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thepetitepunk's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 stars
i genuinely thought this was written by a man
i genuinely thought this was written by a man
mrsporterreads's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity
kalerush's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ashleys_aside's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
2.0
This was a strange read. Nothing really happened. And for a book about human interactions ... there were some seriously unbelievable human interactions. It was interesting to read something that was just a reflection on relationships rather than a story. But I don't think I was the intended audience.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
This novel follows Ivan as he picks up his wife's father, who is definitely not on his meds, and chauffeurs him back to his house. Prue is seen as a shoo-in to be awarded tenure and she's giving a speech which is seen as the capstone of her career so far. Ivan feels that he's losing Prue, but can't put a finger on why or how, only that she seems removed from him somehow. When the lecture is not well-received and the subsequent house party goes even more badly, Ivan is left scrambling to keep everything together, even as he is losing it.
Lindsay Stern's debut novel is a look at communication -- between spouses and within families. It's also a send up of Academia and is often funny and absurd, but the focus remains on Ivan and his dealings with his own feelings as chaos swirls around him in the form of his distant wife, his all-too-present Father-in-Law and his niece, May, who is delightful, but also a lot of work for an over-extended, childless man who is losing his tightly held control over his environment. It reminded me of Anne Tyler's writing. It was a slight but entertaining and well-written novel and I look forward to reading Stern's next novel.
Lindsay Stern's debut novel is a look at communication -- between spouses and within families. It's also a send up of Academia and is often funny and absurd, but the focus remains on Ivan and his dealings with his own feelings as chaos swirls around him in the form of his distant wife, his all-too-present Father-in-Law and his niece, May, who is delightful, but also a lot of work for an over-extended, childless man who is losing his tightly held control over his environment. It reminded me of Anne Tyler's writing. It was a slight but entertaining and well-written novel and I look forward to reading Stern's next novel.
adarby's review against another edition
1.0
All the characters drove me insane. They’re all bad. I only finished it because I kept hoping there would be some development. There wasn’t.
the_old_gray_cat's review against another edition
1.0
An unsuccessful professor faces the decline of his marriage and career at once. This book felt like a less joyous, less witty version of "Straight Man" by Richard Russo.
mrskendallreads's review against another edition
4.0
An honest look at marriage and failed communication. I couldn't put it down.
kellypigeon's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. Not so much about animal languages as a couple who has forgotten how to communicate. Is it weird I wanted more about the animals? I enjoy short reads, but here the characters, the bird study, the side plots... everything just could have been a little more developed.
Disclosure: I won a copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
Disclosure: I won a copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.