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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
(you can read my full review here)
The Futures had the premise of a realistic plot, simple enough to be easily relatable. At least that's the idea I had after I've read the synopsis. It's supposed to be about growing up, leaving university, finding your first job, figuring out what you want to be in life.
The main problem I found with this book - and I'll add a warning that I've read the uncorrected advanced reader copy - was the chronological mess. You think dedicating a whole chapter to each character (alternating point of views) would give the author enough room to explore the timeline in a more organized way. Instead, we keep jumping from present to past events. I'm not saying a book needs to follow a chronological order, no, and that would probably ruin some of the surprises. But there are better ways to tell the story than overwhelming the reader with the constant flashbacks.
Another thing I wanted to be interested in was the 2008 financial crisis and Evan's parallel story at his workplace, but there are too many pages with irrelevant details for something that seemed to be no more than a backdrop for Julia's betrayal.
The Characters:
The main issue with the characters is that it's not easy at all to sympathize with them. Considering the book is supposed to be an accurate portrayal of growing up - something we all have done, are doing, or will do eventually, the characters should have been more relatable. It's true that nobody wants perfect characters who never make mistakes, but it was very difficult for me to relate to these privileged characters with dubious morals - rich people problems! I also felt that despite the fact that the book is a lot about growing up so we'd expect the characters to be young and somehow mature, both Julia and Evan act much younger than their age. The way Julia behaves is childish to say the least, and Evan's character is confusing and difficult to understand. From a romance's perspective it was interesting to see how both characters saw things so differently in the relationship, and I think the main lesson intended here was to show how we can often overlook our own mistakes and quickly blame the significant other. It was such a shame that the character's development was not compelling enough to support the main idea.
The Writing Style:
The story is a first person narrative told from two alternating point of views - Julia and Evan. Many of the events are narrated by both characters and I think that's what I liked most about this book - the fact I could see how both reacted and interpreted situations differently. Apart from the chronological issues, I liked the writing style - simple, straight to the point, exactly what it needed to be to match the book's content and tone.
Overall, The Futures is easy to read and the story narrative's style was a smart choice. It has some plot twists that aren't completely unpredictable but entertaining enough to keep you going. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to get 3 stars for me, but doesn't mean others won't enjoy it more.
The Futures had the premise of a realistic plot, simple enough to be easily relatable. At least that's the idea I had after I've read the synopsis. It's supposed to be about growing up, leaving university, finding your first job, figuring out what you want to be in life.
The main problem I found with this book - and I'll add a warning that I've read the uncorrected advanced reader copy - was the chronological mess. You think dedicating a whole chapter to each character (alternating point of views) would give the author enough room to explore the timeline in a more organized way. Instead, we keep jumping from present to past events. I'm not saying a book needs to follow a chronological order, no, and that would probably ruin some of the surprises. But there are better ways to tell the story than overwhelming the reader with the constant flashbacks.
Another thing I wanted to be interested in was the 2008 financial crisis and Evan's parallel story at his workplace, but there are too many pages with irrelevant details for something that seemed to be no more than a backdrop for Julia's betrayal.
The Characters:
The main issue with the characters is that it's not easy at all to sympathize with them. Considering the book is supposed to be an accurate portrayal of growing up - something we all have done, are doing, or will do eventually, the characters should have been more relatable. It's true that nobody wants perfect characters who never make mistakes, but it was very difficult for me to relate to these privileged characters with dubious morals - rich people problems! I also felt that despite the fact that the book is a lot about growing up so we'd expect the characters to be young and somehow mature, both Julia and Evan act much younger than their age. The way Julia behaves is childish to say the least, and Evan's character is confusing and difficult to understand. From a romance's perspective it was interesting to see how both characters saw things so differently in the relationship, and I think the main lesson intended here was to show how we can often overlook our own mistakes and quickly blame the significant other. It was such a shame that the character's development was not compelling enough to support the main idea.
The Writing Style:
The story is a first person narrative told from two alternating point of views - Julia and Evan. Many of the events are narrated by both characters and I think that's what I liked most about this book - the fact I could see how both reacted and interpreted situations differently. Apart from the chronological issues, I liked the writing style - simple, straight to the point, exactly what it needed to be to match the book's content and tone.
Overall, The Futures is easy to read and the story narrative's style was a smart choice. It has some plot twists that aren't completely unpredictable but entertaining enough to keep you going. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to get 3 stars for me, but doesn't mean others won't enjoy it more.
it was an easy read but i cannot help but admit to being disappointed by this book. I didn't much care for or about any of the characters. The storyline was predictable and not helped by the discontinuity in the time line - forever going backwards and forwards by a week, a month whatever. It failed to climb able the parapet for me
2.5 Stars
The first half of this book really caught my attention and kept me entertained. It took me back to the post-college days of trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do for the next 30 years of your life. But after the drama of all that happened it quickly went south for me. There wasn't much action taking place and it was extremely predictable. The last several chapters were a bear to get through as they all felt way too cliche; as if they were from a self-help book. Not my cup of tea, but I have been on a streak of amazing books, so there's bound to be a bad one in there at some point and this one was it for me. I can't say I would recommend this one.
The first half of this book really caught my attention and kept me entertained. It took me back to the post-college days of trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do for the next 30 years of your life. But after the drama of all that happened it quickly went south for me. There wasn't much action taking place and it was extremely predictable. The last several chapters were a bear to get through as they all felt way too cliche; as if they were from a self-help book. Not my cup of tea, but I have been on a streak of amazing books, so there's bound to be a bad one in there at some point and this one was it for me. I can't say I would recommend this one.
I liked this book! It was interesting how we went back a forth between the present and past memories. It was a short simple read. Nothing too dramatic. The ending was left open.
took me about 100 pages to get into it. but i liked the pacing throughout, and the ending felt right for the characters
I was halfway through and did not care about anyone in this story. The writing is good, but the pacing is slow and the relationship is too boring to engage me.
I enjoyed the book. Having it in two points of views gave you the chance to understand each of the characters. It wasn't a book I would normally read but I liked it and glad that I gave it a chance.
Whenever I dislike a book, my first thought is that it must be just me. I’m missing something, I’m being hypercritical, I’m just not the right audience for the book.
But, honestly, this book was so uninspired that at one point, I started getting actively angry at it. I didn’t want to finish it, and I’m not sure why I did.
It’s about a couple of recent Ivy League grads who have moved to Manhattan just before the 2008 financial crisis (she comes from money, he’s starting at six figures in a prestigious financial firm). Evan is asked to do some shady things for his boss--he’s working a lot of hours and feeling uncertain about the ethics. Julia, somewhat more unmoored in terms of a career path, is starting to wonder if their relationship is meant for the world outside of college.
Career uncertainty, the stress of adult relationships. It should be relatable, but it never rose above bland and predictable. It felt like just going through the motions of a book that I’ve already read a dozen time before, with nothing new or distinct to set it apart. And it sticks so tightly to that mold of “upper class white people literature” that it ultimately lost any appeal as a twentysomething “finding yourself” novel. It’s hard to feel any sympathy for these characters who have so much going for them.
It shouldn’t make me angry to be asked for that sympathy, but I found myself feeling so irritated because a) it’s just shitty timing given what’s going on in the country now and b) because I felt like the broad sketches of the characters’ lives hewed so closely to the broad sketch of the author bio on the back flap that part of me really and truly doubted that Anna Pitoniak has had enough experiences to have written a novel that could genuinely engage me. I mean, you’re supposed to “write what you know,” right? Whenever I see those biographical similarities between author and character, I assume there’s some level of autobiography in the fiction, especially with young writers. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that idea--it’s led to some phenomenal novels with tons of emotional resonance. But when it leads to a formulaic novel that’s not as relatable as it assumes it should be, it’s hard for me to avoid casting aspersions on the privilege or the insularity of the author.
But, honestly, this book was so uninspired that at one point, I started getting actively angry at it. I didn’t want to finish it, and I’m not sure why I did.
It’s about a couple of recent Ivy League grads who have moved to Manhattan just before the 2008 financial crisis (she comes from money, he’s starting at six figures in a prestigious financial firm). Evan is asked to do some shady things for his boss--he’s working a lot of hours and feeling uncertain about the ethics. Julia, somewhat more unmoored in terms of a career path, is starting to wonder if their relationship is meant for the world outside of college.
Career uncertainty, the stress of adult relationships. It should be relatable, but it never rose above bland and predictable. It felt like just going through the motions of a book that I’ve already read a dozen time before, with nothing new or distinct to set it apart. And it sticks so tightly to that mold of “upper class white people literature” that it ultimately lost any appeal as a twentysomething “finding yourself” novel. It’s hard to feel any sympathy for these characters who have so much going for them.
It shouldn’t make me angry to be asked for that sympathy, but I found myself feeling so irritated because a) it’s just shitty timing given what’s going on in the country now and b) because I felt like the broad sketches of the characters’ lives hewed so closely to the broad sketch of the author bio on the back flap that part of me really and truly doubted that Anna Pitoniak has had enough experiences to have written a novel that could genuinely engage me. I mean, you’re supposed to “write what you know,” right? Whenever I see those biographical similarities between author and character, I assume there’s some level of autobiography in the fiction, especially with young writers. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that idea--it’s led to some phenomenal novels with tons of emotional resonance. But when it leads to a formulaic novel that’s not as relatable as it assumes it should be, it’s hard for me to avoid casting aspersions on the privilege or the insularity of the author.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Can two people from truly different backgrounds fall in love and stay in love when the odds are stacked against them, from the beginning?
Anna Pitoniak's beautifully written debut tries to tackle this question. Julia comes from an upper class Boston suburban family, and Evan comes from middle of nowhere Canada where Hockey is life. They meet freshman year at Yale, fall in love and the story is really all about their journey in New York, post college.
The book reads very quickly (I finished in two nights), and alternates between Julia and Evan - I enjoyed reading the story from both perspectives, I think it helps one understand their characters that much more. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Great debut!!
Can two people from truly different backgrounds fall in love and stay in love when the odds are stacked against them, from the beginning?
Anna Pitoniak's beautifully written debut tries to tackle this question. Julia comes from an upper class Boston suburban family, and Evan comes from middle of nowhere Canada where Hockey is life. They meet freshman year at Yale, fall in love and the story is really all about their journey in New York, post college.
The book reads very quickly (I finished in two nights), and alternates between Julia and Evan - I enjoyed reading the story from both perspectives, I think it helps one understand their characters that much more. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Great debut!!