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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Family Family by Laurie Frankel was a delight! I enjoyed this story about adoption and different kinds of families immensely. The characters were all well-developed and quirky. I had previously read and loved This Is How It Always Is by Frankel.
Thanks to Henry Holt and Co and NetGalley for the digital copy of the book for my honest opinion.
Thanks to Henry Holt and Co and NetGalley for the digital copy of the book for my honest opinion.
Sooooo spectacular I added all of this author’s books to my TBR list. It truly checked all the boxes for me.
Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
challenging
hopeful
reflective
A very sweet, touching, and often funny story about what truly constitutes “family.” Few children in this world choose their parents - birth, adoptive, or otherwise. There are so many definitions of “family” and blood relations are not the end-all-be-all. Additionally, this book is about that strange then phenomenon of just when you think you have it all figured out you realize you don’t know anything at all, but you have to continue to trust yourself and choose what is right for you at that moment.
I love that you get opportunities see each character’s perspective, including the children, who were written impeccably—very “House in the Cerulean Sea.” There is a particular hilarious scene where, India, the main character, deep into method acting as a cocky man, considers preparing quotes from “Caddyshack” instead of a monologue and that got me good.
The final 1/4th of the book made me cry. This was my second Laurie Frankel book and I’m very interested in visiting more of her novels.
hopeful
inspiring
CW: addresses abortion and LGBTQ issues
Possibly the most notated, highlighted book I’ve read in a *long* time. So many great quotes and laughs and intense important moments. Almost a must-read for those whose lives intersect with adoption. It needed to be written, and I’m very glad it was. It’s close to a must-listen, as well (but have a paper or digital copy to highlight alongside) because Patti Murin does a stellar job, and the author/narrator convo at the end is *not* to be missed.
Possibly the most notated, highlighted book I’ve read in a *long* time. So many great quotes and laughs and intense important moments. Almost a must-read for those whose lives intersect with adoption. It needed to be written, and I’m very glad it was. It’s close to a must-listen, as well (but have a paper or digital copy to highlight alongside) because Patti Murin does a stellar job, and the author/narrator convo at the end is *not* to be missed.
Frankel's afterword is important and telling. She needed to write this book. Adoption is not a last resort, not a tragedy, not, as she writes, a settled-for. Adoption can be chosen with joy, from both sides, and India, this book's main character, does that. She's a pregnant teenager, and chooses to give someone her baby as a beautiful gift, not as her mistake. It's a refreshing viewpoint. But then she does it AGAIN. And that's where she--the character, and the author--lost me.
This book's point, that family is family in a myriad of ways, that motherhood is made of a feeling, not a biological connection or a sharing of genes, is both narrratively trite and heartbreakingly, powerfully true. But the (possible, but for me, ridiculous) plot point that an accidental pregnancy would happen TWICE, in this age, is frustrating and for me, borderline irresponsible and felt anti-choice. Again-- I think Frankel wrote this book because she needed to write about her family. But the result is messy and though, because she's skilled (you can't help but love the kids especially), I just couldn't buy in. This Is How It Always Is was revelatory for me. And One Two Three broke my heart in the best way. This one just feels... like a heavy trifle, if that makes sense.
This book's point, that family is family in a myriad of ways, that motherhood is made of a feeling, not a biological connection or a sharing of genes, is both narrratively trite and heartbreakingly, powerfully true. But the (possible, but for me, ridiculous) plot point that an accidental pregnancy would happen TWICE, in this age, is frustrating and for me, borderline irresponsible and felt anti-choice. Again-- I think Frankel wrote this book because she needed to write about her family. But the result is messy and though, because she's skilled (you can't help but love the kids especially), I just couldn't buy in. This Is How It Always Is was revelatory for me. And One Two Three broke my heart in the best way. This one just feels... like a heavy trifle, if that makes sense.
I think Laurie Frankel might be one of my favorite writers. This Is How It Always Is was so thought provoking and my favorite book the year I read it. One, Two, Three was heartfelt and engaging. Family Family showed that adoption is not always "the last choice".
Laurie Frankel continues to write engaging books with great characters drawn from her own life experience. Excellent novel.
Laurie Frankel continues to write engaging books with great characters drawn from her own life experience. Excellent novel.