doctabird's review against another edition
3.0
I received this as a free ARE from the "first reads" giveaway. I was hesitant to read it because I thought it would be a love story, and I'm not really one for reading romance. Fortunately, the book was more a story about relationships in general and the lasting impact of a person's actions on all of his/her relationships. As other people have mentioned, the book takes a lot from The Great Gatsby. There are a lot of similarities, but there's enough different that it's worth a read. That said, while I like the premise of the book, by the end, I found that I didn't like a single character in the book. Understandably, everyone has their faults, but there were too few positive character traits to balance all of the faults. I found myself feeling utterly frustrated with the characters' actions throughout the book. Overall, I suppose a book that draws you in enough to make you feel some emotion is worthwhile.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
2.0
I'm thoroughly confused by the love for this book. There's nothing there. If it had been written by a woman it'd be classified as chick-lit. The characters are paper-thin caricatures. Maddy is the most beautiful, courageous, loving etc. woman on earth, though she doesn't know it. Oh no, I'm fat, she says, when being complimented, because apparently the male fantasy of the perfect woman doesn't include self-awareness. Her husband Harry is also wonderful. I'm not sure why or how, because that isn't shown, but I'm going to assume it is so since "people can't help loving him". Walter, the creepy narrator, is their best friend. He is in love with Maddy, doesn't date much because what's the point, and only wants her to be happy. He also loves Harry, because... that's right, he can't help it. For a guy as prone to analyzing other people's motives as Walter, I'm surprised it never occurs to him to see a shrink and get his own unhealthy fixation sorted out. Finally there is Claire. She looks good naked and... wait for it... loves Harry!
Harry and Claire have an affair. The description of this affair reminds me of those real-life stories in women's magazines I read when I was thirteen. You know, the earnest, badly written confessional, riddled with clichés and vanilla sex. Claire ponders: "Things are already very different from what they had been at first. Then it had all been new and exciting." Oh, Claire.
One thing I do not remember from those stories is the leg licking. Apparently men these days like to have the backs of their legs licked. Things have changed. There were many other details that confused me. When the happy bunch go frolicking on the beach, all swept up in their love for Harry, they bring egg-salad sandwiches, which seems reasonable, and home-made potato chips, which does not. I forgot to mention that these people are rich and frolick in the Hamptons. Maybe rich people make their own potato chips? Maybe that's how they got rich?
So confused. The book seemed to me shallow and bland and full of stereotypes. I don't feel bad for being so uncharitable about it, because so many others love it. Good for them.
Harry and Claire have an affair. The description of this affair reminds me of those real-life stories in women's magazines I read when I was thirteen. You know, the earnest, badly written confessional, riddled with clichés and vanilla sex. Claire ponders: "Things are already very different from what they had been at first. Then it had all been new and exciting." Oh, Claire.
One thing I do not remember from those stories is the leg licking. Apparently men these days like to have the backs of their legs licked. Things have changed. There were many other details that confused me. When the happy bunch go frolicking on the beach, all swept up in their love for Harry, they bring egg-salad sandwiches, which seems reasonable, and home-made potato chips, which does not. I forgot to mention that these people are rich and frolick in the Hamptons. Maybe rich people make their own potato chips? Maybe that's how they got rich?
So confused. The book seemed to me shallow and bland and full of stereotypes. I don't feel bad for being so uncharitable about it, because so many others love it. Good for them.
jessierose617's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lthale's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kkayastha929's review against another edition
3.0
I was so disappointed in this book. It was listed as suspense and I found nothing suspenseful about it. The characters were self-absorbed and difficult to relate to at all. Overall, I had high hopes, and it did not live up to them at all.
emp1234's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh. It's not that Dubow is a bad writer, but he gives us SO much information that is superfluous to the story. Also, I hated Claire from the moment she arrived until the very end. People have mentioned in reviews the "realistic dialog" in this book. Give me a break. Most of it was almost normal and Claire's speaking parts made me want to scream. To even reference in passing any similarity to The Great Gatsby (which is not even one of my favorites) is laughable. I'd give this one star, but that's reserved for crap like 50 Shades of Grey.
rachelgallops's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
marthas_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75