shane_malcolm's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
clairebartholomew549's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book, although it didn't have quite as much of a plot as I wanted (which was perhaps the point, and also perhaps a failure of mine, as I always struggle with books that don't have a clear trajectory). This book is a quiet, thoughtful exploration of the contours of marriages that last for decades, and how people change and adapt to each other and their circumstances. There are numerous examples of how marriages seem to end but then evolve into something different - a woman whose husband comes out as gay and goes to live with his partner, and they continue to celebrate holidays all together as she does her best to extend grace and understanding; a marriage ended when one half enjoyed having an open relationship and the other found it unbearable, and the two stay in each other's lives forever; and a young couple whose first child one of them doesn't understand how to love, but then forms a bond. And, of course, the central couple, where one dies and the other realizes that he wasn't all that faithful, but maybe she wasn't either? I found it a gorgeous rumination on how love can be tested and pushed, and how we continue to love each other despite new information that confuses our understanding of each other. The ending felt for me a little flat, but that is perhaps because it felt like the author just chose a time to end the book; it didn't feel like there was much narrative punch to it.
amymck05's review
4.0
About halfway into this book I was considering giving it three stars. I was getting bored with the characters and the lack of a plot outside of Graham's death which happens at the beginning of the novel. I'm glad I stuck it out. I came to really like, if not love, Annie and her extended family and friends who help her through the grieving process and the end was so real and I loved that.
mnihill's review
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
caoilinreads's review against another edition
3.0
A tender, introspective novel that shines a light on the relationship between Annie, a reserved woman with a broken career in photography (making her the novel's key observer and surveyor) and her husband Graham, a large, exuberant gentleman with a large appetite for life and everything that comes with it. The novels winds backwards and forwards after the fall out of its key event, delicately weaving the story as it twists and unfurls. I enjoyed this novel and its prose. However, I did find it a bit too slow at points as the story is very character-based (with less plot driving the story) and while the writing is beautiful, at times, it felt like it overtook the story itself. I would recommend for those who like a leisurely, more old-fashioned and linear novel filled with depth and richness of characters, less for those who want more of an exhilarating, fast-paced, more contemporary read.
kenster's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Expansive, larger than life and loving, Graham is a big personality who affects all around him. After the failure of his first marriage he falls for Annie, a photographer and his opposite, but their marriage works. Graham has an affair but it doesn't affect his life with Annie, they children and his large circle of friends. Then one day life throws a curveball and Annie is left alone.
I wouldn't normally choose a novel such as this and it surprised me that I enjoyed it so much. Miller is adept at writing sparing prose the conveys huge emotions and, whilst the story doesn't really go anywhere, it does make the reader think a little
I wouldn't normally choose a novel such as this and it surprised me that I enjoyed it so much. Miller is adept at writing sparing prose the conveys huge emotions and, whilst the story doesn't really go anywhere, it does make the reader think a little
coreygreenlee's review
5.0
The subjects Sue Miller tackles in her latest novel, Monogamy, aren’t for the faint of heart. There’s infidelity, death, grief, and - even more heartbreaking at times - the question of love and if it can withstand all of three of these haunting realities.
This book, while provocative at times, was mostly a thoughtful, quiet study of a marriage. The story was propelled by the main character’s questions and her search for answers as she grapples to understand her life with - and without - her beloved husband. These questions resonated deeply with me, questions most married people ponder from time to time: Is married love truly everlasting? Can it withstand hardships? And, if it’s lost, can it be found again?
Sue Miller’s character development is stunning, the people she creates practically jump off the page, begging us to understand their lives and feel their personal struggles.
When I turned the final page of this haunting story, I felt pain and longing, but there was also a tiny glimmer of hope tickling the edges, asking me to realize its ultimate truth: Loss may be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean all is lost.
This is the first book I’ve read by Sue Miller, but I assure you, it won’t be my last.
This book, while provocative at times, was mostly a thoughtful, quiet study of a marriage. The story was propelled by the main character’s questions and her search for answers as she grapples to understand her life with - and without - her beloved husband. These questions resonated deeply with me, questions most married people ponder from time to time: Is married love truly everlasting? Can it withstand hardships? And, if it’s lost, can it be found again?
Sue Miller’s character development is stunning, the people she creates practically jump off the page, begging us to understand their lives and feel their personal struggles.
When I turned the final page of this haunting story, I felt pain and longing, but there was also a tiny glimmer of hope tickling the edges, asking me to realize its ultimate truth: Loss may be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean all is lost.
This is the first book I’ve read by Sue Miller, but I assure you, it won’t be my last.
55_sallymander's review against another edition
5.0
Monogamy by Sue Miller
Published by Harper
September 8, 2020
Reviewed by: mrsboone4
Green Forest, Arkansas, USA
My rating: 5 Stars
Annie and Graham have been married to each other for several decades. They were both previously married to other people, Graham is still friends with his ex-wife and he has a son, Lucas from that relationship. Annie has nothing to do with her ex-husband. Annie and Graham have an adult daughter, Sarah, together. Sarah and Lucas are friends.
Graham had an open marriage with Freida, Lucas' mom. Freida liked it a little at first, and less and less as time went on. Graham loved the open marriage and always, always had affairs in the open and also hidden affairs.
Graham owns a bookstore, he frequently hosts parties for authors and he and Sarah entertain all the time. Sarah isn't aware of the open marriage that Graham and Freida had. She isn't aware of Graham's infidelities with her.
One day, Graham dies, Sarah finds she doesn't want to live without her beloved Graham. Slowly she finds out about his infidelities and since she is friends with Freida, she finds out that Freida knew that Graham was cheating on her, but did not tell her. Sarah is very hurt but it.
Sarah finds that she must pickup the broken pieces of her life and get on with living. Her wonderful life was mostly just lies, after all.
A book that a lot of people unfortunately might have things in common with. It is entertaining.
This is a paperback book, green with copper colored leaves all over it, the leaves are a type of foil, so it looks and feels very nice in your hands. The cover has built in flaps that have an overview of the book and author information.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.
Published by Harper
September 8, 2020
Reviewed by: mrsboone4
Green Forest, Arkansas, USA
My rating: 5 Stars
Annie and Graham have been married to each other for several decades. They were both previously married to other people, Graham is still friends with his ex-wife and he has a son, Lucas from that relationship. Annie has nothing to do with her ex-husband. Annie and Graham have an adult daughter, Sarah, together. Sarah and Lucas are friends.
Graham had an open marriage with Freida, Lucas' mom. Freida liked it a little at first, and less and less as time went on. Graham loved the open marriage and always, always had affairs in the open and also hidden affairs.
Graham owns a bookstore, he frequently hosts parties for authors and he and Sarah entertain all the time. Sarah isn't aware of the open marriage that Graham and Freida had. She isn't aware of Graham's infidelities with her.
One day, Graham dies, Sarah finds she doesn't want to live without her beloved Graham. Slowly she finds out about his infidelities and since she is friends with Freida, she finds out that Freida knew that Graham was cheating on her, but did not tell her. Sarah is very hurt but it.
Sarah finds that she must pickup the broken pieces of her life and get on with living. Her wonderful life was mostly just lies, after all.
A book that a lot of people unfortunately might have things in common with. It is entertaining.
This is a paperback book, green with copper colored leaves all over it, the leaves are a type of foil, so it looks and feels very nice in your hands. The cover has built in flaps that have an overview of the book and author information.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.