deweydecimalsisters's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sarahbrarian's review against another edition
So boring! I’m not even sure why I bothered to finish. Appropriately titled tho.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
Contemporary fiction of the subgenre I'd like to call "New York fiction".
The premise is interesting, borderline kooky - a woman tosses her mother's heavily annotated yearbook and another person finds it, hijinks ensue. However, it's more frustration and annoyance than slapstick comedy style hijinks, which works much better for me. Of course you can't make someone do or not do something, no matter how strongly you feel about it. Perfect plot tension! The other conflict of the story would be a spoiler, but suffice to say it was less interesting.
The characters are mostly interesting and nearly well-rounded. The narrator protagonist was the least appealing - she's definitely a self-absorbed brat. I did not understand her view of work and money, or how she treated and talked to some people, which really soured my opinion of her. I don't even know how to summarize or react to her marriage, subsequent divorce, how she talks about her marriage, or her budding romance....really, any part of her love life or sex life is bizarre to me.
I ended up sympathizing with her father more, as he was the most nuanced character in the cast. I'm curious now what the book would have been like from his perspective? Although, upon reflection, he doesn't need the growth arc that Daphne surely does, so that would be less compelling.
in sum
Not quite fluff and frivolity for a billed "romantic comedy" - it's contemporary New York fiction with bizarre scenarios, people being jerks, and the occasional anachronism. I wanted to keep reading to know what mean thing Daphne would say next or what absurd, frustrating thing Geneva would do next, or if Daphne's dad, Tom, would end up really enjoying his move to NY (spoiler, yes he does), but I'll probably forget most of the plot points within a few weeks.
The premise is interesting, borderline kooky - a woman tosses her mother's heavily annotated yearbook and another person finds it, hijinks ensue. However, it's more frustration and annoyance than slapstick comedy style hijinks, which works much better for me. Of course you can't make someone do or not do something, no matter how strongly you feel about it. Perfect plot tension! The other conflict of the story would be a spoiler, but suffice to say it was less interesting.
The characters are mostly interesting and nearly well-rounded. The narrator protagonist was the least appealing - she's definitely a self-absorbed brat. I did not understand her view of work and money, or how she treated and talked to some people, which really soured my opinion of her. I don't even know how to summarize or react to her marriage, subsequent divorce, how she talks about her marriage, or her budding romance....really, any part of her love life or sex life is bizarre to me.
I ended up sympathizing with her father more, as he was the most nuanced character in the cast. I'm curious now what the book would have been like from his perspective? Although, upon reflection, he doesn't need the growth arc that Daphne surely does, so that would be less compelling.
in sum
Not quite fluff and frivolity for a billed "romantic comedy" - it's contemporary New York fiction with bizarre scenarios, people being jerks, and the occasional anachronism. I wanted to keep reading to know what mean thing Daphne would say next or what absurd, frustrating thing Geneva would do next, or if Daphne's dad, Tom, would end up really enjoying his move to NY (spoiler, yes he does), but I'll probably forget most of the plot points within a few weeks.
donttakemybooks's review against another edition
3.0
Such an odd book, but the characters were interesting and it read quickly.
mreads03's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It was sooo boring. No drama.
sde's review against another edition
4.0
A typical Elinor Lipman book - fun, upbeat, witty. A great vacation read.
I loved that it was based on a real yearbook a friend found at a flea market.
Other Goodreads reviewers point out things that don't seem to make sense in the book - how could the MC's mother be an adviser to the Class of 1968? How could an actor on a show shot in Vancouver live in Manhattan? If these sorts of things drive you batty, avoid the book. I am willing to gloss over them for an upbeat read.
I loved that it was based on a real yearbook a friend found at a flea market.
Other Goodreads reviewers point out things that don't seem to make sense in the book - how could the MC's mother be an adviser to the Class of 1968? How could an actor on a show shot in Vancouver live in Manhattan? If these sorts of things drive you batty, avoid the book. I am willing to gloss over them for an upbeat read.
bhorejsi's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Meh