melissakuzma's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I really loved this book! I can't believe it's been sitting unread on my bookshelf for 5 years. It's just such a compelling story, I was constantly thinking about it and dying to get back to reading it.
lfordham9's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
glendaleereads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this novel and the way the stories were set up. All three Mrs. Kimble's were good woman who fell in love with a crappy man. Even though this was a story that focused more on the wives I would have really liked to see a chapter or more from Ken's perspective because we are left without really understanding him completely because the wives didn't really know who he was. But overall this was a great story and I think its safe to say I call this a favorite.
kbratten's review against another edition
5.0
I flew through this book. All of the characters, even the minor ones, feel so fleshed out and real. I found myself wanting to know more about the secondary characters and backstories (Birdie and Curtis especially). Though there isn't a ton of plot, the story moves along easily and realistically.
chrystinielsen's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ernby's review against another edition
4.0
This book follows the three Mrs. Kimbles--all of whom were married to Ken Kimble at some point or another. It moves chronologically from his first wife to his third, revealing more layers of the mysterious and not-so-great of a guy, Ken.
This is the second book I've read by Haigh and I enjoy her style. It's simple, but not too simple, and appropriately descriptive. I liked the way she melded the characters together, across time and space. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by Haigh.
This is the second book I've read by Haigh and I enjoy her style. It's simple, but not too simple, and appropriately descriptive. I liked the way she melded the characters together, across time and space. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by Haigh.
courtneynreed's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a speedy read, very enjoyable and quick to progress. I always wanted to be moving forward through the story and the plot never lagged or felt stagnant.
However, I just couldn't get myself to feel totally okay about the characters. I really enjoyed the way that the plot developed and ended, but what was it about Kimble that these women violent resist? Charlie himself and this question during the course of the plot. Kimble seems to have no redeeming qualities at all. He is a deceitful, corrupt, and unfaithful man. But why? We are given no idea of his back story. Surely something must have happened in his childhood to create such a horrible and manipulative person. And how are all of his wives so charmed by him, despite the fact that he seems to be 100% corrupt and has no positive personality traits.
While I did really enjoy the book, I found myself moving through it just really hating Kimble and pitying all of the people he hurt. But why? What the hell was wrong with this guy? Some questions I suppose are not meant to be answered, but I feel like the plot would have made much more sense that way.
Otherwise, a great story and very enjoyable.
However, I just couldn't get myself to feel totally okay about the characters. I really enjoyed the way that the plot developed and ended, but what was it about Kimble that these women violent resist? Charlie himself and this question during the course of the plot. Kimble seems to have no redeeming qualities at all. He is a deceitful, corrupt, and unfaithful man. But why? We are given no idea of his back story. Surely something must have happened in his childhood to create such a horrible and manipulative person. And how are all of his wives so charmed by him, despite the fact that he seems to be 100% corrupt and has no positive personality traits.
While I did really enjoy the book, I found myself moving through it just really hating Kimble and pitying all of the people he hurt. But why? What the hell was wrong with this guy? Some questions I suppose are not meant to be answered, but I feel like the plot would have made much more sense that way.
Otherwise, a great story and very enjoyable.
mazza57's review against another edition
2.0
an easy read, i hated ken kimbles character and wanted to scream at the women who loved him, one can only ask why
kkop12's review against another edition
3.0
So I am going back and forth between giving it a 3 or a 4. Went with the three but I think it's really a 3 1/2. I liked the author's idea of introducing this fascinating character through three different person's retelling of 3 different times in this guy's life. I WISH there had even been a TINY chapter where the main character was able to SPEAK. I had so many questions about what he was doing, who he was, his rationale in situations that only HE could answer. I loved the three women that told their stories. I was sympathetic to them but in the end did not pity them because they actually were not fooled by anything about this guy (well maybe Birdie). But the all showed how you can make peace with yourself even if you are dissapointed in someone that you call your 'husband'.