults wherever – but it Oisin she’s truly annoyed at or is it herself? Before Oisin, there was Matthew. Their relationship (if it even existed, depending on who you ask) was completely different. A power imbalance, tipped wholly in Matthew’s favour. Sarah was reduced to a life waiting for whatever texts or hook-up he would deign to give her. She went willingly and it nearly destroyed her. Will the remnants of her previous relationship destroy this one or will they help her find peace?
Sarah’s a complex character, but she’s an honest one to the reader whether she’s telling the story in first person (then) or third (now). She is at times cringe worthy (like when she’s tearing Oisin down in front of his mates) and stupid (going on a massive bender on a weeknight). But she’s also terribly insecure and convinced that her past in a small country town with a dead mother and alcoholic father have put her far behind everyone else. Perhaps that’s why she’s so flattered when Matthew takes an interest. He’s an Important Man in Dublin with a successful real estate business and ex-husband to the former prime minister’s daughter. Everyone knows Matthew. Matthew is also a complete and utter tool. He wields the power over Sarah, dictating the time, place and duration of their hook-ups. Sarah doesn’t really want to do all the things she does with Matthew, but if he’s having a good time, then…well… Sarah waits and pines for Matthew who reduces her to a shell of her former self. She’s lost her best friend, her other friends are pulling away and she’s about to lose her job. Yet Sarah won’t let him see all this. She is all smiles and pandering to his needs, desperate for that recognition…
Sarah’s actions at times are awkward and stupid. I think Louise O’Neill does a great job of explaining Sarah’s motives and feelings behind what she does. Even though I wished at times Sarah would break free of Matthew, everything that she did fit in with her character. There were no outlandish actions that didn’t fit in. In the end, I felt really sorry for Sarah. She’s stuffed up multiple times and it has been her fault. While I don’t think we could be friends, I really hoped that she sorted her life into what she wanted. The story is raw and unnerving, possibly because we can see ourselves in some of Sarah’s actions/thoughts. Overall, it’s a fine read that you won’t be able to put down.
Thank you to Hachette for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Almost Love tells the story of two relationships – now and then. What they have in common is that Sarah, the narrator/main character is in both of them. Now, she’s meant to be in a happy place in a healthy relationship with Oisin. But the gloss has worn off and things are niggling at Sarah. Oisin’s famous artist mum – Sarah’s lost her faith in her own ability as an artist, as a feminist, as someone who has it together. That Oisin can be messy or grumpy. She can’t help but point out his faults wherever – but it Oisin she’s truly annoyed at or is it herself? Before Oisin, there was Matthew. Their relationship (if it even existed, depending on who you ask) was completely different. A power imbalance, tipped wholly in Matthew’s favour. Sarah was reduced to a life waiting for whatever texts or hook-up he would deign to give her. She went willingly and it nearly destroyed her. Will the remnants of her previous relationship destroy this one or will they help her find peace?
Sarah’s a complex character, but she’s an honest one to the reader whether she’s telling the story in first person (then) or third (now). She is at times cringe worthy (like when she’s tearing Oisin down in front of his mates) and stupid (going on a massive bender on a weeknight). But she’s also terribly insecure and convinced that her past in a small country town with a dead mother and alcoholic father have put her far behind everyone else. Perhaps that’s why she’s so flattered when Matthew takes an interest. He’s an Important Man in Dublin with a successful real estate business and ex-husband to the former prime minister’s daughter. Everyone knows Matthew. Matthew is also a complete and utter tool. He wields the power over Sarah, dictating the time, place and duration of their hook-ups. Sarah doesn’t really want to do all the things she does with Matthew, but if he’s having a good time, then…well… Sarah waits and pines for Matthew who reduces her to a shell of her former self. She’s lost her best friend, her other friends are pulling away and she’s about to lose her job. Yet Sarah won’t let him see all this. She is all smiles and pandering to his needs, desperate for that recognition…
Sarah’s actions at times are awkward and stupid. I think Louise O’Neill does a great job of explaining Sarah’s motives and feelings behind what she does. Even though I wished at times Sarah would break free of Matthew, everything that she did fit in with her character. There were no outlandish actions that didn’t fit in. In the end, I felt really sorry for Sarah. She’s stuffed up multiple times and it has been her fault. While I don’t think we could be friends, I really hoped that she sorted her life into what she wanted. The story is raw and unnerving, possibly because we can see ourselves in some of Sarah’s actions/thoughts. Overall, it’s a fine read that you won’t be able to put down.
Thank you to Hachette for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
rhr's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Almost Love. I love all of O'Neill's books. She has the keenest eye to various kinds of people and the stories they tell themselves to be able to keep going.
Almost Love could be a sister piece to Jean Rhys' After Leaving Mr Mackenzie.
Almost Love could be a sister piece to Jean Rhys' After Leaving Mr Mackenzie.
towering_tbr's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Character was super unlikable, little to no growth, and unfortunately whiny. I sometimes enjoy books with unlikable characters but this was a bit of a slog. A bit disappointed.
Character was super unlikable, little to no growth, and unfortunately whiny. I sometimes enjoy books with unlikable characters but this was a bit of a slog. A bit disappointed.
elisabeth_julia's review against another edition
3.0
“Almost Love” is about a young woman named Sarah getting involved with an older rich and influential man. This is not a romance novel however. Almost Love describes the toxic effects of an exploitative relationship in which a young woman gets used for sex and kept on the hook with false promises (that aren't real promises at all) but without her being portrayed as the victim of the story, which I thought was an interesting writing choice. It emphasised perfectly the wrongness of this relationship and made the story seem more realistic - painfully so.
As much as it hurt to do so, I could really relate to this young woman as I experienced something similar enough to her story when I was twenty. Especially the feeling of all-consuming shame Sarah is describing in the book is something I could understand very well.
I liked the angle this book takes and the issue it tackles. It’s great to see an author write about an experience so many women are familiar with and have struggled (or are struggling with). Unfortunately “Almost Love” felt a bit bloodless. I wanted to connect more with this book, feel more, read more, experience more.
It also lacked closure. I didn’t expect or want a happy ending, but I wanted something more satisfying. Instead I felt left hanging.
Overall I liked this book very much. It is so relatable and heartbreaking and the themes in here are so very important, but in the end I wanted more from it.
As much as it hurt to do so, I could really relate to this young woman as I experienced something similar enough to her story when I was twenty. Especially the feeling of all-consuming shame Sarah is describing in the book is something I could understand very well.
I liked the angle this book takes and the issue it tackles. It’s great to see an author write about an experience so many women are familiar with and have struggled (or are struggling with). Unfortunately “Almost Love” felt a bit bloodless. I wanted to connect more with this book, feel more, read more, experience more.
It also lacked closure. I didn’t expect or want a happy ending, but I wanted something more satisfying. Instead I felt left hanging.
Overall I liked this book very much. It is so relatable and heartbreaking and the themes in here are so very important, but in the end I wanted more from it.
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
A terrifying example of how easy it is to fall for the wrong person, in the wrong way, and how manipulative some people can be. Matthew very quickly got a hold of Sarah, used her exactly as he wanted, and did it all with breathtaking ease.
I felt very bad for Sarah in the 'then' strand. Being outside the situation, I could see it far more clearly than she could, and it broke my heart to watch her go back to him time after time, spoiling plans and alienating friends and family for him. Not fun to watch. In the 'now' strand, though, she seemed almost cruel the way she treated people, dismissive of their feelings and angry when they didn't act according to a standard she had chosen. I was more sorry for Oisin in those sections, because he was trying his best and she didn't seem to appreciate it or care for him.
One star off for completely destroying me 'then', and one off for Sarah's behaviour 'now'. But I'll still read everything Louise produces.
I received a proof copy of this book. It did not affect my review in any way.
I felt very bad for Sarah in the 'then' strand. Being outside the situation, I could see it far more clearly than she could, and it broke my heart to watch her go back to him time after time, spoiling plans and alienating friends and family for him. Not fun to watch. In the 'now' strand, though, she seemed almost cruel the way she treated people, dismissive of their feelings and angry when they didn't act according to a standard she had chosen. I was more sorry for Oisin in those sections, because he was trying his best and she didn't seem to appreciate it or care for him.
One star off for completely destroying me 'then', and one off for Sarah's behaviour 'now'. But I'll still read everything Louise produces.
I received a proof copy of this book. It did not affect my review in any way.
plnodwyer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.0