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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
From the first page, I felt like I was sitting down with a friend and commiserating about all that seemed to be going wrong with the world (especially with all the post-2016 election talk). There was also enough 1990s-nostalgia that there were moments when I felt like I was simultaneously watching those pioneer episodes of The Real World and the cult classic Reality Bites. Regardless of friend or fantastic ‘90s entertainment, I felt right at home from the beginning of this middle-America drama about a family (the Sullivans, not the Ketchups) who is living through several implausible moments: the sudden death of their beloved patriarch, Bud Sullivan; the World Series win of their revered Chicago Cubs; and the unthinkable, unimaginable 2016 election results. Through each of these episodes, we watch how one family responds to life—all those magical moments married together with those cruel moments, learning how to move forward in the midst of such change.
There was so much that worked for me with this book (even though I was reluctant due to under-stellar GoodReads reviews; shame on me, I know), but I’m so glad I gave it a go because it had me laughing out loud through so much of it. As someone who worked as a waitress through college, I loved the authentic restaurant atmosphere—the camaraderie and dysfunction of a full wait staff. The three primary perspectives—Jane, Gretchen, and Teddy—were all witty and relatable and complex. The family drama and political conversations also engaged me throughout it all. It was honestly a five-star read until the end. Endings are so crucial, and this one just stayed a bit stagnant. In a world where our reality can seem like it’s going nowhere (good), I wanted some solid resolutions—cheating partners and abusive, high school jocks to get what they deserved. I want it real, yes, but maybe because it hit so close to home, I wanted a bit of fantasy, too.
There was so much that worked for me with this book (even though I was reluctant due to under-stellar GoodReads reviews; shame on me, I know), but I’m so glad I gave it a go because it had me laughing out loud through so much of it. As someone who worked as a waitress through college, I loved the authentic restaurant atmosphere—the camaraderie and dysfunction of a full wait staff. The three primary perspectives—Jane, Gretchen, and Teddy—were all witty and relatable and complex. The family drama and political conversations also engaged me throughout it all. It was honestly a five-star read until the end. Endings are so crucial, and this one just stayed a bit stagnant. In a world where our reality can seem like it’s going nowhere (good), I wanted some solid resolutions—cheating partners and abusive, high school jocks to get what they deserved. I want it real, yes, but maybe because it hit so close to home, I wanted a bit of fantasy, too.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Marrying the Ketchups offers a peek into everyday life for an ensemble cast of siblings and cousins, who are connected both by blood and their shared stake in Sullivan’s, a family restaurant in Chicago. More character-driven than plot-driven, the novel emphasizes the characters’ past experiences and relationships, rather than offering any real progression to the present-day narrative.
This one reminded me of [b:Good Company|54798430|Good Company|Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607962006l/54798430._SY75_.jpg|86182738], [b:Morningside Heights|48822627|Morningside Heights|Joshua Henkin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575345638l/48822627._SX50_.jpg|74205743], or [b:The Paper Palace|55994372|The Paper Palace|Miranda Cowley Heller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607320833l/55994372._SY75_.jpg|75853893] - a snapshot story about ordinary people and their ordinary lives. This one stands out from the crowd a little bit, due to its heavy political themes and anti-Trump sentiments (so intense at times that it becomes unnecessarily melodramatic!), but beyond that, it’s pretty much standard women’s-fiction fare: someone mourning a breakup, someone dealing with infidelity in their marriage, someone giving up on the NYC performing arts scene and moving back home.
If a friend asked me to describe what I thought of this book, I’d probably shrug and say “Eh.” I guess I never really connected with all of the midlife crises, the infidelity, the “I-can’t-get-my-shit-together” lifestyles from people who are supposed to be grown adults, or the fresh & gutwrenching panic over an election of a candidate whose entire term is now in the rearview mirror.
The book wasn’t horrible, and some of the characters were likeable at times. The author’s writing style was fine. But nothing about the story felt super important or necessary—it just felt like something that’s already been done before. 2.5 stars rounded down, because when I finally finished reading, I actually said “ugh FINALLY” out loud.
This one reminded me of [b:Good Company|54798430|Good Company|Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607962006l/54798430._SY75_.jpg|86182738], [b:Morningside Heights|48822627|Morningside Heights|Joshua Henkin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575345638l/48822627._SX50_.jpg|74205743], or [b:The Paper Palace|55994372|The Paper Palace|Miranda Cowley Heller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1607320833l/55994372._SY75_.jpg|75853893] - a snapshot story about ordinary people and their ordinary lives. This one stands out from the crowd a little bit, due to its heavy political themes and anti-Trump sentiments (so intense at times that it becomes unnecessarily melodramatic!), but beyond that, it’s pretty much standard women’s-fiction fare: someone mourning a breakup, someone dealing with infidelity in their marriage, someone giving up on the NYC performing arts scene and moving back home.
If a friend asked me to describe what I thought of this book, I’d probably shrug and say “Eh.” I guess I never really connected with all of the midlife crises, the infidelity, the “I-can’t-get-my-shit-together” lifestyles from people who are supposed to be grown adults, or the fresh & gutwrenching panic over an election of a candidate whose entire term is now in the rearview mirror.
The book wasn’t horrible, and some of the characters were likeable at times. The author’s writing style was fine. But nothing about the story felt super important or necessary—it just felt like something that’s already been done before. 2.5 stars rounded down, because when I finally finished reading, I actually said “ugh FINALLY” out loud.
When Bud, the patriarch of the Sullivan family and diehard Chicago Cubs fan, passes away, the rest of the family is thrown into a strange time where the question everything they thought they knew. Gretchen, who sings in a cover band, finds herself drawn back home, Jane and her husband start marriage counseling, and Teddy puts his own dreams aside to step into the family’s restaurant. Together they navigate this new normal where Bud is gone, the Chicago Cubs win the series and Trump becomes President.
This was the first audiobook I ever listened to and I enjoyed it! It was poignant, funny and I thought the author was very clever in how the title related to the characters. That being said, I didn’t love the constant the talk about the 2020 election; it just felt very redundant and unnecessary at times.
This was the first audiobook I ever listened to and I enjoyed it! It was poignant, funny and I thought the author was very clever in how the title related to the characters. That being said, I didn’t love the constant the talk about the 2020 election; it just felt very redundant and unnecessary at times.
3.5. This is cute, and I like books about restaurant life. The back cover had many reviews saying it was a comedy, but I did not think it was particularly comical.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 stars | Marrying the Ketchups follows the Sullivan family, all four generations of them, who own a long-run restaurant in Chicago's Oak Park. After the Cubs win the World Series, Trump is elected president, and their patriarch dies, they are all thrown into turmoil.
Told mainly from the perspective of the three grandchildren of Bud, all of them in their 30s, we follow along for a few months as they grapple with this new reality, family dynamics, and significant life decisions.
I love a good family drama, and this one was very entertaining. I liked the characters and the writing and appreciated the varying perspectives to keep the story moving. However, I found some of the themes dated since this takes place in 2016. Taking place before the #MeToo movement, I found Jane's character dated and wanted more from her. I think it just felt strange to read a book about pre-Trump that was published in 2022.
If you love the show Parenthood, I 100% think you would enjoy this family dramedy!
Told mainly from the perspective of the three grandchildren of Bud, all of them in their 30s, we follow along for a few months as they grapple with this new reality, family dynamics, and significant life decisions.
I love a good family drama, and this one was very entertaining. I liked the characters and the writing and appreciated the varying perspectives to keep the story moving. However, I found some of the themes dated since this takes place in 2016. Taking place before the #MeToo movement, I found Jane's character dated and wanted more from her. I think it just felt strange to read a book about pre-Trump that was published in 2022.
If you love the show Parenthood, I 100% think you would enjoy this family dramedy!
Readable. If you’re from Chicago, it’s more enjoyable as you can resonate with places and experiences. Reminded me of the show “Parenthood”. I’m a sox fan but I support my Chicago teams so I didn’t mind how it revolves around the World Series.
This book had everything I normally like - family drama, a restaurant setting, current events - but I struggled to get through this book and admittedly scanned through the last quarter of it. Some have loved it but not me :/
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes