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lindsayhotrod's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
danielle67's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this memoir. Marriage is hard and Harrington was able to write in such a understandable and humorous way. I found the "common enemy" portion of this very relatable. I think anyone could find benefit in reading this.
morgs777's review
3.0
Alright, friends, let’s buckle up on this review.
I would give it 3.5 if I could.
I loved the essays. It covered a lot of ground in a very easy to digest way.
The author grapples with her own unlikeableness, not in a way that I think she’s unlikeable, but in a very relatable way. She doesn’t approach this as holier than thou. It’s almost clinical. It adds to the work.
The writing is good. I love McSweeney’s.
I guess, though, I have questions…
She seems to live a really idyllic life in Vermont with a husband who seems to really love her.
I understand children are hard and ambitions are hard to navigate and being in the driver’s seat with a man can really suck, truly.
But as someone who has had her heart walked out on, stomped on, and stabbed, the gentle way he refurbished their house, stayed with her, fucked her two years after their separation, and agreed to all of her terms? Just hard for me to say “walk away from this.”
For both of them. She’s had a big safety net that most of us couldn’t dream of (that she also created and deserved, I’m not trying to pile on).
We do deserve happiness. We do deserve promise. We do deserve passion. I think she does a great job of making us all sit with that.
I just think it’s kind of easier to do when you still have familiar support.
Important book. Recommend. Well-written. My opinion could be wrong. A gorgeous book, too. I laughed. I cried. It’s good!
I would give it 3.5 if I could.
I loved the essays. It covered a lot of ground in a very easy to digest way.
The author grapples with her own unlikeableness, not in a way that I think she’s unlikeable, but in a very relatable way. She doesn’t approach this as holier than thou. It’s almost clinical. It adds to the work.
The writing is good. I love McSweeney’s.
I guess, though, I have questions…
She seems to live a really idyllic life in Vermont with a husband who seems to really love her.
I understand children are hard and ambitions are hard to navigate and being in the driver’s seat with a man can really suck, truly.
But as someone who has had her heart walked out on, stomped on, and stabbed, the gentle way he refurbished their house, stayed with her, fucked her two years after their separation, and agreed to all of her terms? Just hard for me to say “walk away from this.”
For both of them. She’s had a big safety net that most of us couldn’t dream of (that she also created and deserved, I’m not trying to pile on).
We do deserve happiness. We do deserve promise. We do deserve passion. I think she does a great job of making us all sit with that.
I just think it’s kind of easier to do when you still have familiar support.
Important book. Recommend. Well-written. My opinion could be wrong. A gorgeous book, too. I laughed. I cried. It’s good!
christenebs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
milliebot_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
As someone who's divorced (no kids though) and who's a woman, I can relate to a lot of what Kimberly reveals about her own marriage and divorce. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel. Frustrated, confused, hopeful, grateful, baffled. I do heartily agree that divorce is not simply bad or a moral failing as so many people seem to think (or maybe pretend to think). Hopefully attitudes surrounding those who choose to divorce will continue to change. Sometimes it's simply the end of a relationship. Maybe also views on marriage should change too. I don't know, lots to think about!
summer_reads1's review
5.0
But You Seemed So Happy is a memoir in the form of essays about every aspect of marriage and divorce. After Kimberly and her husband decide to get a divorce they make the decision to live in the same home together but as single people. Kimberly Harrington reflects on how the couple lived together but separately, and how they raised their children together as a united family.
I am a seasoned veteran when it comes to long-term relationships. I've been with the same person the majority of my life (married for 16 years) and even though we are still together, I still found this book very relatable. I feel like this book would be relatable to anyone that's ever been in a long-term relationship(married or not).
But You Seemed So Happy is one of the most honest nonfiction books about relationships that I've ever read. Not only does this book uncover the raw truths of marriage/relationships but it is absolutely hilarious! Filled with dark satire, I found myself laughing out loud at several points.
I loved reading about Kimberly and her family's journey. I enjoyed reading how they made something positive out of a negative situation. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a nonfiction story that's highly relateable(no matter what season your relationship is in). I look forward to reading anything that Kimberly Harrington writes in the future.
A massive thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy!
I am a seasoned veteran when it comes to long-term relationships. I've been with the same person the majority of my life (married for 16 years) and even though we are still together, I still found this book very relatable. I feel like this book would be relatable to anyone that's ever been in a long-term relationship(married or not).
But You Seemed So Happy is one of the most honest nonfiction books about relationships that I've ever read. Not only does this book uncover the raw truths of marriage/relationships but it is absolutely hilarious! Filled with dark satire, I found myself laughing out loud at several points.
I loved reading about Kimberly and her family's journey. I enjoyed reading how they made something positive out of a negative situation. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a nonfiction story that's highly relateable(no matter what season your relationship is in). I look forward to reading anything that Kimberly Harrington writes in the future.
A massive thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy!