brittanydavis's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
irenealgi's review
4.0
This a solid novel; a solid four stars. I really enjoyed it, genuinely looked forward to learning more about David, a very well-written character, flawed and tender, his late wife Mary Rose, and their marriage. The pace is slow, the writing is understated and the scenery well set, with realistic descriptions of Costa Brava that reminded me of the summers I spent there as a child and teenager. And it's just very well done; the exploration of grief is fantastic, but to me this is a novel about a middle-aged man who is slowly coming to terms with who he is and the small yet hurtful mistakes he made in his marriage, mostly because of the way in which he was raised. There is clear character growth by the end of the novel, which is heart-warming and reassuring.
Trigger warning (with spoiler) below
Trigger warning to those triggered by themes of terrorist attacks, plan crashes, infertility and miscarriage.
Trigger warning (with spoiler) below
Trigger warning to those triggered by themes of terrorist attacks, plan crashes, infertility and miscarriage.
mmq's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A slow and deeply introspective read but well worth it. David Dowling is in mourning after the death of his wife Mary Rose. He reflects on their marriage and the type of husband he was. One aspect of the book I liked was David's gratitude for the women in his life and their impact; from his late wife to his best friend to his Mother, who showed him kindness while clearly suffering through an unhappy marriage. Books that deal with bereavement are important but this is also a story about an emotionally stifled man, unfolding his regrets one by one and being a better person.
chaoticmissadventures's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a book for people who like slower, character driven read.
The story starts with the very unlikable David, and I wasn't sure I was going to like the book much. But slowly we learn more and more about his marriage, and about Mary Rose, also about the other women in his life. This is a character study. I was comparing it to Backman's The Story of Ove this grumpy man who has a wonderful wife, and who is analyzing life. Like Ove by the end of this I was a puddle with may used tissues. I can see why this was short listed for the Women's Prize, it is well written and deep in meaning.
hannahrose_cox's review
4.0
~ buddy read with Sarah and Charlie for 2021 Women's Prize Nominees
Review to come...
Review to come...
wendoxford's review
4.0
Life slips through the fingers of David. A life that has been defined by his cold upbringing and inflated by finding his true love.
It is a bittersweet insight into how well we know each other, learned behaviour, looking at life with hindsight and how how short life is. A story of life, love and loss. It is beautifully written with a delicate touch that belies the considered prose. It is a book about a marriage told backwards. Its troubling end causing David to unravel his perspective and his attitudes to life.
I found it fascinating for a female writer to insert herself into a man's head, grief and memory. This is not the easiest of reads with its introspective riff but it is thoughtful, fluid and tender.
It is a bittersweet insight into how well we know each other, learned behaviour, looking at life with hindsight and how how short life is. A story of life, love and loss. It is beautifully written with a delicate touch that belies the considered prose. It is a book about a marriage told backwards. Its troubling end causing David to unravel his perspective and his attitudes to life.
I found it fascinating for a female writer to insert herself into a man's head, grief and memory. This is not the easiest of reads with its introspective riff but it is thoughtful, fluid and tender.
irwine's review
4.0
BEAUTIFUL and it hurts as things start to unravel but you can't help but love this relationship and hurt for David, however the ending made me feel the ick just a little and that's why it is 4 and not 5 stars - glad i picked up this up in Dublin
clmckinney's review against another edition
5.0
This is about a man's grief after losing his wife. This book floored me. I wasn't expecting to like this book so much. I would say wonderful but the subject matter is morose. I have read many a novel about a taciturn man, and they never seem to capture real people for me. I find most of Anne Tyler's novels are like that. This one shows a couple who are complete opposites. It is a novel about surviving trauma. I teared up a few times. It is entirely possible that I liked this novel so much because it is from an Irish author. I love Irish lit. Regardless, I absolutely love this book. It gets a 5/5.
bgg616's review
5.0
This novel was one of two by Irish writers on the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction longlist. Although one of my favorite book bloggers gave it a rather blah review, I ordered it.
I loved this book. It is the story of a man in his early 50's whose wife of 20-some years suddenly dies. It is an exploration of grief, and his summing up of each of their lives. David is a journalist, working as a correspondent for a major Irish news outlet. His wife Mary Rose was a neonatal nurse. They never had children. Their annual vacation spot was a small sea village in Costa Brava, Spain, that fortunately has escaped the plague of retirees from England and Ireland who seem to have overtaken much of the area. The second summer after Mary Rose's death, he returns to their Spanish vacation spot. He develops a friendship (non romantic) with another long time visitor, and they bond in their grief over losses.
This is probably not a novel of anyone who has experienced recent loss, but it might be. It is a novel of deep reflection on the meaning of a life, as well as relationships.
November 2021
I intended to skim this book for my book club discussion. But I found each page or two contained such gems that I had to reread the book. It was as good, if not better the second time.
I loved this book. It is the story of a man in his early 50's whose wife of 20-some years suddenly dies. It is an exploration of grief, and his summing up of each of their lives. David is a journalist, working as a correspondent for a major Irish news outlet. His wife Mary Rose was a neonatal nurse. They never had children. Their annual vacation spot was a small sea village in Costa Brava, Spain, that fortunately has escaped the plague of retirees from England and Ireland who seem to have overtaken much of the area. The second summer after Mary Rose's death, he returns to their Spanish vacation spot. He develops a friendship (non romantic) with another long time visitor, and they bond in their grief over losses.
This is probably not a novel of anyone who has experienced recent loss, but it might be. It is a novel of deep reflection on the meaning of a life, as well as relationships.
November 2021
I intended to skim this book for my book club discussion. But I found each page or two contained such gems that I had to reread the book. It was as good, if not better the second time.
eggiereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75