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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
As an avid reader, I have repeatedly found that your emotional state, the state of the world and so many other factors contribute to how you receive the book. Right now, in the middle of a pandemic, and political upheaval and so much unrest, this book was way too aggravating for me to enjoy. It is so unfortunate, because the story was so well crafted and beautifully written, but I just could not settle in to enjoy it.
The story is a modern retelling of Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton. I have not read that book, so I cannot compare the stories. Perhaps it would have been more enjoyable if I had that background knowledge. The characters were completely unlikable. Zo was so angry and unpleasant that I could not – and did not want to – connect with her. Ethan was so one dimensional, and his attraction to the babysitter was so cliché. I really only liked the spirited 11 year old daughter, Alex, who reminded me of my own child with ADHD.
I struggled throughout most of the book, but I really loved the last quarter. Benjamin was able to pull the story together by the end and it was deep and thoughtful and beautiful. However, it didn’t redeem the first ¾ of the book for me. Though I didn’t really love this particular book, I will definitely look forward to reading Ali Benjamin’s books in the future!
My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.
The story is a modern retelling of Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton. I have not read that book, so I cannot compare the stories. Perhaps it would have been more enjoyable if I had that background knowledge. The characters were completely unlikable. Zo was so angry and unpleasant that I could not – and did not want to – connect with her. Ethan was so one dimensional, and his attraction to the babysitter was so cliché. I really only liked the spirited 11 year old daughter, Alex, who reminded me of my own child with ADHD.
I struggled throughout most of the book, but I really loved the last quarter. Benjamin was able to pull the story together by the end and it was deep and thoughtful and beautiful. However, it didn’t redeem the first ¾ of the book for me. Though I didn’t really love this particular book, I will definitely look forward to reading Ali Benjamin’s books in the future!
My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in any way.
3.5
Very entertaining and of our times, but flawed and more than a bit cynical. Try these quotes on for size: "The world is rotten to its core. We're all fucking compromised. Might as well be honest about that." Or..."That's what outrage is, isn't it? A passing back and forth of despair..." If you're in the market for a somewhat gloomy take on how the despair of the previous four years can ruin relationships, compromise morals, and generally become outright exhausting, this is your novel.
Very entertaining and of our times, but flawed and more than a bit cynical. Try these quotes on for size: "The world is rotten to its core. We're all fucking compromised. Might as well be honest about that." Or..."That's what outrage is, isn't it? A passing back and forth of despair..." If you're in the market for a somewhat gloomy take on how the despair of the previous four years can ruin relationships, compromise morals, and generally become outright exhausting, this is your novel.
I ended up appreciating this book with its ending much more than I expected to. And like much of the work by its inspiration’s author, when I reached the ending, I immediately turned back to the beginning to re-read it, because I now knew what was going on, and I realized that my initial assumptions were incorrect. Which is honestly a pretty significant theme of the book.
I definitely will revisit this. Throughout much of the novel, the tone was really unclear to me. But I think that may be the point—that ambivalence is not a successful strategy. Or, maybe a surprising and strong ending is making me want to be more charitable toward the rest of the novel. I’m not sure.
I definitely will revisit this. Throughout much of the novel, the tone was really unclear to me. But I think that may be the point—that ambivalence is not a successful strategy. Or, maybe a surprising and strong ending is making me want to be more charitable toward the rest of the novel. I’m not sure.
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
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
emotional
medium-paced
"The Smash-Up," a very modern novel with ambitious notions of capturing something important about the historical moment we're experiencing, is also a retelling of Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome." The book explores the #MeToo movement, the Trump administration and Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings. It has great potential and a strong ending, but the narrative is harmed by a sagging middle and a couple of barely plausible plot lines. Ultimately, seeing 2018 through the eyes of a liberal-leaning but basically timid upper-class white guy just isn't that compelling.
Note: I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The modern retelling of Ethan Frome in current events ended up insightful and inspiring. These insights and some of the punctuation, especially early on in the novel, felt a little repetitive, like taking the same deep breaths and cycling the same thoughts at times that didn’t hold so much activity on tension. The frame story felt right but was also a bit jarring and esoteric. Overall, almost four stars if the repetitive bits could’ve been replaced by more character thoughts and plot details especially from interesting peripheral characters.
Ethan and Zo have had a good marriage. Their daughter, Alex, is precocious and challenging and they appreciate her exuberance and intelligence. After the 2016 election, Zo becomes politically involved and it upends their lives.
I found THE SMASH-UP to be relevant and engaging. I became attached to the characters, especially Alex, and rooted for them even as I cringed at some of the things they did. The book touched on quite a few topics and made me think so I think it would make for an interesting book club discussion.
I found THE SMASH-UP to be relevant and engaging. I became attached to the characters, especially Alex, and rooted for them even as I cringed at some of the things they did. The book touched on quite a few topics and made me think so I think it would make for an interesting book club discussion.