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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
2 stars only because I made it to the end, but too many elements of the story were far-fetched for me, including the neat and tidy ending
Found the start of this really unnecessarily dense but did also enjoy a lot of the writing. Then really loved the last 25% or so!!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book. Jean Hanff Korelitz has great turns of phrase enabled by her willingness to use ten-dollar words (if they're the right words). Fun for me to look up words on my ebook and agree that it hit the right connotation, all while enjoying a well-paced plot that uses all the good hooks (short chapters, suspense, big reveals) to keep the momentum going.
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Just couldn’t finish it. I kept waiting for the new child to come into focus, but 62% of the way through, we’re still reading about the rotten triplets in the most pretentious writing style I’ve ever read.
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A true 5 stars. I was thoroughly engrossed in this book and delighted by the witty, carefully crafted writing. This is a rather long and winding story with satisfying complexity. It requires a little patience, especially in the middle, but the reader is rewarded handsomely for it. I’ve not read any of this author’s previous books (though I will seek them out now). She did a masterful job developing characters that were complex, deeply individual and in most cases, quite sad. I did not find them particularly likeable. They did and said horrible things to one another and yet, I cared to know more and found myself rooting for their redemption. This is a tough task! In the past, I’ve stopped reading books that feature whiny characters of immense privilege. This easily could have been that…but it was not. The other noteworthy comment is that even though this book featured sad people in difficult relationships with one another, it was not depressing. It was truly an enjoyable, devourable, satisfying read. I hope this story makes its way to the screen (big or small! I’ll happily consume either).
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes