Scan barcode
saracha22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.25
This book really had me reflecting on myself and I related to some of her inner struggles. I liked the prose, the language and wordplay was clever and made me reflect. I think the staggered storytelling made it more interesting.
However I found the main character to be incredibly unlikeable, and the ending dissatisfying. major spoiler: at the end it felt like she finally made a breakthrough mentally but then she just decides to jump?!? Successfully shocked me, but poor victor losing his mom and his brother so close together. That didn’t feel like a resolution to me.
However I found the main character to be incredibly unlikeable, and the ending dissatisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
burdybooks's review
1.0
This book is a light, fairly engrossing story based on simple events that compound and culminate into the ultimate conclusion. It is upfront, uncomplicated, basic. If it were a coffee, it'd be pumpkin spice instant latte mix. If it was a TV show, it'd be Desperate Housewives (the first 2 seasons, that's as far as I watched). I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I'm saying it's not MY thing. And that's fine. If other people like pumpkin spice instant latte, go for it, friend.
So that's why for the one star. I felt like I was tricked into thinking I would like this. I read reviews and they compared Hausfrau to Anna Karenina, a book I've read once before and loved. It's a lot like Desperate Housewives, or even Lost for that matter: it convinced me it was much more meaningful and allegorical than it ever really was.
It's not fair to compare this to Anna Karenina, just because of some vague similarities. Both titular characters have extra-marital affairs, both. But, unfortunately where Anna Karenina stood for a greater portrait of Russian society, Hausfrau is just simply that story of an unfaithful wife. And I happen to like the kind of depth in Anna Karenina, and am easily bored when deeper meaning cannot be found in a book.
I originally gave this book 3 stars, thinking it would be nice. But then I realized that was dishonest, and I thought that if I can't be honest in a book review, what am I even doing?
Hausfrau...
Like reading a wikipedia page describing the CliffNotes of a children's abridged version of Anna Karenina, as recalled by a drunken 32 year old trying to sound impressive to university juniors at a party s/he has no idea how s/he got into. It's like that. With some sex that's just uncomfortable, and some odd, needless tragedies. I mean, Anna's already having a hard time with her intense depression and apathy, did you have to, Jill? Seriously?
So that's why for the one star. I felt like I was tricked into thinking I would like this. I read reviews and they compared Hausfrau to Anna Karenina, a book I've read once before and loved. It's a lot like Desperate Housewives, or even Lost for that matter: it convinced me it was much more meaningful and allegorical than it ever really was.
It's not fair to compare this to Anna Karenina, just because of some vague similarities. Both titular characters have extra-marital affairs, both
Spoiler
give birth to children from their affairs, and both complete suicide at the endI originally gave this book 3 stars, thinking it would be nice. But then I realized that was dishonest, and I thought that if I can't be honest in a book review, what am I even doing?
Hausfrau...
Like reading a wikipedia page describing the CliffNotes of a children's abridged version of Anna Karenina, as recalled by a drunken 32 year old trying to sound impressive to university juniors at a party s/he has no idea how s/he got into. It's like that. With some sex that's just uncomfortable, and some odd, needless tragedies. I mean, Anna's already having a hard time with her intense depression and apathy, did you have to
Spoiler
kill her favorite sonholmstead's review
2.0
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just couldn't make a connection with this one. After 30% into the book, I'm thinking about all the mundane tedious things I've read. Too much jumble, too little suspense. Nothing made me want to read on about this woman. Anna- you are "mostly" a good wife? The opening sentence had so much potential. From there, it just fell flat. 40% into it and I'm done....for now.
I just couldn't make a connection with this one. After 30% into the book, I'm thinking about all the mundane tedious things I've read. Too much jumble, too little suspense. Nothing made me want to read on about this woman. Anna- you are "mostly" a good wife? The opening sentence had so much potential. From there, it just fell flat. 40% into it and I'm done....for now.
laila4343's review
3.0
Sad, weird, sexy, alternately compelling and frustrating. Anna is a train wreck. Reminded me of Kate Chopin's The Awakening only set in modern day Switzerland.
karentipsy's review
4.0
This book is depressing AF. Like, I feel sick and sad having just finished it. Like it all happened to me.
lamom77's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the author's writing style, very different from other books I have read, but very much disliked the characters. It was a very depressing story.
eceerich's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0