trudecal's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Took me a chapter or two to get into, but when I did I could hardly put it down! Weaves the lives of the characters together really well, and you really get to know them individually. Wonderfully done, too, with it's inclusion of 9/11, without being overdone.
marynolanpleckham's review against another edition
So descriptive - was skimming whole pages.
crispeta601's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to read this book around a trip to NYC -- I envisioned a rich compelling cast of characters and a strong sense of time and place. Though I can see that Messud has a talent for writing, and I enjoyed some of her turns of phrase and chapter titles, I did not actually enjoy reading the book. I did not find a single character likeable, and in the end there were not any truly redeeming qualities. It did not make me want to go to New York City at all, and the book lacked the warmth and life I was hoping for.
mattyzmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a long novel. Messud is very detailed in her writing but it makes for an interesting read. The end was surprising. She really got into the events of 9/11. I would recommend this book to anyone.
bookishkathrine's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a particularly easy ready. There are so many commas used, and the language can be contrived. The characters are not very likable. That being said, there are some interesting things going on thematically, and it's an interesting enough read once it picks up in the second half.
zoemaja's review against another edition
2.0
library book on kindle. It is difficult going back and forth between this and The Signature of all things, the audio book I am listening to right now. The tone is just so different. It was jarring to go from 11/2/1963 to this as well. But I am in the groove a few chapters in and while not quite liking the characters, at least not yet, at least being interested in them.
I actually abandoned this book halfway through. I just couldn't read one more page about privileged characters agonizing over their specialness. Not in the mood.
I actually abandoned this book halfway through. I just couldn't read one more page about privileged characters agonizing over their specialness. Not in the mood.
skidiva's review against another edition
1.0
Simply awful. Boring, badly written, cliche characters, a mess. Why this got any decent reviews is a complete mystery. Do not read this book
allieeveryday's review against another edition
3.0
This book was not what I was expecting. I enjoyed the story, though I felt like the author used a lot of "ten dollar words" that were unnecessary.