michellekmartin's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Levy’s writing but I was not expecting this story going in. I agree with what others have said, it feels quite disjointed at points and I felt - especially at the end - that she was jumping around in timelines and presenting odd facts and stories about people in her life at odd times.
That being said, I cannot even begin to imagine the immense grief and pain she felt after going through such a thing. Her point is that women cannot have it all, and that’s a pretty scary thought to have. Her memoir made me nervous about motherhood - the fact that you’re not guaranteed it, that it can be taken away in an instant, and that you may outgrow it.
That being said, I cannot even begin to imagine the immense grief and pain she felt after going through such a thing. Her point is that women cannot have it all, and that’s a pretty scary thought to have. Her memoir made me nervous about motherhood - the fact that you’re not guaranteed it, that it can be taken away in an instant, and that you may outgrow it.
joyasantarelli77's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely LOVED !
Levy told her story with such truth, grit and candidness. One of my favorite memoirs to date. Can’t wait to pass this one around to my fellow book lovers!
Levy told her story with such truth, grit and candidness. One of my favorite memoirs to date. Can’t wait to pass this one around to my fellow book lovers!
smrushford's review against another edition
5.0
Raw, honest, and a heartbreaking read throughout. Such a good book, I highly recommend.
maureenmcc's review against another edition
3.0
Ariel Levy is a darned good writer. She's also arrogant, entitled, tenacious and brutally honest. An engaging exploration of grief and resilience.
sxtwo's review against another edition
4.0
Three things:
1. I love Levy's expansive vocabulary - it is impressive without being pretentious.
2. The first 2/3rds of this was really good, but the last 1/3 fell flat for me. I think Levy has another book in her (at least) delving into the pitfalls of the "anything goes/follow your passion" mentality that our generation has been steeped in growing up. Certainly, much freedom has come from that, but there are some potential downsides too. She skirts around the edges of them in The Rules, but I think she could have down some more introspective work...hopefully in her next book!
3. "Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth." Viktor Frankl
1. I love Levy's expansive vocabulary - it is impressive without being pretentious.
2. The first 2/3rds of this was really good, but the last 1/3 fell flat for me. I think Levy has another book in her (at least) delving into the pitfalls of the "anything goes/follow your passion" mentality that our generation has been steeped in growing up. Certainly, much freedom has come from that, but there are some potential downsides too. She skirts around the edges of them in The Rules, but I think she could have down some more introspective work...hopefully in her next book!
3. "Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth." Viktor Frankl
margaretrose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Miscarriage, Addiction, Child death, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
The blurb talks about her losing her child but the scene is a very graphic late term miscarriage. Also her wife is an alcoholic.laurab2125's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this memoir -- the writing is strong and evocative -- but my one star deduction is because it kind of jumps around a little making it difficult to keep track of time. And the ending kind of left me a little... eh.
princesspunkass's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.0