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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
lighthearted
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
I just finished this book and don’t even know what or how I feel. Lots of plot twists, many sort of “telenovela” style events (unbelievable but you still want to know what happens next). Sadly all this at the expense of character development. The characters were flat, and OH THE PRIVILEGE AND IGNORANCE. It was hard to move beyond.
I think Giffin could have done more to honor those lost, and their families, in 9/11. It felt a bit surface level for a real life historic event.
I think I would have liked if the book had ended a few chapters earlier, more in the spirit of Love the One You’re With. The writing was a bit untidy and confusing, first focusing on trusting your gut, then your head. It comes together in the end but rather messily and hastily. Forgiveness was too unrealistically fast. And despite being messy in how it got to the end, the ending itself was too tidy, with everything working out and tied with a ribbon.
Whatever the quality of each of her books, I will say that Giffin books are consistently quick reads for me for a brief getaway from real life, and there is value in that.
I think Giffin could have done more to honor those lost, and their families, in 9/11. It felt a bit surface level for a real life historic event.
I think I would have liked if the book had ended a few chapters earlier, more in the spirit of Love the One You’re With. The writing was a bit untidy and confusing, first focusing on trusting your gut, then your head. It comes together in the end but rather messily and hastily. Forgiveness was too unrealistically fast. And despite being messy in how it got to the end, the ending itself was too tidy, with everything working out and tied with a ribbon.
Whatever the quality of each of her books, I will say that Giffin books are consistently quick reads for me for a brief getaway from real life, and there is value in that.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Though I did enjoy the beginning half of the story, the inclusion of 9/11 wasn't the only issue I had. 9/11 is a historical event that probably did change numerous love stories, however, I didn't feel that it was done in the most sensitive way.
I've also come to realize that Emily Giffin seems to like the affair & single mother tropes. I really loved Something Borrowed, but I don't know that it's a theme I need to continue reading.
AND the fact that Grant was still alive and just hiding in the woods really disgusts me and it made me really angry to discover so that didn't help the overall book.
I've also come to realize that Emily Giffin seems to like the affair & single mother tropes. I really loved Something Borrowed, but I don't know that it's a theme I need to continue reading.
AND the fact that Grant was still alive and just hiding in the woods really disgusts me and it made me really angry to discover so that didn't help the overall book.
This was quintessential Emily Giffin! As with the other Emily Giffin novels I've enjoyed the most, she presents a compelling character study that's a quick read and includes some plot twists along the way. The Lies That Bind centers on Cecily, a 28-year-old journalist from Wisconsin. Cecily lives in NYC and writes for a gossipy newspaper, and we first meet her in the summer of 2001—with the inevitability of 9/11 lurking for readers. Following a recent breakup, Cecily meets the handsome and mysterious Grant in a bar. The two instantly connect and form a passionate bond. When Grant goes missing on 9/11, Cecily's mission to find him leads to her discovering some secrets—in classic Emily Giffin fashion.
While I thought some of the novel's plot twists were predictable and that the ending was rather abrupt and pat (as has been the case with some of Emily Giffin's other novels), I was absolutely swept up in the story. And even at her most selfish and frustrating, Cecily is likable. Her growth as a character follows a delectable arc that reflects Giffin's command of character writing. While there's nothing particularly revelatory or entirely new in The Lies That Bind, it does embody Emily Giffin's ability to write enjoyable and fast-paced novels. In this case, it's centered on a woman who has much to learn about what she wants out of life and love.
I must add, too, that there's something particularly poignant about reading this novel now and having it take place around 9/11. Now in 2020, we're seeing life in NYC (and America on the whole) upended again with the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, The Lies That Bind also has an unexpected prescience to it, and that made reading it in this moment more emotional and cathartic.
While I thought some of the novel's plot twists were predictable and that the ending was rather abrupt and pat (as has been the case with some of Emily Giffin's other novels), I was absolutely swept up in the story. And even at her most selfish and frustrating, Cecily is likable. Her growth as a character follows a delectable arc that reflects Giffin's command of character writing. While there's nothing particularly revelatory or entirely new in The Lies That Bind, it does embody Emily Giffin's ability to write enjoyable and fast-paced novels. In this case, it's centered on a woman who has much to learn about what she wants out of life and love.
I must add, too, that there's something particularly poignant about reading this novel now and having it take place around 9/11. Now in 2020, we're seeing life in NYC (and America on the whole) upended again with the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, The Lies That Bind also has an unexpected prescience to it, and that made reading it in this moment more emotional and cathartic.
It’s like a 3.5
Some parts I liked and others I didn’t. Some parts were repetitive and some predictable. I didn’t really care for the ending because Matthew was somewhat like-able and relatable. Grant was too perfect.
Some parts I liked and others I didn’t. Some parts were repetitive and some predictable. I didn’t really care for the ending because Matthew was somewhat like-able and relatable. Grant was too perfect.
This book hooked me from the start, because I wanted to know what happened but I have to say I wasn’t too happy with where it went. I never fell for any of the characters - Cecily, Matthew, Grant. The whole book just left me wanting more, something different. It was a decent enough story, especially tying in 9/11, but definitely wasn’t my favorite Emily Giffin book. I will say, I did love when she tied in characters from her other books!
This book was just all over the place. The beginning was like a cheesy romance novel. The middle held my interest but the Amy/Cecily resolution was so silly. Amy was an appealing character & then wham she turns superficial & cold. The Matthew/Grant/Cecily mess made my head spin but not in a good way. Not her best novel!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great story, had a hard time liking/relating with the main character…