dessa's review against another edition
4.0
Mitzi is light-hearted and entertaining but also straight-up gorgeous, complicated, and subtle. It's beautifully and lovingly written; it's a beach read with teeth; it's an ode to motherhood and secrets and complicated lives; it's an exploration of a the fear that our relationships with others - friends, spouses, children - can swallow and erase the person you are, or the person you think you are; it's an honest and compassionate portrait of a deeply flawed character who has no idea how to make things right but tries anyway; it's exactly what I needed and wanted to read even though I didn't know it. And I'm sure this wasn't the intention, but this heart-achingly lovely portrait of humble and messy domesticity and comfort has 100 per cent shored up my desire to never, ever have children.
lynnedf's review against another edition
2.0
I was given an early copy by Harper Collins Canada (#HCCFirstLook)
I had a really hard time rating this book.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to Love "Mitzi Bytes" - but it just didn't happen that way.
Fifteen years ago Sarah was dealt a blow (divorce) and ended up writing an anonymous blog as "Mitzi Bytes" - a relatable woman in her 20s trying to make sense of where her life had gone wrong and move forward. Skip ahead to present day, Sarah is married, a mother and still writing her blog, and no one knows.
At least Sarah assumes no one knows until she receives an email from Jane Q "Time's up. You're officially found out."
Good concept eh?
This book spends a lot of time examining why Sarah continues to blog, even as she's moved on from her divorce and life seems to be going really well. We are able to read the blog archives (really enjoyed being able to see who Sarah was), but the thing that stands out to me is that Sarah moved from blogging about her own experiences to blogging about experiences that she observed. Hence Jane Q getting angry about the posts and wanting to "out" Sarah to the world.
My issue is that I didn't really like Sarah - and although I love a flawed character, Sarah really doesn't think she's in the wrong.
That being said, I do agree with other reviews that this would make a good book club read as there are many points for discussion: Kerry Clare is able to examine what makes a person tick, trying to balance motherhood versus having your own identity, managing those PTA/school yard relationships (the mothers not the children), accepting the in-laws for who they are (as well as their role in your life), and the major theme was friendships between women.
2.5 stars
I had a really hard time rating this book.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to Love "Mitzi Bytes" - but it just didn't happen that way.
Fifteen years ago Sarah was dealt a blow (divorce) and ended up writing an anonymous blog as "Mitzi Bytes" - a relatable woman in her 20s trying to make sense of where her life had gone wrong and move forward. Skip ahead to present day, Sarah is married, a mother and still writing her blog, and no one knows.
At least Sarah assumes no one knows until she receives an email from Jane Q "Time's up. You're officially found out."
Good concept eh?
This book spends a lot of time examining why Sarah continues to blog, even as she's moved on from her divorce and life seems to be going really well. We are able to read the blog archives (really enjoyed being able to see who Sarah was), but the thing that stands out to me is that Sarah moved from blogging about her own experiences to blogging about experiences that she observed. Hence Jane Q getting angry about the posts and wanting to "out" Sarah to the world.
My issue is that I didn't really like Sarah - and although I love a flawed character, Sarah really doesn't think she's in the wrong.
That being said, I do agree with other reviews that this would make a good book club read as there are many points for discussion: Kerry Clare is able to examine what makes a person tick, trying to balance motherhood versus having your own identity, managing those PTA/school yard relationships (the mothers not the children), accepting the in-laws for who they are (as well as their role in your life), and the major theme was friendships between women.
2.5 stars
thatgirl1's review against another edition
3.0
just ok, nothing really to make me recommend it to a friend
gibbslamey's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book. I read blogs, I had a blog, but this book was not my cup of tea.
stegosaurustea's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I found this book terribly slow and boring, quite contrived. Hated the main character, she’s so annoying.
jennjennpei's review against another edition
3.0
This was ok. Slow to start and then I felt like it had an abrupt ending. Was a tad disappointed.