jayden_mccomiskie's review against another edition
4.0
A bit slower to begin with, rather than the explosive opening of Pt 1. But it picked up and I thoroughly enjoyed Pt. 2.
rachel_the_managing_editor's review against another edition
3.0
3.46 stars
Look, I'm not saying there aren't good moments here, but they are just that: moments. And sure, there is something inexplicably meditative about the rhythm of his writing (there IS), but I still don't share the unabashed Karl Ove love. And boy, have I tried.
Look, I'm not saying there aren't good moments here, but they are just that: moments. And sure, there is something inexplicably meditative about the rhythm of his writing (there IS), but I still don't share the unabashed Karl Ove love. And boy, have I tried.
bianka42's review against another edition
3.0
This man is a neoliberal nightmare! He worships individualism in what he sees as a socialized reality. He is deeply unhappy and yet cannot see his own alienation as the root cause. I am worried about Karl Öve. And also angry with him. Anyway, this book was an honest and angsty and frustrating exploration of modern parenthood and marriage.
anabanan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brannonkrkhuang's review against another edition
5.0
This book is brutally honest. There are times I hate Karl Ove. There are other times when I really dislike him. But the writing is so captivating I can't stop. I expect I'll read every single book in the series like this. What I loved most about this book is his stories about his kids, about raising them, and the struggles that come with raising children. I think this book is a good cautionary tale for pre-parents. I respect the book for its excellent writing and the author's honesty, his total willingness to show himself in all his bad glory. We often try to bury the bad things in our lives and sugarcoat who we are. You don't get that here. You get everything. You get all the mess and agony and self-inflicted torture of life.
lauracotterill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
theramblingreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sadiesargar's review against another edition
4.0
There is an aside in this book that goes on for 152 pages, and that is punctured by several further asides, and the moment that they all come back together and the narrative snaps back into the present is so moving that I had to put the book down and stare into the middle distance.