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amanda_reads89's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Classism
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Literary fiction about the Stocktons, a wealthy New York family, as they grapple with their identities and issues of class and personal happiness.
What you have to understand about this book is basically nothing happens. It’s slow and character driven and heavily focused on rich people’s problems. If you don’t like those vibes, you probably won’t enjoy the book.
But if you DO like those vibes (and I very much do), then you might LOVE this one (and I did). The audio narration, by the incomparable Marin Ireland, was outstanding, and I was so entertained the entire time. The characters really grew on me, and I’m actually sad that I’ve finished the book and I can’t just go and check in on them. If you want a slower moving, but deeply engaging, character driven read, then this is definitely one to pick up.
CW: Death/grief; mental health; drug/alcohol use
Literary fiction about the Stocktons, a wealthy New York family, as they grapple with their identities and issues of class and personal happiness.
What you have to understand about this book is basically nothing happens. It’s slow and character driven and heavily focused on rich people’s problems. If you don’t like those vibes, you probably won’t enjoy the book.
But if you DO like those vibes (and I very much do), then you might LOVE this one (and I did). The audio narration, by the incomparable Marin Ireland, was outstanding, and I was so entertained the entire time. The characters really grew on me, and I’m actually sad that I’ve finished the book and I can’t just go and check in on them. If you want a slower moving, but deeply engaging, character driven read, then this is definitely one to pick up.
CW: Death/grief; mental health; drug/alcohol use
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, and Alcohol
catie_cat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story was incredible. It tackles many difficult topics and subjects in a way I found to be refreshing. The characters are relatable and seem like they could be average people we meet and not some over the top fiction. I loved this story and highly recommend the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Classism
elizatess17's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Grief
juliedaffodilly's review against another edition
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
Pros:
I love character driven novels. I loved getting to know Sasha, Georgiana, & Darley. They were compelling and well thought out. The Brady twist completed gutted me. There were many twists and turns and long standing consequences to these actions that felt real. Well done.
Cons: It wrapped up way quicker than anything unfolded. I loved the way it all shook out but I do wish each characters last chapter was given a bit more weight to the joy of the changes.
I love character driven novels. I loved getting to know Sasha, Georgiana, & Darley. They were compelling and well thought out. The Brady twist completed gutted me. There were many twists and turns and long standing consequences to these actions that felt real. Well done.
Cons: It wrapped up way quicker than anything unfolded. I loved the way it all shook out but I do wish each characters last chapter was given a bit more weight to the joy of the changes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
books_hay's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
julesthebookdragon417's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Nuanced character exploration that kept me interested despite basically everyone being unlikeable, which was skillfully done on the author's part. A generation of siblings born into an elite bubble of privilege are slowly faced with the realities of their existence, and the role they play in perpetuating cycles of inequity. Meanwhile one sister in law who has married into the family is forced to acknowledge that bias and hypocrisy aren't exclusive to the upper 1%.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Drug abuse
Minor: Sexism
eskies's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Grief, and Classism
leenzreadz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It is an easy read and you can finish in a day or over a weekend, but I'm not sure who the target audience is. If it's the 1%, more specifically old money families, as a mirror to themselves and satire on their life then so be it. Otherwise it is not very relatable and the characters were unlikable. I found it quite tone deaf even when the characters had feelings/experiences that would make them more relatable. Not a fan, unfortunately, but if folks like to escape reality and imagine having "rich problems" this is the one for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
ariana3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this! Even though it wasn't a complex or deep read (I guess that would be a "beach read"?), I found it to be entertaining and I enjoyed reading it! About a rich family of 5 and the dynamics each family member has with others (family, friends, etc.). Each chapter is told by a different member of the family, and how wealth plays into it also. I hated Georgiana as a character at first, but she came around towards the end. I always liked Darley and Sasha!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming and Death