ratgrrrl's review
5.0
Heartrending and Heartwarming
CW: Covid (Referenced in passing), Divorce
I am not sure what to say about this short story other than the fact I really enjoyed it. I have struggled with works that reference Covid as my partner and I are in the at risk category due to our chronic conditions and essentially forced to continue the lockdown life forever (The phenomenal Louise Erdrich's The Sentence was a gut punch, but incredible nonetheless), and I have had mixed experiences with epistolaries, but this was genuinely brilliant. The Covid of it all, while strangely a lynch pin of the narrative, is only referenced in passing and is more about the Zoom era than anything else, and the epistolaries being documents and emails regarding the divorce proceedings are handled really well -- short and punchy, filled with personality and driving the story.
This is a story about compatibility, needs, and communication, as well as the expected course of events. Witnessing the potential break up of two decent people (as decent as someone in real estate and wealthy enough to have employees shelter in place with them can be) who have no animosity towards each other is somehow equally, if not more, emotional than if there was mutual hatred or a one-sided feeling. There's something devastating about the niceness of it all.
I've seen some reviews talk about the ending being abrupt or not wrapped up, which it somewhat is...but that is entirely purposeful. Short stories often end suddenly and/ or with an ambiguity that is the point, which is very much the case of this one. We are left with things changing and an uncertain potential. That's great. There are some short stories on here that I do think end without purpose or effectiveness, but this isn't among them.
There has definitely been some variance in quality and some I haven't enjoyed, but I'm genuinely blown away by just how great and varied so many of the Audible Original stories included in the library have been. Will definitely be reading more of the author.
CW: Covid (Referenced in passing), Divorce
I am not sure what to say about this short story other than the fact I really enjoyed it. I have struggled with works that reference Covid as my partner and I are in the at risk category due to our chronic conditions and essentially forced to continue the lockdown life forever (The phenomenal Louise Erdrich's The Sentence was a gut punch, but incredible nonetheless), and I have had mixed experiences with epistolaries, but this was genuinely brilliant. The Covid of it all, while strangely a lynch pin of the narrative, is only referenced in passing and is more about the Zoom era than anything else, and the epistolaries being documents and emails regarding the divorce proceedings are handled really well -- short and punchy, filled with personality and driving the story.
This is a story about compatibility, needs, and communication, as well as the expected course of events. Witnessing the potential break up of two decent people (as decent as someone in real estate and wealthy enough to have employees shelter in place with them can be) who have no animosity towards each other is somehow equally, if not more, emotional than if there was mutual hatred or a one-sided feeling. There's something devastating about the niceness of it all.
I've seen some reviews talk about the ending being abrupt or not wrapped up, which it somewhat is...but that is entirely purposeful. Short stories often end suddenly and/ or with an ambiguity that is the point, which is very much the case of this one. We are left with things changing and an uncertain potential. That's great. There are some short stories on here that I do think end without purpose or effectiveness, but this isn't among them.
There has definitely been some variance in quality and some I haven't enjoyed, but I'm genuinely blown away by just how great and varied so many of the Audible Original stories included in the library have been. Will definitely be reading more of the author.
rphalange's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it was okay and I finally understand wtf people mean when they say "a COVID novel"
a_ab's review
4.0
This is a light and easy read. I like epistolary and journaling formats, like this one and I greatly enjoyed the unique writing styles of each character here.
badpunsanduwu's review against another edition
3.5
I like the use of legal proceedings for the narration and the final take away but overall it was just ok
aliciakindlereads's review
5.0
Cute story about a couple who is thinking about divorce during COVID-19.
underoceanblvd's review
1.0
Book one of the Ariana Readathon! This book wasn’t sad, just dry and boring.
ksangabriel15's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Short quick listen. Good, but ends kind of on a cliffhanger, although I guess the “end” is implied.
Short quick listen. Good, but ends kind of on a cliffhanger, although I guess the “end” is implied.
shaerikireads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jasminenoack's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t know exactly when I listened to this book and I don’t intend to review all the books I read in all the time I wasn’t signing in here. Mostly because that’s too much work.
But as this is an audible original and likely not super on people’s radars I thought I should tell you it’s great.
It’s an interesting look at divorce and why we do it. And how quarantine maybe changes everything. Maybe slowing down helps us see what we really care about.
But as this is an audible original and likely not super on people’s radars I thought I should tell you it’s great.
It’s an interesting look at divorce and why we do it. And how quarantine maybe changes everything. Maybe slowing down helps us see what we really care about.