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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
This was a good read...another book that caught my eye on the "new" shelf at the library. I'd give it 3.5 stars. Essentially the story about a man who has had a midlife crisis and left the "boring" life he lived for 40 years, only to realize that he made an error. Some parts are a bit comedic, some parts stretch credibility a touch and there are many sweet and sad parts. Not a new concept for a novel, but I enjoyed it.
A steady read, no new ground broken in terms of topic or characters. The breakdown in Anders' life and his journey to and from the Connecticut shore towns was, well, rather predictable. There were a few moments when it seemed that the author was trying to break out of that established arc but it read as being shoehorned in rather than as a natural progression.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel is a really genius exploration of the soul-sucking effect that capitalism has on the idealistic nuclear family. It asks the question: once you’ve dedicated your life to fulfilling the American dream, and you’ve succeeded, will you be happy?
It’s not particularly unique or ground-breaking, but what I liked about it was that it was actually enjoyable to read. The characters were endearing even if they weren’t particularly likeable, and Thompson is a master of situational humour. Anders is your typical Boomer-aged white man who might remind you of why you don’t get along with your dad, but by some miracle, he is a sympathetic character. I think it’s the fact that his 3/4 life crisis arises out of his frustration in upper-middle class society, which I found to be very relatable. I just wish there was a bit more character development from him in the end. Otherwise, this was a great casual read.
It’s not particularly unique or ground-breaking, but what I liked about it was that it was actually enjoyable to read. The characters were endearing even if they weren’t particularly likeable, and Thompson is a master of situational humour. Anders is your typical Boomer-aged white man who might remind you of why you don’t get along with your dad, but by some miracle, he is a sympathetic character. I think it’s the fact that his 3/4 life crisis arises out of his frustration in upper-middle class society, which I found to be very relatable. I just wish there was a bit more character development from him in the end. Otherwise, this was a great casual read.
The soullessness of wealth, late stage capitalism, materialism, class, what changes and what stays the same between generations... I enjoyed it. His characters are also very human and relatable, and sympathetically and humanly depicted.
"You know what the scientist in charge of that project said about it forty years later? He was one of those Soviet guys with a goatee and a lab coat, and he said, 'Nothing we learned on that mission could justify the loss of that beautiful animal.'"
"Really?"
"Google it. Laika was a stray and the scientists became really close to her. They, like, raised her."
Anders looked back at the page, the dog strapped down to that table. "That's heartbreaking."
Beginning another novel dealing with issues surrounding commitment and marriage, The Land of Steady Habits was a light-hearted, unintentional follow-up to Jamie Quatro's Fire Sermon. Serious topics are examined in this text; unhappiness in marriage, infidelity (to some extent), guilt, suicide, teen drug-use, etc. Although humorous in its approach, I felt Thompson did them justice in his style, leaving enough space for the reader to gain their own understanding from characters' behaviour. I was both sympathetic towards Anders in his good intentions and appalling decisions, and his ex-wife Helene who is just trying to make the most of the rest of her life. The unironic satire in the characterisation of Helene's friends and boyfriend compared to Anders was interesting and fun. It was a very humble novel, with nuances of John Updike, and grounding in its story which is very well-rounded in the way it is told. Although relatively plain, it did give me a different perspective on life and those close to me.
Great first novel from a recent graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop.
This book has the elements I like: a somewhat self-deprecating protagonist, some divorce, some parenting issues, some drug use, some disappointments and an unpredictable ending.
I liked that Anders left his wife and then realizes that he shouldn't have done that. But instead of appreciating the other facets of the story like the children who suffered the consequences of parents wanting the best for them despite what they want, i focused on whether the two would make amends. I won't spoil the ending but even though I like unhappy endings as much as happy ones this one was a little depressing.
I enjoyed the book and hope Thompson is writing a follow up or another novel. He's talented.
I liked that Anders left his wife and then realizes that he shouldn't have done that. But instead of appreciating the other facets of the story like the children who suffered the consequences of parents wanting the best for them despite what they want, i focused on whether the two would make amends. I won't spoil the ending but even though I like unhappy endings as much as happy ones this one was a little depressing.
I enjoyed the book and hope Thompson is writing a follow up or another novel. He's talented.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The setting and major subject matter of this novel--affluent northeastern suburbs, the disintegrations of families living within them--is a well-worn topic, and one I'm not particularly interested in as a rule. However, whatever might be unappealing about the subject in broad strokes, Thompson more than makes up for it with excellent storytelling. As a writer, Thompson's narrative control, empathy, insight, and prose take what would otherwise be a book I'd have no interest in and turn it into something special.
The characters are living an upper-class life, commuting into NYC or prowling among the estates of Connecticut, flunking their way through prep schools. Doing drugs, of course, and engaging in justified infidelity. There aren't many happy moments in this book, lots to be sad about, lots of pain and loss and longing. And yet, somehow, perhaps because of the tone Thompson often strikes, you can't help but feel for everyone involved, however broken and flawed and incomplete they might be. And it's that empathy that left this reader somehow feeling lighter, when the book came to an end. It's quite an accomplishment.
The characters are living an upper-class life, commuting into NYC or prowling among the estates of Connecticut, flunking their way through prep schools. Doing drugs, of course, and engaging in justified infidelity. There aren't many happy moments in this book, lots to be sad about, lots of pain and loss and longing. And yet, somehow, perhaps because of the tone Thompson often strikes, you can't help but feel for everyone involved, however broken and flawed and incomplete they might be. And it's that empathy that left this reader somehow feeling lighter, when the book came to an end. It's quite an accomplishment.