Reviews

"Beware of men who cry. It's true that men who cry are sensitive to and in touch with feelings, but the only feelings they tend to be sensitive to and in touch with are their own."

My friend said that Nora Ephron is mean - she is, but it's okay to be mean if you're right, I think. HEARTBURN is so timeless and astute, so sad and clever, and such a poignant reminder of the importance—and privilege—that comes from being able to tell your own story.

I've always felt that narrativizing your own life is dangerous—Ephron clearly understands that in her supra-narrative, even though she mostly steps over the blurry line between fiction and autobiography. But ultimately, arbitrary as it sounds...it is so, so important to be able to talk about the things that have happened to you.

Lesson learned!

eap157's review

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emotional funny sad fast-paced

Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Fast-paced, slightly neurotic, moderately funny, stream-of-consciousness-style account of Rachel (Nora) finding out about her husband Mark's (Carl Bernstein's) affair while 7 months pregnant with their 2nd child. It was scattered and gossipy like she's talking to a close friend and so therefore doesn't bother to explain all of her restaurant/political/societal references. I sort of liked it, then I hated it, and then I sort of liked it again by the end. It is very dated now, but still amusing, and delightfully read by Meryl Streep (who played Rachel in the film).

louisebowden's review against another edition

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4.0

nora ephron’s voice is so distinctive i love how she writes.

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