megancrews's review against another edition
4.0
Uhhhhhg, I loved this book. It is my favorite by Tessa Hadley yet!
Generally, a book about the relationships between two couples and their adultish kids wouldn’t be one of my favorites, but her writing is just that good.
Her characters are complex, never totally like-able, but so real they fade into your memory like people you knew instead of fictional creations.
Her writing style is quietly impressive. She captures everyday life with precision and insight. She can describe a character doing an everyday activity, and at once I recognize myself, except she has unearthed all the thoughts and emotions I never really paused to identify. I walk away from her books feeling like I understand humanity and myself better.
In this book the story jumps between the past and present, and it works perfectly. As a reader, I felt like I found exactly what I needed to find out precisely when I needed to know it.
Generally, a book about the relationships between two couples and their adultish kids wouldn’t be one of my favorites, but her writing is just that good.
Her characters are complex, never totally like-able, but so real they fade into your memory like people you knew instead of fictional creations.
Her writing style is quietly impressive. She captures everyday life with precision and insight. She can describe a character doing an everyday activity, and at once I recognize myself, except she has unearthed all the thoughts and emotions I never really paused to identify. I walk away from her books feeling like I understand humanity and myself better.
In this book the story jumps between the past and present, and it works perfectly. As a reader, I felt like I found exactly what I needed to find out precisely when I needed to know it.
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
2.0
Considering the dramatic potential of this (two entangled couples and one person dies) and the competent writing, this should have wowed me, but it was just okay. I didn't feel close to any of the characters and I didn't like anyone and I kept wondering why I was supposed to care about their drama.
kookikrissie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
rvlgonzalez's review against another edition
3.0
There is a class commentary in this book, but I'm not 100% sure what it is. There's also a lot of people behaving irrationally and dispassionately. I didn't dislike it, really, it was interesting enough and all. It just would have been better if the characters had more dynamic relationships to relationships.
greyemk's review against another edition
Don’t have a whole lot to say about this one, even though I liked it!
A bit slow paced for audio book. Found myself not super interested in the material drama but very interested in the themes of making art, being an adult interested in art, and how one’s self is reflected differently by different people. How a group relationship emphasizes different aspects than each individual relationship and how each person fits.
A bit slow paced for audio book. Found myself not super interested in the material drama but very interested in the themes of making art, being an adult interested in art, and how one’s self is reflected differently by different people. How a group relationship emphasizes different aspects than each individual relationship and how each person fits.
laurene99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
caoilinreads's review against another edition
4.0
A stunning portrayal of the lives of three friends shaken by the loss of their fourth member. Tessa Hadley's writing is so insightful and creates the substance of this novel as she elucidates how dynamic between these remaining friends (and those that surround them) shift following their shared loss. She transports us back in forth in time to elucidate their past and the Shakespearean (reminiscent of A Midsummer Night's Dream) love triangle (or square? maybe) in their 20s which that preceded their married lives. Overall, a beautiful novel worth adding to your reading list.
charlllottteb's review against another edition
emotional
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
juwel's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5