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nickylizzy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
I have enjoyed reading Joanna Trollope’s books about contemporary life for years. In The Other Family, she explores the effects upon two families of a man’s death. As always, Trollope does a good job of portraying the complexities and messy relationships of modern life.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-other-family/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-other-family/
sadmor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
susannavs's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 I think this would have been so much better if the families hadn't known about each other, or one of them hadn't known. As it was, it was half-hearted, with two of the daughters knowing and the third not. Almost all of the characters irritated me - Chrissie, Margaret (also, why were both his "wives" agents? Too much coincidence.), Tamsin and Dilly. Amy and Scott less so, but still. An easy, light read.
gaderianne's review against another edition
3.0
I found that I enjoyed reading this book. Its premise:
Famous pianist dies unexpectedly and leaves behind a grieving family - wife and three daughters. But it turns out he never really married his "wife." He left another wife and son behind to be with the second "wife" and start a new family. And refused to divorce the first wife and marry the second wife. And then left in his will (unexpectedly) his piano and all the rights to his early songs to his first family. To the point - he was quite a cad. In many different ways. For leaving behind his first family and refusing to have anything to do with them. For refusing to divorce his first wife and provide her with closure. For leaving his second family to have to deal with the aftermath of his inconsideration in paying estate and property taxes because they weren't legally married. For giving away anything that would provide support for his second family (even though it was gracious of him to finally remember upon death his first family).
What I didn't understand about this book and what prevented me from trying to really understand this book was how much hatred the second family - Chrissy and the three girls had for his first family - Margaret and his son. I mean HATRED. When the youngest daughter Amy wants to get to know her half brother, they look at it as a betrayal. Yet Margaret, who was left behind, doesn't seem to harbor the same hatred. Hurt, yes. Anger, yes. But not the same bitter hatred as the other women. And I just don't understand why. And this made me think they were ALL a bunch of cads. All of them - except really for Margaret and Scott, who really weren't all that developed as characters.
Famous pianist dies unexpectedly and leaves behind a grieving family - wife and three daughters. But it turns out he never really married his "wife." He left another wife and son behind to be with the second "wife" and start a new family. And refused to divorce the first wife and marry the second wife. And then left in his will (unexpectedly) his piano and all the rights to his early songs to his first family. To the point - he was quite a cad. In many different ways. For leaving behind his first family and refusing to have anything to do with them. For refusing to divorce his first wife and provide her with closure. For leaving his second family to have to deal with the aftermath of his inconsideration in paying estate and property taxes because they weren't legally married. For giving away anything that would provide support for his second family (even though it was gracious of him to finally remember upon death his first family).
What I didn't understand about this book and what prevented me from trying to really understand this book was how much hatred the second family - Chrissy and the three girls had for his first family - Margaret and his son. I mean HATRED. When the youngest daughter Amy wants to get to know her half brother, they look at it as a betrayal. Yet Margaret, who was left behind, doesn't seem to harbor the same hatred. Hurt, yes. Anger, yes. But not the same bitter hatred as the other women. And I just don't understand why. And this made me think they were ALL a bunch of cads. All of them - except really for Margaret and Scott, who really weren't all that developed as characters.
sardine164's review against another edition
3.0
Started slow, finished strong, easy to read. (Slow start -> 3 stars)
Hopeful ending for the characters.
I like the 'slice of life' feel.
Hopeful ending for the characters.
I like the 'slice of life' feel.
mariyami_i's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly cannot appreciate Trollope enough for the amazing writing, she's one of those gifted authors with truly a writer's hand. A cliche but reflective plot with real characters; still can't decide if it was supposed to be a book or a mirror. A book with all the flaws of a society wrapped up in a bundle of stems with the beautiful parts as the flowers. No matter where you go, a part of you will always hang around in the past.
Though I was just a little disappointed with the way it ended; left me with whole lotta questions but I see the point why Trollope did that. As a way to show the monotony of life and the different shades and personalities of people hidden under that one perfect layer.
Though I was just a little disappointed with the way it ended; left me with whole lotta questions but I see the point why Trollope did that. As a way to show the monotony of life and the different shades and personalities of people hidden under that one perfect layer.
sashabellalucy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is beautifully written. The characters are complex and flawed in a perfectly human way. A brilliant novel of domestic human life.
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
She does this so well - the astonishment on both sides, the wife and the mistress, about being treated badly. And, as always, the children's point of view is so well represented.
katecks's review against another edition
3.0
So so! I was interested enough in the characters to finish the book but really only Amy, Scott and Margaret were in any way sympathetic or believable. Also the story never delved into how or why Ritchie left his original family and why he never stayed in touch with them especially his son.