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meredith_summers's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
samizimecki's review against another edition
3.0
This was 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 but I was really on the fence between 2 and 3.
It follows the story of Ken Kimble through the eyes of his three wives, Birdie, Joan and Dinah. I really struggled with this book, because all of the characters are unlikable. Ken is a con man who never seems to really love anybody but himself. He marries Birdie when he is in his mid-thirties and she is just 18. They have two kids that he pretty much ignored for 8 years before he runs off with another of his students. He just ups and leaves his family and kids and never seems to give them a second thought, even though Birdie had no way of supporting herself or the kids. Birdie then turns into a drunk, with the two kids (Charlie and Jody) being neglected to the point of almost getting taken away by CPS. Both adults are terrible characters, and Charlie (who was only 7 at the time) had to take care of himself and his mother and sister. This was a frustrating section to read.
Then we see Ken's next years through Joan, who meets Ken after his relationship with his student didn't work out. Joan used to be a strong, independent woman, but after a bout with cancer, she dims her personality and becomes passive and weak. She's also loaded, so Ken pursues her and she, happy for a man's attention again, continues to make bad decisions. I was hoping I could like Joan, but she also is a terrible character.
Lastly we see through the eyes of Dinah, who, spoiler alert, USED TO BABY SIT KEN'S FIRST KIDS. Gross. Thankfully we see Dinah 15 years into her marriage with Ken, disillusioned and trying to find her own agency. If not for Dinah's chapters, I would've given this book a 1 star.
Haigh has a beautiful style of writing and even with such terrible people to read about, she kept the story interesting enough for me to finish. But she also created characters who I really disliked, and while I'm sure that was her intention for Ken, I don't think she wanted the readers to hate the first two wives as much as I did. There are very few people I'd recommend this book to, but I could see how some person could potentially enjoy this story.
It follows the story of Ken Kimble through the eyes of his three wives, Birdie, Joan and Dinah. I really struggled with this book, because all of the characters are unlikable. Ken is a con man who never seems to really love anybody but himself. He marries Birdie when he is in his mid-thirties and she is just 18. They have two kids that he pretty much ignored for 8 years before he runs off with another of his students. He just ups and leaves his family and kids and never seems to give them a second thought, even though Birdie had no way of supporting herself or the kids. Birdie then turns into a drunk, with the two kids (Charlie and Jody) being neglected to the point of almost getting taken away by CPS. Both adults are terrible characters, and Charlie (who was only 7 at the time) had to take care of himself and his mother and sister. This was a frustrating section to read.
Then we see Ken's next years through Joan, who meets Ken after his relationship with his student didn't work out. Joan used to be a strong, independent woman, but after a bout with cancer, she dims her personality and becomes passive and weak. She's also loaded, so Ken pursues her and she, happy for a man's attention again, continues to make bad decisions. I was hoping I could like Joan, but she also is a terrible character.
Lastly we see through the eyes of Dinah, who, spoiler alert, USED TO BABY SIT KEN'S FIRST KIDS. Gross. Thankfully we see Dinah 15 years into her marriage with Ken, disillusioned and trying to find her own agency. If not for Dinah's chapters, I would've given this book a 1 star.
Haigh has a beautiful style of writing and even with such terrible people to read about, she kept the story interesting enough for me to finish. But she also created characters who I really disliked, and while I'm sure that was her intention for Ken, I don't think she wanted the readers to hate the first two wives as much as I did. There are very few people I'd recommend this book to, but I could see how some person could potentially enjoy this story.
deannareads's review against another edition
4.0
This book made me feel a lot of things.
•
Ken Kimble is a handsome, intelligent man who is also an opportunist and a consumer in every way. This is the story about the three women he married over the course of his life and the impact his existence(or lack of) had on them(and their children).
•
I enjoyed the story-telling aspect of this book. I became absorbed in the lives of the characters. I loathed Ken Kimble’s character and I literally hurt for his wives and children as I read. His narcissism and selfishness is nothing short of vile but what makes it even worse is how cleverly disguised it is-these three women were not stupid, they just believed in love and trusted the wrong man. The children he left, they were completely innocent and grew up without a father. This book explores how one person and one choice can have a permanent effect on another person’s life in a multitude of ways.
⠀
Well written and heart wrenching, real and raw, with characters you will want to pull out of the pages and comfort yourself, this is a book that will make you feel something-probably a lot of things.
•
Ken Kimble is a handsome, intelligent man who is also an opportunist and a consumer in every way. This is the story about the three women he married over the course of his life and the impact his existence(or lack of) had on them(and their children).
•
I enjoyed the story-telling aspect of this book. I became absorbed in the lives of the characters. I loathed Ken Kimble’s character and I literally hurt for his wives and children as I read. His narcissism and selfishness is nothing short of vile but what makes it even worse is how cleverly disguised it is-these three women were not stupid, they just believed in love and trusted the wrong man. The children he left, they were completely innocent and grew up without a father. This book explores how one person and one choice can have a permanent effect on another person’s life in a multitude of ways.
⠀
Well written and heart wrenching, real and raw, with characters you will want to pull out of the pages and comfort yourself, this is a book that will make you feel something-probably a lot of things.
hexie88's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alegriafury's review against another edition
3.0
A quick read, kind of fascinating while I was reading it, but probably forgettable, beyond the fact that I just can't comprehend how a man could be such a shit to the people around him, especially his kids.
robinsolomon's review against another edition
5.0
Jennifer Haigh is one of the most gifted contemporary authors I've read. Her writing is so tight, and her characters so carefully drawn. This was an excellent read.
everyone_dani's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book for 15 pesos in a bookstore that sells second hand books. I loved the book. It describes the lives of women touched by this mysterious Mr. Kimble.
poedogruns's review against another edition
3.0
While this book is not an edge of your seat thrill read, the character development is strong. I enjoyed it enough to finish the story. It had a very "real life" feel about it, almost like a memoir, but without a true hero.