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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I found myself loving all of these characters even though they were flawed in their own way. Just a great book to disappear in for a few days.
I was intrigued by this novel; I was curious to see how the author would write a novel with the narrator as an alcoholic. I found the narrator's prospective of her drinking verses social drinking interesting, depressing and realistic. I thought how the main character's self awareness changed as she drank was well done. I had a difficult time believing the narrator's interactions with Rebecca, however given that the narrator was an unreliable narrator, the relationship may not all be that seems. I just found this book boring at times, skimming passages of the narrators history. I did not care about the narrator. The plot line was not well developed.
The dust jacket has a lovely review by Jodi Picoult, whose books I am not a fan of reading. Maybe I should not read books that Ms.Picoult gives positive reviews.
The dust jacket has a lovely review by Jodi Picoult, whose books I am not a fan of reading. Maybe I should not read books that Ms.Picoult gives positive reviews.
2.5 - i kept waiting for this to get better. It didn't.
When I started, I didn't think I'd be that interested in the book when I realized what the plot was but it ended up being really good from start to finish.
I think I was waiting for some sort of reveal or turn at the end. I was expecting a character to be a ghost the whole time, or Hilda to be hardcore mentally I’ll in some way. I was waiting for Peter or Rebecca to be horribly evil in some way.
I think because I had such wild expectations for the end, I was unimpressed by it.
I think because I had such wild expectations for the end, I was unimpressed by it.
I listened to this on audio and did enjoy it for the most part. Growing up on the North Shore not far from where this book is set (though the book is set in a fictional town), many of this book's traits rang true to me. Leary nailed the “horse culture” scene here in New England and the propensity to put on a happy face during true pain. Hildy is a familiar character to me as I’ve seen her in acquaintances my whole life.
I will admit that I got a bit tired and annoyed with Hildy’s inability to see herself as what she is around the two-thirds mark of the book, but the ending was satisfying nonetheless.
In some ways, the tone reminded me of “Musical Chairs” by Amy Poeppel, so I think those who liked one will like the other, though this had less romance and leaned further into the story of a character searching for her true self.
I will admit that I got a bit tired and annoyed with Hildy’s inability to see herself as what she is around the two-thirds mark of the book, but the ending was satisfying nonetheless.
In some ways, the tone reminded me of “Musical Chairs” by Amy Poeppel, so I think those who liked one will like the other, though this had less romance and leaned further into the story of a character searching for her true self.
Leary is a talented writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for creating vivid characters. Anyone who is familiar with the bucolic towns of the Northshore of Massachusetts will know the characters and landscapes all too well. I had a blast reading it and it was nice to see a tale of wealth and scandal take place somewhere besides New York or Hollywood.
This book was a total mishmash of characters and plot lines. Seemed like the author threw in everything from her life and experiences. I can understand a movie adaptation if someone pulls out one or two threads and works from that. But nothing that would compel me to seek it out.
You wouldn't think a book about an alcoholic would be enjoyable, but it is! Hildy is a ridiculous, unstable narrator but she's fascinating. A trainwreck you can't look away from! My one complaint about this book is that all the smaller storylines are a bit much at times, and I would have liked something more to tie them together. Overall though, this is a great book, especially the audio version. Check it out!
Listened to it on audio- usually not my wheelhouse, don’t read much domestic quiet town sort of fiction, but it made me laugh and cry. Worth the listen.