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renflew's review against another edition
3.0
This book was listed on many of the book club lists I came across, plus it's by the author of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, so thought it was a good bet. I did like the book, it was a quick, easy read.
Will recommend it to my book club.
Will recommend it to my book club.
courtthebookgirl's review
1.0
One of the worst books I have ever read, and I can't put into words how much I hated it. The main characters were entirely unlikable in every way imaginable, and the only characters I had any sympathy for at all were the children in both marriages and Bruno, the boss. The only redeeming quality is that the writing was decent..... the content, however, was atrocious. When you find yourself rooting against both people in a marriage because they are both horrible, selfish, petulant, child-brained morons, you know the book has gone south. I also actively rooted against the people they both wanted to cheat with, who were also petulant, selfish, child-brained morons.... or worse, if I had the words to come up with worse insults on a Sunday.
Horrible, horrible book. I am just glad it's over.
(And I apologize to my friends who recommended this to me who loved it- but we will have to agree to disagree on this one.)
The one star I gave it was for the actual writing. If it weren't for that, I would have given it no stars and been perfectly content.
I'm going now to wash my eyes out.
Horrible, horrible book. I am just glad it's over.
(And I apologize to my friends who recommended this to me who loved it- but we will have to agree to disagree on this one.)
The one star I gave it was for the actual writing. If it weren't for that, I would have given it no stars and been perfectly content.
I'm going now to wash my eyes out.
pkane01's review
3.0
It wasn't terrible, but I feel like I could have spent my time doing lots of other, more fun things.
showlola's review against another edition
2.0
Literary fiction with a beachy pace, but I feel like I've read this story so many times before.
It didn't help that we were getting baby boomers repackaged as fresh 30-somethings in contemporary Brooklyn. The gender issues, relationship dynamics, and antiquated technology seemed pulled right out of the 80s, but there were several references to pop culture events that place the setting firmly in modern day. I guess that's more of editing problem, but as a contemporary to these people they felt more like my parents than my peers.
Cute but ultimately unsatisfying. And I did like Bea. I also think this is one of those rare books that would make a much better movie.
It didn't help that we were getting baby boomers repackaged as fresh 30-somethings in contemporary Brooklyn. The gender issues, relationship dynamics, and antiquated technology seemed pulled right out of the 80s, but there were several references to pop culture events that place the setting firmly in modern day. I guess that's more of editing problem, but as a contemporary to these people they felt more like my parents than my peers.
Cute but ultimately unsatisfying. And I did like Bea. I also think this is one of those rare books that would make a much better movie.
sharonfalduto's review
This book was pretty good-it was about marriage, and what happens when interlopers change things....I actually heard Peter Hedges read some of this, in person, at a reading at the Iowa City Public Library. That was cool.
mhall's review against another edition
3.0
A scruffy high school history teacher and his wife live with their two young children in a hip area of Brooklyn. He's struggling to finish his dissertation, while she struggles with the ongoing popularity contests and rivalries among the stay-at-home moms at the local playground and coffee shops. But then they are both dazzled by the arrival of a rich and beautiful new neighbor, a woman who takes an interest in this couple for unknown reasons.
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
I had a feeling I would like this one, just because the author wrote the screenplay for two delightful movies that I love, About a Boy and Dan in Real Life. He has a talent for creating characters that are flawed, complex but loveable. In other words Real! I really enjoyed this novel and did not want to put it down. It is a deftly told tale of the dangers of keeping secrets in a marriage. The storyline was compelling and the characters interesting, almost like you know people just like them. The writing is crisp and at times laugh out loud funny -- trust me, I snorted on the bus many a time!
I loved the scene where Kate called Tim to tell him that there son had finally pooped in the potty. This is the world I belong to and it is truly the little things in life that parents often treasure and celebrate. This is where Peter Hedges excels in both his novels and his screenplays, he captures some of these "real" moments beautifully and truthfully. Many a time while reading this I felt myself nodding vigouresly along with some of his obervations on life, marriage and children. As a married (For 16 years) mom with two small boys I have understood and felt the emotions that Kate is struggling with. I felt myself hoping that eventhough Tim and Kate were in a situation that has destroyed many a marriage, that they would make it.
My only disappointment with the novel, was the character of Anna. I didn't find her character very developed, almost like she was a cariacture of a real person. I really could not understand the fascination that the other characters had for her.
Most importantly for me, there was an illustion to a happy ending for the couple. Maybe this makes me a simple person, but I NEED a happy ending for me to truly enjoy a story.
Some of my favourite quotes or passages.
"I amused them and even myself, and for a few hours I was not only the mother I never had, I was the mother of all mothers"
"Hurry home, okay? We won't flush until you get here"
"I remembered something Tim once said: Children fall asleep so you can love them again"
"I mean he's begging me for it, so I make Dan the Bear an offer "Fine sweetie. Make a million by Easter and you can F*** me in the A**" ...
Some Men wait their whole lives to overhear this kind of conversation. Unfortunately, it was time to go pick up Teddy and Sam from preschool, so I stood up to leave. From the stunned expressions on their collective faces, it became clear that while they hadn't noticed me before, they noticed me now..... So to put them at ease, I turned and said. "Forgive the intrusion, but what happens if he doesn't make the money?" Claudia paused. "I haven't provided for t hat" "My suggestion for what it's worth, if he doesn't make the million by Easter -- then YOU f*** him in the a**. Then Claudia slapped her knee and roared triumphantly "Yes!"
I will be surprised if this novel is not turned into a movie.
I loved the scene where Kate called Tim to tell him that there son had finally pooped in the potty. This is the world I belong to and it is truly the little things in life that parents often treasure and celebrate. This is where Peter Hedges excels in both his novels and his screenplays, he captures some of these "real" moments beautifully and truthfully. Many a time while reading this I felt myself nodding vigouresly along with some of his obervations on life, marriage and children. As a married (For 16 years) mom with two small boys I have understood and felt the emotions that Kate is struggling with. I felt myself hoping that eventhough Tim and Kate were in a situation that has destroyed many a marriage, that they would make it.
My only disappointment with the novel, was the character of Anna. I didn't find her character very developed, almost like she was a cariacture of a real person. I really could not understand the fascination that the other characters had for her.
Most importantly for me, there was an illustion to a happy ending for the couple. Maybe this makes me a simple person, but I NEED a happy ending for me to truly enjoy a story.
Some of my favourite quotes or passages.
"I amused them and even myself, and for a few hours I was not only the mother I never had, I was the mother of all mothers"
"Hurry home, okay? We won't flush until you get here"
"I remembered something Tim once said: Children fall asleep so you can love them again"
"I mean he's begging me for it, so I make Dan the Bear an offer "Fine sweetie. Make a million by Easter and you can F*** me in the A**" ...
Some Men wait their whole lives to overhear this kind of conversation. Unfortunately, it was time to go pick up Teddy and Sam from preschool, so I stood up to leave. From the stunned expressions on their collective faces, it became clear that while they hadn't noticed me before, they noticed me now..... So to put them at ease, I turned and said. "Forgive the intrusion, but what happens if he doesn't make the money?" Claudia paused. "I haven't provided for t hat" "My suggestion for what it's worth, if he doesn't make the million by Easter -- then YOU f*** him in the a**. Then Claudia slapped her knee and roared triumphantly "Yes!"
I will be surprised if this novel is not turned into a movie.
anngilzow's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to the audiobook. Audio format worked well for the multiple points of view, although was occasionally confusing.
theobacn's review against another edition
3.0
for such a self-indulgent book where not a lot happens, the plot was surprisingly engaging. the characters were very believable but I didn't like them very much, which can only take you so far. I might still try [b:What's Eating Gilbert Grape|152662|What's Eating Gilbert Grape|Peter Hedges|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172245214s/152662.jpg|1147214] in the future though, because the writing is unique.
csprfamily's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the way the book was laid out with snip its from each person's point of view. Though I felt the character of Anna could have been more developed, I found the role and characters of the married couple believable.