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A review by bmedvid
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
3.0
This book was under discussion as a possible choice for our book club this year. We decided against it, but I had heard enough about it that I wanted to read it anyway. After finishing it, I was of two minds about it. So my three stars is more of a neutral rating than an "I liked it" rating.
I did not like the characters or story. I can see why many people stopped or wanted to stop reading this book. Lotto was to self-centered, self-involved, and narcisstic for my taste. His wife, Mathilde, was at best just plain mean, but at worst a psychopath. I kept reading the book hoping for some growth in their characters or redemption. I did not feel that it came.
However, having said that, Lauren Groff did develop the characters and I learned more about each one of them throughout the entire book. I enjoyed the two perspectives of the same marriage. I think that aspect of the book would have made an outstanding discussion for our book club. We also have the best discussions when not everyone likes the book. I definitely think that would have been the case with this book.
So overall, I am sorry our club did not opt for this book as I think it would have been a great discussion. As for reading it alone, I did not like and if I had a do-over, I would not read it.
I did not like the characters or story. I can see why many people stopped or wanted to stop reading this book. Lotto was to self-centered, self-involved, and narcisstic for my taste. His wife, Mathilde, was at best just plain mean, but at worst a psychopath. I kept reading the book hoping for some growth in their characters or redemption. I did not feel that it came.
However, having said that, Lauren Groff did develop the characters and I learned more about each one of them throughout the entire book. I enjoyed the two perspectives of the same marriage. I think that aspect of the book would have made an outstanding discussion for our book club. We also have the best discussions when not everyone likes the book. I definitely think that would have been the case with this book.
So overall, I am sorry our club did not opt for this book as I think it would have been a great discussion. As for reading it alone, I did not like and if I had a do-over, I would not read it.