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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I would’ve enjoyed a stronger narrative arc for any one character, as the novel doesn’t quite work as an ensemble study for me. But there’s a great sense of setting here, and something about the language feels sweet in its romance without unnecessary trappings.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Pros:
- I liked the writing- I really bought in to what each character was saying and rooted for them (meaning that I constantly switched sides as we went back and forth between different perspectives).
- The chapter of letters was my favorite!!! Truly blew me away, what a powerful way to show us the dynamic of the relationship
- I loved the relationship between Roy and his father <3 and also just loved exploring the different complex relationships throughout the book
- Importantly, while this is a novel about the complexity of marriage, love, and human relationships, it’s also about the flaws in the justice system, and I thought this was a phenomenal way to deliver that message without hitting us over the head with it
Cons:
- the best part of the book is the long epistolary chapter in the first half, so in some ways I felt a teensy bit let down by the second half in that it wasn’t quite as engaging
- The epilogue was a little odd to me in relation to what else we knew about the characters and I would have liked to see more character development to get us there (spoiler:
Roy just up and married someone new? ? )
Recommendation: I recommend for readers who appreciate good prose (don’t worry; it’s not flowery!!) and complex characters. This is a character-based novel at its core, and a good one at that. I think your enjoyment of the book will depend on whether you like books with complex and often unlikeable characters (if no, skip it) and whether you need a driving plot (if yes, skip it). If you can get behind those, then I think this book will be a thought-provoking win for you!
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-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:
No
As I read this book it played out so vividly in my head. A book is compelling when even the side characters make me curious to get to know them off the pages and that is exactly what this book did. Oprah needs to help this author make this into a series! Incredible story!
I definitely felt like I wasn't the intended audience for this?
This book felt like a person who didn't know anything about relationships had them described by a person who only watches like Paternity Court shows. The pacing was all over the place, more happens in the first 20% of the book than most people have happen in their entire lives. Then it kind of goes nowhere, while randomly throwing out fake 'woke-isms' (i.e., 6 or 12, 6 to bury you or 12 to convict you if you're a Black man). With so much happening in the beginning, I thought there was going to be way more that happened to the two characters in the back half... but no.
Just an attack on a symbolic (I guess?) tree.
I was REALLY expecting there to be a twist where he actually did rape that woman. At one point it really seemed to be leading there and I was like, no fucking way. But it didn't go there. It didn't really go... anywhere for me. I don't understand why it has such high ratings by everyone.
This book felt like a person who didn't know anything about relationships had them described by a person who only watches like Paternity Court shows. The pacing was all over the place, more happens in the first 20% of the book than most people have happen in their entire lives. Then it kind of goes nowhere, while randomly throwing out fake 'woke-isms' (i.e., 6 or 12, 6 to bury you or 12 to convict you if you're a Black man). With so much happening in the beginning, I thought there was going to be way more that happened to the two characters in the back half... but no.
Spoiler
Just an attack on a symbolic (I guess?) tree.
I was REALLY expecting there to be a twist where he actually did rape that woman. At one point it really seemed to be leading there and I was like, no fucking way. But it didn't go there. It didn't really go... anywhere for me. I don't understand why it has such high ratings by everyone.
A tragic story of a wrongfully-accused man, his wife, and their loved ones. The story itself was heartbreaking, but also felt choppy and disorganized. I wanted more of certain parts of the story, and less of other parts. Sometimes it felt too rushed, sometimes it felt too slow.
"One of the hurdles of adulthood is when holidays become measuring sticks against which you always fall short. For children, Thanksgiving is about turkey, and Christmas is about presents. Grown up, you learn that all holidays are about family, and few can win there."
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was just sad. I felt so bad for a black man… can you imagine. But honestly I get both sides, it’s a shame but it worked out in the end.
This is a tricky one to review. All though I did have my 'what the hell is happening' kind of moments.. The author still manages to capture the essentials and the dynamics of a non existent marriage per say.