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christel_k's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
falgelednl's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting book where the story is told in a series of transcripts from tapes created by the wife before she died. They see the husband through the seven months after her death.
There were certainly times I didn’t like the wife but then, there were a few times I disliked the husband too. I guess that means I connected with the characters.
It was an interesting way to tell s story and certainly makes you think about all the things you don’t say - especially to those you are closest to.
There were certainly times I didn’t like the wife but then, there were a few times I disliked the husband too. I guess that means I connected with the characters.
It was an interesting way to tell s story and certainly makes you think about all the things you don’t say - especially to those you are closest to.
frombethanysbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Sean’s wife died, and now he is and his daughter April don’t know that to do.
Until just after the funeral, a box appears. Photographs, and a dictaphone.. and suddenly Catherine is talking to him from beyond the grave. She’s recorded him messages, along with snapshots of their lives together, to try and be with him through the hardest time of his life.
Although this type of story seems kind of played out by now, it still managed to maintain its own style and made for a nice, bittersweet read.
Until just after the funeral, a box appears. Photographs, and a dictaphone.. and suddenly Catherine is talking to him from beyond the grave. She’s recorded him messages, along with snapshots of their lives together, to try and be with him through the hardest time of his life.
Although this type of story seems kind of played out by now, it still managed to maintain its own style and made for a nice, bittersweet read.
indydriven's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It is being published in paperback in September, 2018.
This book begins at the funeral of Catherine Campbell, wife to Sean and mother to April. Sean and Catherine are both in their early 50’s, living in Cambridge, when Catherine is diagnosed with cancer. Their daughter, April, is in her 30’s and is living in London. Catherine’s decline is rapid and two years after diagnosis she has passed away.
Shortly after the funeral, a mutual friend, Maggie, drops by Sean’s house to give him a package that Catherine had asked her to pass on to him after her death. Inside the package are 29 cassette tapes with corresponding photographs. Catherine provides a photograph and then on each cassette, talks about what was happening in the picture; what was happening in their lives at the time and/or going through their heads during the time the picture was taken. For example, one of the pictures is of a vacation that they took and Catherine talks about the fun they had on the vacation and other funny things that occurred while they were there.
Things We Never Said is reminiscent of another book “P.S. I Love You” by Cecelia Ahern, except that it is with audio cassettes rather than letters and the couple in this book are mature adults rather than the young couple in Ahern’s book. I think I like the idea of cassettes better simply because you would get to hear the person’s voice again.
I really enjoyed reading a book where the main characters are around the same age as me because although I have never been married, there were a lot of things that I could relate to having lived over five decades.
I found this to be a very enjoyable book. Yes, there was a lot of reminiscing of this couple over their past vacations, raising their child, etc. but there was also hurts identified and secrets revealed.
While Sean is devastated at the death of Catherine, we also get a chance to see him start healing and beginning to live again.
This book begins at the funeral of Catherine Campbell, wife to Sean and mother to April. Sean and Catherine are both in their early 50’s, living in Cambridge, when Catherine is diagnosed with cancer. Their daughter, April, is in her 30’s and is living in London. Catherine’s decline is rapid and two years after diagnosis she has passed away.
Shortly after the funeral, a mutual friend, Maggie, drops by Sean’s house to give him a package that Catherine had asked her to pass on to him after her death. Inside the package are 29 cassette tapes with corresponding photographs. Catherine provides a photograph and then on each cassette, talks about what was happening in the picture; what was happening in their lives at the time and/or going through their heads during the time the picture was taken. For example, one of the pictures is of a vacation that they took and Catherine talks about the fun they had on the vacation and other funny things that occurred while they were there.
Things We Never Said is reminiscent of another book “P.S. I Love You” by Cecelia Ahern, except that it is with audio cassettes rather than letters and the couple in this book are mature adults rather than the young couple in Ahern’s book. I think I like the idea of cassettes better simply because you would get to hear the person’s voice again.
I really enjoyed reading a book where the main characters are around the same age as me because although I have never been married, there were a lot of things that I could relate to having lived over five decades.
I found this to be a very enjoyable book. Yes, there was a lot of reminiscing of this couple over their past vacations, raising their child, etc. but there was also hurts identified and secrets revealed.
While Sean is devastated at the death of Catherine, we also get a chance to see him start healing and beginning to live again.
emmasbates98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cricketlou's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book. The concept behind the book was a great one and the opening scene had me with tears in my eyes. But in the end, there were times I just felt blah about the book. It did evoke emotion from me...anger mostly at the selfishness of Catherine...so I guess in that regard the book was good. But I just felt it was lacking “something”.
searlait_carolinehoey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sare1991's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was expecting some sort of twist in the story but there really wasn’t. Basic storyline and no real exciting ended
sophiemclean's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0