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A review by bree_of_the_woods
Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I’ve read nearly all of Kristin Hannah’s work, and I have to say this novel is my least favorite to date.
The main characters have been married for 25 years, and now find themselves unhappy, and unconnected.
The wife (nicknamed Birdie) has lost herself, her passions, her hobby, as she spent her life following her husband’s career around the country, and raised their daughters. The husband is obsessed with reestablish of his career (and thus his own worth, in his eyes). This novel kicks off with them deciding to separate, Birdie to follow her own heart and happiness, and Jack to chase a major career opportunity.
I loved following Birdie as she rediscovered herself, regained confidence, and a kick-ass group of friends. She also grieves the loss of her father, uncovers family history and mends a broken relationship with her step-mother.
However, I couldn’t have disliked Jack more, and there were things in the book that never got addressed by the end. (In the spoilers below).
Over all this early KH novel tackles the “mundane”, the simple things in the life a woman, and how she recovers her strength and passions, but lacks the depth of emotion that she has developed in her newer writings, which is of course understandable.
The main characters have been married for 25 years, and now find themselves unhappy, and unconnected.
The wife (nicknamed Birdie) has lost herself, her passions, her hobby, as she spent her life following her husband’s career around the country, and raised their daughters. The husband is obsessed with reestablish of his career (and thus his own worth, in his eyes). This novel kicks off with them deciding to separate, Birdie to follow her own heart and happiness, and Jack to chase a major career opportunity.
I loved following Birdie as she rediscovered herself, regained confidence, and a kick-ass group of friends. She also grieves the loss of her father, uncovers family history and mends a broken relationship with her step-mother.
However, I couldn’t have disliked Jack more, and there were things in the book that never got addressed by the end. (In the spoilers below).
Over all this early KH novel tackles the “mundane”, the simple things in the life a woman, and how she recovers her strength and passions, but lacks the depth of emotion that she has developed in her newer writings, which is of course understandable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
Jack is a poorly engaged father, and has a strained relationship with his two daughters. He doesn’t pay attention or put in effort. There’s a lot of frustration and anger between him and his girls. While he does finally show up to one of his daughters’ swim meets, I still found a certain level of this conflict to be unresolved.
Jack also has an affair while separated from his wife. He never is confronted, confess, or has any level of atonement to do for this. There’s a hint that if exposed he could lose his career, but this never happens.
IMO, Jack is a selfish person, fearing little consequence for his actions (and actually receiving none). He ends up getting to act however he wants; and by the end of the novel everything works out fine… for HIM. He gets away with everything and even Birdie decides she is going to attend graduate school in NY so they can be together (even after admitting she couldn’t be happy there, and loved her West Coast cottage??)
I detested Jack and I wish KH had decided her characters were happy apart (true) and divorced amiably.