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extemporalli's review against another edition
5.0
This is THE beach read. (Note: wasn't at a beach, just FELT like I was)
raoionna's review against another edition
4.0
Thoughtful and well-written, but a little hard to read as you reflect on your own bliss.
karenika's review against another edition
4.0
This book is not what it looks like on the surface. At least not what it looked like to me. It's not a light beach read. It's also not a "quirky character" read like quite a few that came out last year. I like both of those genres just fine but I wanted to make sure to say what it's not because I find that the expectations we have for a book before we read it end up coloring our feelings about the book (at least it does for me.)
Anyhow. This book is about a father, (and his family), whose life is not turning out the way he thought/wanted/worked for and at almost seventy, he is reflecting and taking steps to understand what life is about and to reconnect with his children.
There are several lovely passages in the book. Here's one I liked:
"....Even my wife, my former wife, I mean. I used to know her, but now I only think I knew her. She left me for someone else. His name's Steve. I think he understands her. I don't think I ever did."
"It's a bit cliched, isn't it?" said Bryan, whose grin seemed to have prevailed for three hours now. "The aging male whole wife left him all alone and now women are this giant cosmic mystery...."
"So now I am lonely and a cliche?"
"I don't think it's about understanding women. You're just up against a universal conundrum. Look, I have a partner, right? I like him. I love him. But I don't understand him. Sometimes I think I don't even know him. And that's not because he's an atheist or Hispanic or an only child. It's because he's another human being. Humans don't understand each other. Punto. That's the way it is. But start saying you don't understand women and you're making yourself the problem. Let is go. You're just a human like anyone else."
There are a few bits of wisdom here and there that really spoke to me. I also loved that it didn't tie up into a big, pretty bow in the end. There are moments of realization, moments of progress but there are also moments of sliding back. These characters are human. They are flawed. They are real. Even the ones you don't know much about, you can connect with.
I really enjoyed this gem and thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Anyhow. This book is about a father, (and his family), whose life is not turning out the way he thought/wanted/worked for and at almost seventy, he is reflecting and taking steps to understand what life is about and to reconnect with his children.
There are several lovely passages in the book. Here's one I liked:
"....Even my wife, my former wife, I mean. I used to know her, but now I only think I knew her. She left me for someone else. His name's Steve. I think he understands her. I don't think I ever did."
"It's a bit cliched, isn't it?" said Bryan, whose grin seemed to have prevailed for three hours now. "The aging male whole wife left him all alone and now women are this giant cosmic mystery...."
"So now I am lonely and a cliche?"
"I don't think it's about understanding women. You're just up against a universal conundrum. Look, I have a partner, right? I like him. I love him. But I don't understand him. Sometimes I think I don't even know him. And that's not because he's an atheist or Hispanic or an only child. It's because he's another human being. Humans don't understand each other. Punto. That's the way it is. But start saying you don't understand women and you're making yourself the problem. Let is go. You're just a human like anyone else."
There are a few bits of wisdom here and there that really spoke to me. I also loved that it didn't tie up into a big, pretty bow in the end. There are moments of realization, moments of progress but there are also moments of sliding back. These characters are human. They are flawed. They are real. Even the ones you don't know much about, you can connect with.
I really enjoyed this gem and thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
minneapolismerk's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
britakate's review against another edition
The opening scenes in Cambridge made me think I'd be following the befuddled professor through a satire of academia. There are some further episodes of that, and they're specific enough to the field of economics to make me wonder if the author is or was an economist. But the satire also takes on new-age America (Esalen Institute, specifically - but most successfully in the character of Steve), among other targets. Professor Chandra is perhaps best described by the fact that other characters say he's "a character" and he doesn't understand what they mean. His "journey of a lifetime" (as the marketing copy phrases it) yields small adjustments rather than significant transformations in his beliefs, relationships, and approach to life; in that regard at least, I found it quite realistic. The conflict that was most interesting to me, since I've seen it play out among my peers, is between Chandra and his radical elder daughter. It was a less thoughtful exploration than I've encountered in books such as [b:Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist|25604513|Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist|Sunil Yapa|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432652569s/25604513.jpg|45413572], but does a good job of raising some serious issues in a lighthearted context. In fact, I would say the same for the book overall.
mugglemom's review against another edition
2.0
This was just ok for me. Bliss=lightness, no? There was some enjoyable banter by the main character but I just couldn't relate to any character in the book. I thought this was going to be some witty and light read, much like "A Man Named Ove" but they are miles apart and this book really didn't deliver lightness.
menomica's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really enjoyed this book. If you really wanted to, you could boil it down to rich guy goes on a retreat for rich people and does has an epiphany, but it is a bit more subtle than that, and it’s developed in a more humanizing way.
Literally no one in this book except Jasmine was really likeable (Jean was a literal THATCHER supporter, which I didn’t even know existed). Most (except Steve and Chandra) weren’t incredibly egregious, but they most definitely were not perfect, which I think humanized them in a sense.
Literally no one in this book except Jasmine was really likeable (Jean was a literal THATCHER supporter, which I didn’t even know existed). Most (except Steve and Chandra) weren’t incredibly egregious, but they most definitely were not perfect, which I think humanized them in a sense.
Speaking of Chandra. Holy hell he sucked. Like, up until the 80% mark, I truly was actively against him, but I never wanted to dnf the book because I had proper faith that the author would make him confront his flaes, and I was right. It was made very clear from the beginning that Chandra was a horrible husband and even worse father, and by the end he truly realized this and reflected on it, and was making constant efforts to do better. I Ioved how we touched on the cycle of abuse with Chandras parents. I think that was really cool. I fucking LOVED the running gag of him not knowing pop culture things «under the influence of something called crystal meth»
Also, this book was funny. It’s a bit dry humor so it’s definitely not for everyone, but it was really nice in the reading.
I think this book was really nice and really sweet, with writing that was both articulate and casual. It’s a bit of a rough read at times, but I definitely recommend it.
Also, this book was funny. It’s a bit dry humor so it’s definitely not for everyone, but it was really nice in the reading.
I think this book was really nice and really sweet, with writing that was both articulate and casual. It’s a bit of a rough read at times, but I definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
astuenkel's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this would be a lighter read. Chandra drove me crazy at times but it made me think about how I deal with my children.
shaguftap's review against another edition
4.0
Ah this book is a delight.
Patriarchy hurts us all, and this book is unusual because it is about a brown male protagonist trying to figure out his emotions at age almost 70. All the characters are flawed, but there are no villains in this story, and I felt so much empathy (and frustration!) with the protagonist. It is a sensitive, interesting, funny, nuanced book and I really enjoyed the read. It drags at bits but there are real gems here.
Patriarchy hurts us all, and this book is unusual because it is about a brown male protagonist trying to figure out his emotions at age almost 70. All the characters are flawed, but there are no villains in this story, and I felt so much empathy (and frustration!) with the protagonist. It is a sensitive, interesting, funny, nuanced book and I really enjoyed the read. It drags at bits but there are real gems here.