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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Quirky book, often written in 2nd person, about a woman looking back at her life and realizing it wasn't what it appeared - herself, her marriage, her friendship. Set on a cruise ship, it's somewhat similar to Where Did You Go Bernadette only with an older protagonist.
fast-paced
Other than the narrator mispronouncing Sequim (it's pronounced skwimm) throughout the entire audiobook, this was excellent.
A quick read told through flashbacks in the same vein as the game show. I like the non-linear timeline of the story, and how each chapter adds more understanding to the life of Harriet.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
The game show parody worked more than I expected it would, but I just couldn't get very invested in the story and didn't find myself caring very much about the characters. The dead husband's ghostly visits detracted much more than they added.
I read this for a book club, and unfortunately didn't enjoy reading it much at all. I didn't find any of the characters to be likable and felt that many of the relationships were forced (Kurt especially). Also, Harriet has a son, Skip, but nothing is even remotely resolved with him? Why even get into any of it with him? Just didn't really get the appeal of the book and wouldn't recommend.
Quirky, funny, sad, unpredictable. Seventy-eight year old Harriet Chance is being visited by her deceased husband. Those around her think she is moving into dementia, but truly Bernard is back trying to make amends. As the book unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey through the hope deferred life of the girl who dreamed of a career in law. Life and pregnancies resulting in two children and a driven husband took the aspirations on a different path that Harriet really never saw clearly until the day she died. This was a quick, easy read, perfect for a rainy day during the quarantine of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It took me a while to slip into this story and get comfy. I wasn't sure I like Harriet Chance enough to read an entire novel about her life. To my surprise I found myself choked up at the end, having been won over by her. I found myself wanting to have more time with her to see if she made any significant changes in her relationships and lifestyle. Trigger warnings, there is a reprehensible pedophile in the novel which was a sad development.
Nearly gave up with this and wished I had, didn't enjoy reading it. I didn't like the tone of the narration or the characters.
Such a depressing book and such a depressing life. I got so tired of the constant "wait for it" narrative. Nothing happened and this lady had a horrible albeit believable life.