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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
"Everything is redeemable, Martha. [...] Although ideally, you want to figure out the reason you keep burning your own house down."
This novel is a stunning, heartbreaking, introspective, emotional, harrowing portrait of a marriage from inception to collapse. Martha's mental illness is the main character, and anyone who has experienced depression or suicidality will deeply relate to her. At times I hated Martha, and at others I just wanted to hold her. Patrick is her antithesis in every way, and the story of them falling in love made me believe in love again. This novel features some of the most tender passages and some of the most vitriolic. It made me laugh, gasp, cry, celebrate, and despair - it is a fantastic foray into literary fiction I will never forget.
This novel is a stunning, heartbreaking, introspective, emotional, harrowing portrait of a marriage from inception to collapse. Martha's mental illness is the main character, and anyone who has experienced depression or suicidality will deeply relate to her. At times I hated Martha, and at others I just wanted to hold her. Patrick is her antithesis in every way, and the story of them falling in love made me believe in love again. This novel features some of the most tender passages and some of the most vitriolic. It made me laugh, gasp, cry, celebrate, and despair - it is a fantastic foray into literary fiction I will never forget.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great pacing and story but the character is horribly despicable
This book was really hard to review. I didn’t finish reading it — which is unusual for me but it wasn't because I didn't like it or think it was poorly written. I’m going to list the pros and cons of this book below and let you decide!
Pros:
The writing was so realistic, I could easily lose myself in a chapter and found myself so invested in the characters. But this leads to the con…
Cons:
The story follows a woman with an unnamed behavioral health issue (potentially depression or something akin to that). Because the writing is so realistic and the characters are so richly drawn, it can be really emotionally draining and difficult to read.
Pros:
The writing was so realistic, I could easily lose myself in a chapter and found myself so invested in the characters. But this leads to the con…
Cons:
The story follows a woman with an unnamed behavioral health issue (potentially depression or something akin to that). Because the writing is so realistic and the characters are so richly drawn, it can be really emotionally draining and difficult to read.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one started off so strong for me, and one of my favorite things about it was having a lady character who confidently didn't want kids. So, I was fairly bummed as the plot evolved and Martha revealed that she DOES, in fact, desperately want to be a mother.
I really enjoyed reading this book regardless - I snickered aloud many times, and thought the family dynamics were very well executed - but I was disappointed to have such a funny and distinct character ultimately comply with the cliche of what women are supposed to want.
I really enjoyed reading this book regardless - I snickered aloud many times, and thought the family dynamics were very well executed - but I was disappointed to have such a funny and distinct character ultimately comply with the cliche of what women are supposed to want.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me a while to get into this book but I did enjoy the writing and the way that the author was able to capture the characters emotions and personalities through seemingly unrelated little scenes.
dark
medium-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
I hated this book and could not for the life of me understand why Ann Patchett recommended it so highly. I couldn't wait to finish the book, to be done with the misery of reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Not recommended. This book will suck the joy from your life.
Loved it, exceptional writing, great story, sorry I already have finished it. Will revisit
