rhinaissance's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I was assuming the reviews that indicated the author seemed miserable in her marriage were people who couldn't take a joke. Well, maybe I too can't take a joke, or maybe Heather is truly cantankerous.
There were certain moments I resonated with, but mostly I felt for her husband and children as she describes all the ways she is annoyed by them and doesn't necessarily want them.
Not for me, I guess.
There were certain moments I resonated with, but mostly I felt for her husband and children as she describes all the ways she is annoyed by them and doesn't necessarily want them.
Not for me, I guess.
gromeranna's review
5.0
“Marriage can’t always be about living your best lives in sync. Because some of the peak moments of a marriage are when you share in your insecurities, your anxieties, your fears, and your longing.”
― Heather Havrilesky, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage
There are surprisingly a lot of reviews bashing the author for her candor as she explores HER marriage. This book at its very core is a memoir. She never claims to be an expert and leads with honesty and humor. My husband and I have been married for almost eight months but I can still see every ounce of humor in this book and found myself loving every word.
If you don't get it, you are in denial of what marriage looks like. You don't have to have been married for decades to get it.
Marriage is hard, it's messy, but it's also full of laughter and love.
― Heather Havrilesky, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage
There are surprisingly a lot of reviews bashing the author for her candor as she explores HER marriage. This book at its very core is a memoir. She never claims to be an expert and leads with honesty and humor. My husband and I have been married for almost eight months but I can still see every ounce of humor in this book and found myself loving every word.
If you don't get it, you are in denial of what marriage looks like. You don't have to have been married for decades to get it.
Marriage is hard, it's messy, but it's also full of laughter and love.
colorfulyd's review
3.0
Picked this book up from the library because I am a fan of the author’s Ask Polly column. I was invested purely out of curiosity and appreciation for the author’s words and outlook on life. I really like how she writes like a stream of consciousness and says aloud many things most people are scared to admit let alone write or say out loud. Her writing styles is to me how one would write if they incorporated every one of their intrusive thoughts into their journal, haha, and for that I appreciate the writing. I also liked that this was a story about her journey with love, marriage, and family - it helped me glance into an older adults life where being a mother was not central to every single aspect of her life (awesome). Book-wise, it’s a memoir that feels a bit scattered. No consistent plot or thread. Each chapter was kind of like a random life short story and it’s unclear what one can take away from each chapter. I had a hard time keeping focused and invested in that way - like what am I getting out of this? Ultimately I think I was glad I read it mostly because it informs me of the author’s work and life beyond Ask Polly. Like her newsletters though, I do walk away from the book feeling a sense of calmness that yes we can get through all things life throws our way (like the way the author does).
nukie19's review
4.0
I seriously laughed out loud and also had to read multiple quotes to my husband as I was reading this. A refreshing take on marriage that finally makes more sense than all the mushy ones or all the super negative ones too. While the last two chapters started to lose my interest, I enjoyed the read about the reality of living with another person the rest of your life and how they can annoy you every day but still be the person you want to be with when you wake up the next morning.
kaceyconn13's review
5.0
Wow, what a great memoir and commentary on marriage. I found it insightful, honest and heart wrenching. I've heard and read some criticism on Heather's take on her marriage, and I get it. Not everyone has a snarky relationship or can talk about having crushes on others during the course of their marriage. But she paints a portrait of what it's like to be in a long term committed relationship, surviving the ups and downs and the flaws of each other, but still fiercely loving the other person in the end and not being able to live without them.
puzzlebound's review against another edition
3.0
Almost abandoned the book after the first hour but glad I stuck with it. The sections around pregnancy and childbirth really resonated with our experience. Other parts less so.
kellydarla's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0