Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Kept waiting for the climax of the book. It ended up being rather small, but was a good conversation about the significance vs. insignificance of every day.
My favorite thing about this book is how seriously Sullivan takes the relationships. You expect both Elisabeth and Sam's partners to be flawed (and they are) but it's not in the way you've been trained to expect conflict. I really thought that Clive would end up being a lecherous old man taking advantage of the college student - but he's not. I thought that Andrew would be a clueless man who doesn't take parenthood seriously because he's the dad - and then it turns out it's just taking him some time.
There were some lines here that I had to read out loud about marriage and friendship. I don't do that often.
As a women's college graduate, I always appreciate Sullivan's writing about same-sex education.
The conflicts aren't huge here, but they are smart and compelling and well written.
There were some lines here that I had to read out loud about marriage and friendship. I don't do that often.
As a women's college graduate, I always appreciate Sullivan's writing about same-sex education.
The conflicts aren't huge here, but they are smart and compelling and well written.
it was okay! i wouldn’t tell anyone that they had to read it. elisabeth annoyed me and i feel like a lot of the story lines went undeveloped. not my favorite read.
I love a book centered on female friendships and their complexities. During my younger 20s, I befriended several women, often through work, who were at the next life stage from me. Friends and Strangers is a take on that relationship, where the line is towed between boss and employee, friend and mentor. Elisabeth and Sam have an easy rapport and connection, and I enjoyed how the complexities of life become entangled in their relationship and end up defining it in the end.
I could not put this book down. I kept thinking about if I found it delicious or cozy, but neither of those words was quite right - and it wasn't so much that I couldn't put it down as that I wanted to pick it back up all the time. It was delightfully engrossing.
Having said that, I also didn't feel like the book was so great? It definitely reminded me of [b:Such a Fun Age|43923951|Such a Fun Age|Kiley Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557181911l/43923951._SY75_.jpg|63995465] without race (mostly) (and that's such a substantial part of that book!). The book was a little overstuffed with George, the sister, Faye, the father, the mother... even Isabella seemed to be more there for convenience and a plot point. On the other hand, I thought Elisabeth and Sam were well developed, and I liked that their communication, which had a deep sense of togetherness during an intense time, but was also fragile, had misunderstandings, and of course was based on an employer relationship. Clive was also perfectly ambiguous (although I certainly didn't like him - but it was easy to see why Sam did), and Andrew's role was fittingly surface-layer, after an infinite number of books where female partners are glossed over (also that grill was perfect).
Having said that, I also didn't feel like the book was so great? It definitely reminded me of [b:Such a Fun Age|43923951|Such a Fun Age|Kiley Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557181911l/43923951._SY75_.jpg|63995465] without race (mostly) (and that's such a substantial part of that book!). The book was a little overstuffed with George, the sister, Faye, the father, the mother... even Isabella seemed to be more there for convenience and a plot point. On the other hand, I thought Elisabeth and Sam were well developed, and I liked that their communication, which had a deep sense of togetherness during an intense time, but was also fragile, had misunderstandings, and of course was based on an employer relationship. Clive was also perfectly ambiguous (although I certainly didn't like him - but it was easy to see why Sam did), and Andrew's role was fittingly surface-layer, after an infinite number of books where female partners are glossed over (also that grill was perfect).
First 40% was slow and needed a heavy edit, but I really enjoyed the second half and the ending. Great writing and character building.
3.5 is likely more accurate. I don't typically love J. Courtney Sullivan novels but this one gripped me more than others have. I enjoyed the dynamics between Sam and Elizabeth, both flawed and lonely individuals drawn together and often crossing boundaries - but if it's for the right reasons, is it okay? The book doesn't actually answer this so much as leave the reader to take away what they will at the conclusion.
ETA: ALSO. I am so sick of people who refuse to communicate. It's obnoxious as hell.
ETA: ALSO. I am so sick of people who refuse to communicate. It's obnoxious as hell.
Enjoyed how all of the characters lives intersected and became entwined with one another. Definitely made me think about the impact our individual perspective affects the lives of those around us.
This was so much fun to read. It was the perfect distraction for the first few days after sending my oldest off to college. I was sad to near the end because I hated leaving the characters behind, but after finishing I realized the whole experience of reading this book was just so satisfying. Perfect characters, sense of place, pacing, political relevance - everything.