Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
This book was a complete mess to read! Although there were some redeeming factors such as the somewhat relatable feelings of the main character, Dani, the plot line was completely soiled by the sheer amount of unnecessary information and plot holes. Many motifs that were introduced in the beginning of the novel are completely left out towards the end (i.e the mother's support group that Dani looks to). On the topic of motifs, there are simply too many. This book is far from concise and I feel as though it would have been just as effective if not more if some of the recurring symbols and phrases were dropped all together. Moving on to characters, Dani is one of the most unlikeable MC's I have ever read, especially towards the end of the novel. Like I said before, some of her feelings toward the "normal women" were relatable, however, it is barely enough to excuse her paranoid thoughts and mistreatment of her friend Anya and husband Clark. Since we are in the first person perspective, it is explained to us why Dani lies to Clark about her Temple visits but none of them are justifiable. Throughout the novel Dani is consistently on the verge of cheating on her husband physically and constantly cheats on him emotionally. However, this is all magically forgiven at the end of the book because Clark finds it "attractive" which I found completely unrealistic and odd. Renata's character completely threw me for a loop. As I was reading I was constantly waiting for the plot twist that Renata was actually manipulating Dani and using her for profit. Despite her incredibly manipulative personality this does not happen!!! The book even explicitly writes about cults through a conversation between Clark and Dani only for the Temple to be fine in the end???There were genuinely so many clues to point to the Temple being a cult and it simply isn't! The "normal women" were unmemorable and bland which is definitely the intention but I still feel as though they I could switch around all of the names while reading and it wouldn't matter. As for the plot, it follows suit with all other elements of the novel and is completely scattered and incoherent. There are so many plot points that are simply forgotten about throughout the story. Does Dani ever heal her relationship with her mother? Where does Brandon go? Was Brandon a genuine person? Is Clark a genuine person? Despite finishing the book I cannot answer any of these questions. This book simply tosses feminist theory at the wall and hopes it sticks. Overall I'm grateful I picked this book up from the library instead of wasting both time and MONEY on this book.
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-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:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
one of the weirdest books ever nothing made any sense and i cannot tell what it’s trying to do but honestly i would so join the weird nonsense temple cult and also i now want affogato why did they keep mentioning it
I wanted to love this book so much, like truly an insane amount. My coworkers and I were really excited for this after we all read 'MotherThing' by the same author. We all got so excited when we all got approved for the ARC of this.
But it just didn't deliver for me. Maybe I'm not the target audience to relate to the content as I don't have children nor do I ever plan to. But I found the characters, and story to be so directionless.
I'll still pick up whatever Ainslie Hogarth puts out next, but maybe with more contained expectations
But it just didn't deliver for me. Maybe I'm not the target audience to relate to the content as I don't have children nor do I ever plan to. But I found the characters, and story to be so directionless.
I'll still pick up whatever Ainslie Hogarth puts out next, but maybe with more contained expectations
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
the book is interestingly weird. It’s quite slow at the beginning and intriguing, however the last 100pages just seem rushed and the ending was though surprising, pretty disappointing.
Stepford wives for a new generation. Hogarth remains as funny and bright and capable of skewering as ever, but this felt less certain than motherthing. Ending felt rushed and not up to par with her abilities.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated