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challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We read this for book club, and I liked it — such a great premise. A mom goes to register her baby’s name, and there are three names to select from. The book follows what happens after she selects each name given her husband’s response. More thoughts with a spoiler alert:I will admit — the book too a different direction than I thought that it would. I thought that it would focus more on Cora and her decision, so I was a bit surprised when it was more focused on the kids — that made sense with the Julian path.
I was worried that you would get lost with the different storylines, but I didn’t have that issue (most of the time), and one thing that helped was how the author wove in some storylines from one into another — noting about the Paris attack in the Gordon story when it was a bigger event in the Julian one.
It was so thought-provoking— such as neither pathway was the best solution. Bear: better for most of the family, but Bear dies early; Julian: Cora’s murder has a dramatic impact on the kids, but life improves later; Gordon: eventually comes around and puts older Gordon in his place.
I did not get the epilogue. It’ll be a good decision for book club — as I’m confused.
In my mind, the book is sad overall when you think too many people (mainly women) are faced with these dilemmas — and it’s hard to find hope with this book (in my eyes). There is tragedy with each storyline and I was hoping Senior Gordon would pay more.
However, it was still well-written and had my attention the whole time - so worthy of a 3.75.
I was worried that you would get lost with the different storylines, but I didn’t have that issue (most of the time), and one thing that helped was how the author wove in some storylines from one into another — noting about the Paris attack in the Gordon story when it was a bigger event in the Julian one.
It was so thought-provoking— such as neither pathway was the best solution. Bear: better for most of the family, but Bear dies early; Julian: Cora’s murder has a dramatic impact on the kids, but life improves later; Gordon: eventually comes around and puts older Gordon in his place.
I did not get the epilogue. It’ll be a good decision for book club — as I’m confused.
In my mind, the book is sad overall when you think too many people (mainly women) are faced with these dilemmas — and it’s hard to find hope with this book (in my eyes). There is tragedy with each storyline and I was hoping Senior Gordon would pay more.
However, it was still well-written and had my attention the whole time - so worthy of a 3.75.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol