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jnelsontwo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachaelbuchan's review
5.0
“This tranquil landscape apparently heaves with unrest. There is more here than meets the eye.”
This sentence could just as easily describe the domestic lives of our characters as it does the seemingly tranquil English countryside in Lively’s study of marriage, fidelity, motherhood and memory. Set during an uncharacteristically oppressive summer, the plot follows Pauline as her son-in-law’s affair forces her into a reconsideration of her own past.
There were some beautiful themes here that were teased out masterfully- that the present can wash over the familiar and feel immediately brand new, how distance does not mitigate pain but only changes how we feel it. We forget the summer as soon as the autumn chill creeps in, only to recognize its familiarity as soon as the days grow longer. Heat Wave is about these cyclical patterns of familiarity, how the past and present are inextricably wrapped together and forever imbuing each other with new meaning.
This is my first Lively but it definitely won’t be my last. This book was glorious. The events are set in stone from the beginning – and even the shock in the last few pages does not come out of nowhere – but the story never drags itself along to an inevitable conclusion. Instead Lively gives almost unbearably honest insight into the relationship between mother and daughter, husband and wife, and the past and present self. A really, really good read.
This sentence could just as easily describe the domestic lives of our characters as it does the seemingly tranquil English countryside in Lively’s study of marriage, fidelity, motherhood and memory. Set during an uncharacteristically oppressive summer, the plot follows Pauline as her son-in-law’s affair forces her into a reconsideration of her own past.
There were some beautiful themes here that were teased out masterfully- that the present can wash over the familiar and feel immediately brand new, how distance does not mitigate pain but only changes how we feel it. We forget the summer as soon as the autumn chill creeps in, only to recognize its familiarity as soon as the days grow longer. Heat Wave is about these cyclical patterns of familiarity, how the past and present are inextricably wrapped together and forever imbuing each other with new meaning.
This is my first Lively but it definitely won’t be my last. This book was glorious. The events are set in stone from the beginning – and even the shock in the last few pages does not come out of nowhere – but the story never drags itself along to an inevitable conclusion. Instead Lively gives almost unbearably honest insight into the relationship between mother and daughter, husband and wife, and the past and present self. A really, really good read.
waveszz's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
anoirtac's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nana2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
hillersg7's review against another edition
4.0
Have to admit I bought this book because I love the artwork on the cover! Was drawn into the story and writing - powerful and atmospheric.
wendoxford's review against another edition
4.0
Ostensibly this novel tracks parallel lives of mother and daughter, as they live, side by side, in their rural cottages during a summer heatwave.
The joy of Lively's writing for me is how seamlessly she melds memory and the past with the present, and this is a present tense narrative. We reside in Pauline, the mum, witnessing Teresa's (her daughter's) sticky marriage. She is considered about how interfering she should be, whilst we experience her inner maternal rage building as the oppressive heat rises.
Aside from the fabulous characterisation - the weather and rural setting also play their part and are cleverly folded through the narrative. All is calm and green and lovely to begin with, but as the sun starts to scorch the land, tensions and emotional pain real and vicarious scorch the storyline. Baby Luke grounds the women by his very toddler presence, oblivious to the emotional storm crashing around him.
Another gem by Lively who crafts each short novel as a magnum opus.
The joy of Lively's writing for me is how seamlessly she melds memory and the past with the present, and this is a present tense narrative. We reside in Pauline, the mum, witnessing Teresa's (her daughter's) sticky marriage. She is considered about how interfering she should be, whilst we experience her inner maternal rage building as the oppressive heat rises.
Aside from the fabulous characterisation - the weather and rural setting also play their part and are cleverly folded through the narrative. All is calm and green and lovely to begin with, but as the sun starts to scorch the land, tensions and emotional pain real and vicarious scorch the storyline. Baby Luke grounds the women by his very toddler presence, oblivious to the emotional storm crashing around him.
Another gem by Lively who crafts each short novel as a magnum opus.
velveteencactus's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Wonderful read, points off for the ending though. It was foreshadowed but I found the actual moment itself a bit silly.
jessicah95's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Ironically felt somewhat lukewarm towards this one at first. I think this is definitely a book intended to be read during the course of one hot day, rather than in fits and starts as I approached it. After the initial perseverance needed, I was soon aptly rapt by the stifling simmering tension and depth of emotion portrayed by the characters. A worthy way to spend a summers day.
sarahkjs's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0