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A review by brothena
The Real Thing: Lessons on Love and Life from a Wedding Reporter's Notebook by Ellen McCarthy
2.0
Heard this book mentioned as a recommendation for a bride-to-be on the "What Should I Read Next Podcast". I figured it would be a nice, light read as my last several had been on the heavier side. Consumed on my kindle.
Overall, this book is a series of unrelated short stories, most of which highlight a couple the author had interviewed, highlighting a piece of pearl of advice. Perhaps because I am married, I did find most of the chapters, "dating", "commitment", "breakups" & "weddings" super speedread-easy and found "marriage" to be the most engaging and thought provoking by A LOT.
The earlier chapters read very much like distilled down Sex and the City episodes. In one story, for example, I was so reminded of a scene where they talk about how some men just have a switch that turns on like a cab's light when they're ready for commitment and the next woman they're with will be their wife. It's all very airy and quick and you never get into any particular couple's story too in-depth.
I enjoyed reading this while in proximity to my husband so I could remark on some of the weirder things in this book. Like suggesting that he try to hold my hand the next time we are arguing and see how that goes (I anticipate not well) as suggested. Or when I was stunned by the statistic that apparently ~15% of people have cheated on their partner, thinking this was high. (He was also surprised, thinking it was LOW?? )
I found myself thinking a lot (maybe because I'm coming off of I am not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter) of my parents' marriage and how much of this did not apply to them. It initially made me sad to think about their lack of conventional Western romance, but may say more about this book aggrandizing only a certain type of union. There's not a lot of cultural diversity here, definitely worth noting.
Overall, this was a light, fast, pleasant read that's a mix between Chicken Soup for the Soul and 100 white women each telling you a 30-second story they think will help you succeed in romance, even if they contradict one another. Would recommend to anyone that appeals to. This book is like a forgettable sweet acquaintance you would describe by saying is "nice" because that's really the most apt and only descriptor. I can almost guarantee I will retain very little of this.
Overall, this book is a series of unrelated short stories, most of which highlight a couple the author had interviewed, highlighting a piece of pearl of advice. Perhaps because I am married, I did find most of the chapters, "dating", "commitment", "breakups" & "weddings" super speedread-easy and found "marriage" to be the most engaging and thought provoking by A LOT.
The earlier chapters read very much like distilled down Sex and the City episodes. In one story, for example, I was so reminded of a scene where they talk about how some men just have a switch that turns on like a cab's light when they're ready for commitment and the next woman they're with will be their wife. It's all very airy and quick and you never get into any particular couple's story too in-depth.
I enjoyed reading this while in proximity to my husband so I could remark on some of the weirder things in this book. Like suggesting that he try to hold my hand the next time we are arguing and see how that goes (I anticipate not well) as suggested. Or when I was stunned by the statistic that apparently ~15% of people have cheated on their partner, thinking this was high. (He was also surprised, thinking it was LOW?? )
I found myself thinking a lot (maybe because I'm coming off of I am not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter) of my parents' marriage and how much of this did not apply to them. It initially made me sad to think about their lack of conventional Western romance, but may say more about this book aggrandizing only a certain type of union. There's not a lot of cultural diversity here, definitely worth noting.
Overall, this was a light, fast, pleasant read that's a mix between Chicken Soup for the Soul and 100 white women each telling you a 30-second story they think will help you succeed in romance, even if they contradict one another. Would recommend to anyone that appeals to. This book is like a forgettable sweet acquaintance you would describe by saying is "nice" because that's really the most apt and only descriptor. I can almost guarantee I will retain very little of this.