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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
100 pages in and I realized I just didn't care for our narrator. Also, by 100 page in the conflicts should be a whole lot less subtle. I shouldn't be asking where is this going and why is it interesting? It's not.
The story is good and overall well written but gets sort of clunky and rushed towards the end. Like the author was racing against a deadline. The real gem is the audiobook. The voice actor is *chef’s kiss*
3.5 The book description calls it funny. I totally disagree. It's a sad but fascinating look at an alcoholic and a small town. Beware that the narrator is mostly unlikable and unreliable.
3.5 stars rounded up.
It is Leary's excellent portrayal of an alcoholic in denial that kept this book from becoming a fluff read for me. Hildy Good is a 60 year-old realtor in a small seaside town in New England where she's lived all her life. It is her long-time residency and successful business that has earned her a lot of clout in the community. She is both lovable and infuriating as an outspoken, wisecracking townie who honestly believed that everyone was wrong to think she had a drinking problem.
After her divorce, she allows her daughters to send her to a rehab center for two months. This proves unsuccessful because she resumes her drinking soon after. This is the part I found most poignant as Hildy struggled to present herself in the community as rehabilitated while continuing to drink in secret. The raw and honest depiction of an alcoholic's thoughts, fears and actions is one of the best I've ever read and it helped me to understand the addiction better. There are sub-plots to this story that I found to be melodramatic but I cared about Hildy enough to read until the end.
Leary's writing is smart and funny but never flippant. It's a good read and I recommend listening to the audiobook to heighten the experience. Mary Beth Hurt's narration is really outstanding.
It is Leary's excellent portrayal of an alcoholic in denial that kept this book from becoming a fluff read for me. Hildy Good is a 60 year-old realtor in a small seaside town in New England where she's lived all her life. It is her long-time residency and successful business that has earned her a lot of clout in the community. She is both lovable and infuriating as an outspoken, wisecracking townie who honestly believed that everyone was wrong to think she had a drinking problem.
After her divorce, she allows her daughters to send her to a rehab center for two months. This proves unsuccessful because she resumes her drinking soon after. This is the part I found most poignant as Hildy struggled to present herself in the community as rehabilitated while continuing to drink in secret. The raw and honest depiction of an alcoholic's thoughts, fears and actions is one of the best I've ever read and it helped me to understand the addiction better. There are sub-plots to this story that I found to be melodramatic but I cared about Hildy enough to read until the end.
Leary's writing is smart and funny but never flippant. It's a good read and I recommend listening to the audiobook to heighten the experience. Mary Beth Hurt's narration is really outstanding.
I found this novel a refreshing read. Characters to like and dislike, enough mystery and suspense to keep you reading past bedtime. The small town culture added to the story in an interesting way. I will be reading more novels by Ann Leary.
Some unexpected twists, and some very perceptive writing.
I didn't read the back of this book before I picked it up to read this weekend. I decided to let it surprise me. And it did.
While Hildy Good, the narrator, may lie to herself, she's frank about what she knows of herself & the stories of those around her. Sometimes to the point of hilarity. Or to the point you may find yourself the victim of an empathy/sympathy cringe or two on her behalf. At some point, she may make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
"The Good House" covers alcoholism, family & community relationships, and love with unexpected clarity.
While Hildy Good, the narrator, may lie to herself, she's frank about what she knows of herself & the stories of those around her. Sometimes to the point of hilarity. Or to the point you may find yourself the victim of an empathy/sympathy cringe or two on her behalf. At some point, she may make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
"The Good House" covers alcoholism, family & community relationships, and love with unexpected clarity.