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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
How to Sleep at Night begins with Ethan announcing to his husband, Gabe, that he wants to run for congress - as a republican. Ethan’s sister, Kate, is a reporter and a lesbian. She reconnects with an ex, Nicole, who is currently married to a man and has two children. These characters aren’t particularly likable. Ethan is self centered and brainwashed. I would have liked this much more if he had influenced his potential supporters by being true to himself and his family than that he had been led by the desire to win to compromise his views - to the great dismay and ultimately unraveling of his husband. Kate’s work ethic is pathetic and she doesn’t deserve the ending she gets (though it would make a great story). I couldn’t like Nicole at all. It seemed like she was just looking for a reason to implode her family. Her husband was more likable but underdeveloped. The kids are cute. I did appreciate that in the end Ethan realized what he had forced upon his family (Ethan and Gabe also have a daughter). I was hoping for more. It seemed like in the end, the journey wasn’t worth it.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
An intriguing and timely premise, especially given today’s political climate.
When Ethan announces his plan to run for Congress as a Republican, he throws his politically progressive husband, Gabe—and their seemingly stable suburban life—into chaos. At the same time, Kate, a disillusioned political reporter and Ethan’s sister, is forced to reckon with her past and personal values when her ex unexpectedly reappears, all while navigating rising family tensions. This sharp and witty novel explores the messy overlap between public image and private truth.
The book insightfully tackles how political differences can strain even the closest relationships—particularly relevant in such a polarised world. Exploring the dynamics between a married couple with opposing political views, and the perspective of a sister caught in the middle, offers a fresh and layered take on modern family life. Despite its weighty themes, the novel has moments of warmth and humour, especially through Ethan and Gabe’s daughter, who brings a lightness to the narrative.
That said, some characters—particularly Nicole—felt underdeveloped, and her choices weren’t always fully convincing. I also found the final portion of the book a bit rushed, with resolutions coming all at once. A slightly more measured pace at the end would have made the ending more satisfying, in my opinion.
4o
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the premise and writing style but at the end found myself wondering, what was the point? Did the characters really grow or just fall back into the only options they had left?
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very compelling insight into American politics in the 2020’s and all the ways queerness intersects with it. Very insightfully written and an endlessly compelling premise. I do wonder what the thematic connection between the two plot lines is though - despite both storylines being very readable and insightful, they felt a bit disparate.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how the characters were all connected and played a role in each other’s lives. I didn’t love Ethan tho. He and his politics were not great. But the story was good with an interesting premise. An easy, enjoyable read.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One extended family, one decision, one heck of a mess. When Ethan decides he wants to run for Congress his sister and husband support him. Even though they both see his bid for the Republican ticket to be unfathomable given what the party tends to represent for demographics they're in or care about. The decision puts Ethan and Gabe's marriage to the test. It also creates tension and potential problems for his sister Kate who works as a highly valued journalist. As if dealing with the reemergence of a ghost of her relationships past coming back into the picture wasn't enough!
"How to Sleep at Night" is clearly a work written by someone who needed to cope with a recent election cycle. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. The issue comes into the way each character, particularly Ethan, is generally seen as the boiler plate talking points of extremism that members or both parties in the US are usually glossed over and stereotyped as.
What could have been a very genuine look at the nuances and gradients that exist turns out rather cliche. It's a touch disappointing. There is a very real space for a story that explores the cohabitation and familial ties between people with different views. The story does make the distinction several times that it isn't strange for two spouses to be of opposite positions. It pins the tipping point on the running for office. The reality of life is, though, that many of us mingle with people with a range of ideologies in our every day and intimate lives all the time. Instead of generating conversation about the overlaps it just adds fuel to the flames.
I understand that this book is trying to tackle the concepts of the limits of our personal morals. It is trying to talk about compromises and a second coming of age of sorts. I get that they were trying to parallel how 'good' people can make what would be seen as unethical decisions with the campaign and Nicole's affair. I just wish it wasn't so on the nose.
"How to Sleep at Night" is clearly a work written by someone who needed to cope with a recent election cycle. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. The issue comes into the way each character, particularly Ethan, is generally seen as the boiler plate talking points of extremism that members or both parties in the US are usually glossed over and stereotyped as.
What could have been a very genuine look at the nuances and gradients that exist turns out rather cliche. It's a touch disappointing. There is a very real space for a story that explores the cohabitation and familial ties between people with different views. The story does make the distinction several times that it isn't strange for two spouses to be of opposite positions. It pins the tipping point on the running for office. The reality of life is, though, that many of us mingle with people with a range of ideologies in our every day and intimate lives all the time. Instead of generating conversation about the overlaps it just adds fuel to the flames.
I understand that this book is trying to tackle the concepts of the limits of our personal morals. It is trying to talk about compromises and a second coming of age of sorts. I get that they were trying to parallel how 'good' people can make what would be seen as unethical decisions with the campaign and Nicole's affair. I just wish it wasn't so on the nose.