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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
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.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was really interested in the characters and what the author was trying to say about marriage and relationships and politics but I got a little boring towards the end.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes