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nonsensicaljourney's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To begin with a disclaimer, I have a bit of a complicated relationship with contemporary literary fiction, and this book (albeit objectively very good) made me remember why my relationship is usually so strained. I read this book because it was recommended by a friend, and I still think it is good - I just didn't personally enjoy it very much.
This book is set up with a very interesting and well-thought-through structure. Gil's wife, Ingrid, has disappeared, and he starts off the book thinking he's seen her reappear. It becomes clear that Gil is getting old and might just be imagining things, and the primary plot is about their two daughters and how they respond to Gil getting old. Meanwhile, the alternate chapters tell the story of Ingrid, in letters that she wrote to Gil and left in books around the house before she disappeared. The themes about writing, reading, and what it means to tell a story, are the parts that I liked the most about this book - it was an interesting investigation of what it means to be a writer, and what it means to tell a story. It taught me about point of view / perspective and how complicated that idea can be, when executed well like it is in this book.
This book is also very well-written in general, and I sped through it relatively quickly for a book with this kind of literary content which investigated the psyches of characters so deeply. My issue with the book isn't so much about the way it was written or the ability of its author, but more about my difficulties with reading about characters who seem to constantly make bad moral choices, or seem to constantly be put in harm's way. I imagine that's my own personal hang up, but if that's an issue for you, beware that this book falls in that category, at least in my opinion.
That being said, overall, this is a well-written and well-executed book about interesting themes (not just reading and writing, but also responsibility in marriage and the roles of men and women in society) and if you like this kind of thing, I'd recommend you give it a go.
This book is set up with a very interesting and well-thought-through structure. Gil's wife, Ingrid, has disappeared, and he starts off the book thinking he's seen her reappear. It becomes clear that Gil is getting old and might just be imagining things, and the primary plot is about their two daughters and how they respond to Gil getting old. Meanwhile, the alternate chapters tell the story of Ingrid, in letters that she wrote to Gil and left in books around the house before she disappeared. The themes about writing, reading, and what it means to tell a story, are the parts that I liked the most about this book - it was an interesting investigation of what it means to be a writer, and what it means to tell a story. It taught me about point of view / perspective and how complicated that idea can be, when executed well like it is in this book.
This book is also very well-written in general, and I sped through it relatively quickly for a book with this kind of literary content which investigated the psyches of characters so deeply. My issue with the book isn't so much about the way it was written or the ability of its author, but more about my difficulties with reading about characters who seem to constantly make bad moral choices, or seem to constantly be put in harm's way. I imagine that's my own personal hang up, but if that's an issue for you, beware that this book falls in that category, at least in my opinion.
That being said, overall, this is a well-written and well-executed book about interesting themes (not just reading and writing, but also responsibility in marriage and the roles of men and women in society) and if you like this kind of thing, I'd recommend you give it a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
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