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lavieboheme930's review against another edition
2.0
A Tale of Rivalry with Unfulfilled Potential
The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso is a novel that promises an intriguing exploration of rivalry between two elderly women, Marion and Hortensia, who have spent years harboring animosity towards each other. However, as much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I found it difficult to connect with the characters and the storyline.
One of the main challenges I faced was finding redeeming qualities in either of the main characters. Marion and Hortensia’s personalities, coupled with their often harsh behavior toward one another, made them unlikable in many ways. While unlikable characters can be compelling when done right, here, their actions and attitudes made it hard to root for or even empathize with them.
Additionally, the novel delves into the characters’ pasts, which, instead of enhancing the plot, detracted from the central theme of rivalry I was looking forward to. The flashbacks to their earlier lives often felt like distractions, pulling away from the tension that could have been more sharply focused on their present-day feud. This exploration of their histories didn’t do much to make the characters more relatable or likable.
The summary led me to expect a humorous take on the adversarial relationship between these two women, but the humor was largely absent. The story is certainly complex in its portrayal of human relationships, showcasing the intricacies of two people who have loathed each other for years. However, the lack of humor left the narrative feeling heavier than I anticipated, and I found myself wishing for more levity to balance the weight of the animosity.
Despite these issues, the book does succeed in highlighting the complexity of human relationships, particularly those marked by longstanding resentment. Omotoso’s portrayal of the bitter, yet evolving, relationship between Marion and Hortensia is insightful, and the moments of tension between them are some of the novel’s strongest.
Overall, The Woman Next Door had the potential to be a sharp, witty exploration of rivalry, but it fell short in delivering the humor and focus I had hoped for. The complex portrayal of human relationships is commendable, but the unlikable characters and the detours into their pasts diminished the impact of the story for me.
The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso is a novel that promises an intriguing exploration of rivalry between two elderly women, Marion and Hortensia, who have spent years harboring animosity towards each other. However, as much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I found it difficult to connect with the characters and the storyline.
One of the main challenges I faced was finding redeeming qualities in either of the main characters. Marion and Hortensia’s personalities, coupled with their often harsh behavior toward one another, made them unlikable in many ways. While unlikable characters can be compelling when done right, here, their actions and attitudes made it hard to root for or even empathize with them.
Additionally, the novel delves into the characters’ pasts, which, instead of enhancing the plot, detracted from the central theme of rivalry I was looking forward to. The flashbacks to their earlier lives often felt like distractions, pulling away from the tension that could have been more sharply focused on their present-day feud. This exploration of their histories didn’t do much to make the characters more relatable or likable.
The summary led me to expect a humorous take on the adversarial relationship between these two women, but the humor was largely absent. The story is certainly complex in its portrayal of human relationships, showcasing the intricacies of two people who have loathed each other for years. However, the lack of humor left the narrative feeling heavier than I anticipated, and I found myself wishing for more levity to balance the weight of the animosity.
Despite these issues, the book does succeed in highlighting the complexity of human relationships, particularly those marked by longstanding resentment. Omotoso’s portrayal of the bitter, yet evolving, relationship between Marion and Hortensia is insightful, and the moments of tension between them are some of the novel’s strongest.
Overall, The Woman Next Door had the potential to be a sharp, witty exploration of rivalry, but it fell short in delivering the humor and focus I had hoped for. The complex portrayal of human relationships is commendable, but the unlikable characters and the detours into their pasts diminished the impact of the story for me.
albanueva's review against another edition
4.0
Due donne anziane, molto diverse, vicine di casa a Città del Capo. Si detestano cordialmente da anni. Una è Marion, bianca originaria della città, vedova, architetto, piuttosto razzista. L'altra è Hortensia, di colore, originaria delle Barbados, senza figli ma con un marito in fin di vita e una carriera da 'guru del design'. Arriveranno a confrontarsi, a conoscersi e a scoprire che malgrado le apparenze, hanno molte cose in comune. Un libro che parla della Storia, con la S maiuscola, ma anche e soprattutto di quella con la s minuscola, fatta di amore e amicizia e piccoli gesti quotidiani.
gelainmariaelena's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sustainably_lucia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is a beautiful exploration of the human experience. It is historical and contemporary at the same time. The characters and their stories are exquisitely crafted. This is what I wish reality TV was like. Real (imperfect) characters grappling with real (challenging) issues about their own lives and society. Omotoso deep dives into their inner lives and how they became who they are as they continue to learn and grow in their advanced age. I laughed, I cried, I got annoyed with the characters and empathized with them. This is a story of hope and healing and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a slice-of-life story about two adversarial neighbors who make peace with their differences and become reluctant friends.
pia_de_e's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about so many things! Race, age, marriage, careers...
Marion and Hortensia have been neighbors for a long time, and have never liked each other. One is black and the other one white. One has been a widow for a very long time and the other for a short time. Both had successful careers and are in their eighties. But they never have seen eye to eye.
Marion is uptight and envious. Hortense is a complete nag. You don't get to like them, but as human beings go, I thought it was easy to understand them. So many things are instilled on us since we are children that you could see where all the misery came from.
But one event makes them get closer, and even if they are constantly on each others nerves, they manage to find some kind of peace and company. This is done in a way that you feel is natural, not cheesy or contrived, and it is a good ending that they finally agree on something!
Loved the book and hope to read more by this author.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marion and Hortensia have been neighbors for a long time, and have never liked each other. One is black and the other one white. One has been a widow for a very long time and the other for a short time. Both had successful careers and are in their eighties. But they never have seen eye to eye.
Marion is uptight and envious. Hortense is a complete nag. You don't get to like them, but as human beings go, I thought it was easy to understand them. So many things are instilled on us since we are children that you could see where all the misery came from.
But one event makes them get closer, and even if they are constantly on each others nerves, they manage to find some kind of peace and company. This is done in a way that you feel is natural, not cheesy or contrived, and it is a good ending that they finally agree on something!
Loved the book and hope to read more by this author.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
indieretro's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
buchweiser's review against another edition
5.0
Dieses Buch habe ich bei einem Lesekreisabend entdeckt.
Es ist die Geschichte zweier Frauen in ihren späten Lebensabschnitten, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein können und dennoch so viele Gemeinsamkeiten haben.
Hortensia und Marion sind Nachbarinnen in einem reichen Vorort Kapstadts. Schon seit Jahren haben sie ihre Feindschaft kultiviert, doch nach dem Tod von Hortensias Mann sorgen ein paar ungewöhnliche Ereignisse dazu, dass sie sich einander nähern müssen.
Zunächst wirkt dieses Buch recht amüsant, sind doch beide Frauen recht bissig und sarkastisch, doch schon bald erfährt man mehr über sie und blickt hinter ihre Masken, die eigentlich nur dem Selbstschutz dienen.
Während Hortensia ihr Leben lang gegen Rassismus ankommen musste, auch wenn die Apartheid offiziell beendet war, schlugen Marion bereits früh in ihrer beruflichen Laufbahn andere Vorurteile entgegen. Beide Frauen waren in ihren Gebieten sehr erfolgreich, doch beide mussten auch sehr viel für diesen Erfolg opfern.
Hortensia entschied sich anfangs gegen ein Kind und konnte später keine mehr bekommen, obwohl sie sich nach einer Familie sehnte.
Marion hatte eine Familie gegründet, doch merkte sehr bald, dass es schwer wurde, die Karriere damit zu vereinen. Sie entfremdete sich sowohl von ihrem Mann und den Kindern als auch von ihrem Geschäftspartner.
Es sind zwei sehr schillernde Figuren, die wir in diesem Buch kennenlernen, die mich emotional beide sehr berührt haben. So lustig sie sich auch ungewollt verhalten, so aktuell sind ihre Schwierigkeiten doch nach wie vor für erfolgreiche Frauen in unserer Gesellschaft. Frauen haben nach wie vor mit Widerstand zu rechnen, wollen sie berufliches und privates Glück unter einen Hut bringen. Es wird von ihnen oft mehr erwartet als von einem Mann, sie müssen „bissiger“ sein, härter als ihre männlichen Kollegen. Und immer werden sie etwas opfern müssen für ihren Erfolg, auch wenn die Öffentlichkeit vielleicht nicht immer davon erfährt.
Ich werde noch eine ganze Weile über Hortensia und Marion nachdenken, über das, was ihnen im Leben widerfahren ist, was sie sich erkämpft und was sie dabei verloren haben.
„Die Frau nebenan“ ist ein wunderbar unterhaltsames Buch mit einem sehr ernsten Hintergrund, das ich jedem wirklich ans Herzen legen kann.
Es ist die Geschichte zweier Frauen in ihren späten Lebensabschnitten, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein können und dennoch so viele Gemeinsamkeiten haben.
Hortensia und Marion sind Nachbarinnen in einem reichen Vorort Kapstadts. Schon seit Jahren haben sie ihre Feindschaft kultiviert, doch nach dem Tod von Hortensias Mann sorgen ein paar ungewöhnliche Ereignisse dazu, dass sie sich einander nähern müssen.
Zunächst wirkt dieses Buch recht amüsant, sind doch beide Frauen recht bissig und sarkastisch, doch schon bald erfährt man mehr über sie und blickt hinter ihre Masken, die eigentlich nur dem Selbstschutz dienen.
Während Hortensia ihr Leben lang gegen Rassismus ankommen musste, auch wenn die Apartheid offiziell beendet war, schlugen Marion bereits früh in ihrer beruflichen Laufbahn andere Vorurteile entgegen. Beide Frauen waren in ihren Gebieten sehr erfolgreich, doch beide mussten auch sehr viel für diesen Erfolg opfern.
Hortensia entschied sich anfangs gegen ein Kind und konnte später keine mehr bekommen, obwohl sie sich nach einer Familie sehnte.
Marion hatte eine Familie gegründet, doch merkte sehr bald, dass es schwer wurde, die Karriere damit zu vereinen. Sie entfremdete sich sowohl von ihrem Mann und den Kindern als auch von ihrem Geschäftspartner.
Es sind zwei sehr schillernde Figuren, die wir in diesem Buch kennenlernen, die mich emotional beide sehr berührt haben. So lustig sie sich auch ungewollt verhalten, so aktuell sind ihre Schwierigkeiten doch nach wie vor für erfolgreiche Frauen in unserer Gesellschaft. Frauen haben nach wie vor mit Widerstand zu rechnen, wollen sie berufliches und privates Glück unter einen Hut bringen. Es wird von ihnen oft mehr erwartet als von einem Mann, sie müssen „bissiger“ sein, härter als ihre männlichen Kollegen. Und immer werden sie etwas opfern müssen für ihren Erfolg, auch wenn die Öffentlichkeit vielleicht nicht immer davon erfährt.
Ich werde noch eine ganze Weile über Hortensia und Marion nachdenken, über das, was ihnen im Leben widerfahren ist, was sie sich erkämpft und was sie dabei verloren haben.
„Die Frau nebenan“ ist ein wunderbar unterhaltsames Buch mit einem sehr ernsten Hintergrund, das ich jedem wirklich ans Herzen legen kann.
bookmarkhoarder's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lizbeee's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
No one is more surprised than me how much I ended up enjoying this reading experience. I phrase it that way because considering the book's trajectory and themes, I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the right word for the majority of the plot. These two women have in common having wasted too long in resentment and bitterness, becoming caustic as a result; having stayed in a certain role long past the time it served them; clinging to pride and design careers as a means of bringing control to a life that no longer feels in their control; having been shaped negatively by their parental figures; being deeply unsatisfied with how their attempts at motherhood have ended up.
The contrast appears in what they are just now acknowledging caused so much heartache to themselves and others over the years, admissions coming primarily in each other's company (not clearing the air in a marriage vs not being willing to acknowledge the work required to uproot deep racism). Having said that, the contrast between Marion refusing to see and Hortensia being unable to exist without being affected by racism does not play as large a role in the text as I initially would have thought. The flashbacks to earlier regrets are almost equal, with perhaps more emphasis on Hortensia.
The ending doesn't feel desolate but quiet, there are reconciliations with the understanding that much time (and some people) have passed. Maybe not all can be made right, maybe not all is forgiven, nor should it be. But maybe there can be peace, companionship. Great writing.
If you survived Our Souls at Night, I think you might like this.
⚠️racism, miscarriage
The contrast appears in what they are just now acknowledging caused so much heartache to themselves and others over the years, admissions coming primarily in each other's company (not clearing the air in a marriage vs not being willing to acknowledge the work required to uproot deep racism). Having said that, the contrast between Marion refusing to see and Hortensia being unable to exist without being affected by racism does not play as large a role in the text as I initially would have thought. The flashbacks to earlier regrets are almost equal, with perhaps more emphasis on Hortensia.
The ending doesn't feel desolate but quiet, there are reconciliations with the understanding that much time (and some people) have passed. Maybe not all can be made right, maybe not all is forgiven, nor should it be. But maybe there can be peace, companionship. Great writing.
If you survived Our Souls at Night, I think you might like this.
⚠️racism, miscarriage