Reviews

Morningside Heights by Joshua Henkin

gracigoodin's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Pru cheating on her dying husband really sullied the character and book as a whole for me. I know that Spence calling Walter "Pru's other husband" is supposed to show that he knows on some level and accepts it, but I couldn't overlook the infidelity.

The book does well to evoke the emotions that family and caregivers would have in this scenario. Certain plot lines and themes feel rather undeveloped though. 

Overall, interesting concept, but the execution wasn't quite there. 

lizmarasse's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

todayitsthis's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

sunset8305's review against another edition

4.0

This is really well-written. I was fully absorbed from start to finish. The story and characters really tug at your heartstrings, especially as the main storyline focuses on the decline of a husband/father due to dementia. It’s truly heartbreaking at points.

On a brighter note, I loved the slight walk down memory lane! (I used to live at 114th and Broadway, and the Koronet’s reference really took me back :))

Why’d I pick this read? Books with Taylor

jerriboberry's review against another edition

5.0

I don’t know if at a different time in my life this book would have hit me the way it did. It felt simultaneously profound and yet so mundane. Right book at the right time

mina_mouse's review against another edition

4.0

I know you should never judge a book by it’s cover, but as someone who always reads books blindly without reading the back first, I definitely didn’t read the book I was expecting. I thought I was in for a cute New York romance, I used to live in Harlem on 118th an avenue and a walk across the park from Columbia so I was just drawn to this book by the title and cover.

When I tell you to have tissues next to you and ready, oh my god it’s 3am and I’ve been sobbing for the past hour while absolutely devouring each page between tears. the first 80 or so pages made me think this book wasn’t going to be memorable and I had grown bored of the story and it took such an emotional turn that I just couldn’t put it down. Very beautiful but sad story. My only complaint would be the inconsistent yet constant time jumps back and fourth along with character perspectives, a few times I was like okay I’ve had enough of Arlo’s past what’s happening right now!!! But I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a deeper story and need to get a good cry.

kerryamchugh's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

gdro's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

amchica's review

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

At its core, Morningside Heights is a book about family and how they handle adversity. Pru came to NYC as a student ready to take on the world. She fell in love with her Shakespeare professor, Spence, who ended up leaving his wife and son for her. Fast forward 30 years, and we see Pru & Spence still living in NYC, while their daughter Sarah is out of state at med school. Pru notices that something is off with Spence. He is forgetting things, unable to pay attention and more. What does it mean when a man who is known for his great mind starts having cognitive issues?

This was a thoughtful read about family and memory. Each section is told from a different point in their lives and shows a different aspect of their relationship. Clearly this family has complicated relationships like many real world families and through their tensions, they still care for each other. Any book about someone suffering from dementia and/or Alzheimers is always gut wrenching for me and this one was as well.

What to listen to while reading...
I Wanna Be Me by Sex Pistols
The Only Living Boy in New York by Kishi Bashi
Hey Hey, My My by Neil Young
Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
Broken Arrow by Buffalo Springfield
The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell
It's Too Late by Carole King
Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan
I Against I by Bad Brains
Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!