prinehart's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to love it. And it did make me laugh!! Similar humor to Bernadette. Just very sporadic and so many loose ends left untied!
rebbemcc's review against another edition
5.0
“I feel like there might be another take on all this,” I said. “But diversity happens to be one of the subjects I’ve proactively chosen not to care about.”
The writing is sharp, funny, and totally up my alley. Eleanor is flawed and neurotic, insightful and judgey -- I desperately want her to be my new best friend.
The writing is sharp, funny, and totally up my alley. Eleanor is flawed and neurotic, insightful and judgey -- I desperately want her to be my new best friend.
mariahhanley's review against another edition
2.0
While the narration is spot on, I did not like this book. I’m tired of the trope of socially clueless women who just don’t understand why other people don’t adooooooore them. It’s the same reason I disliked Eleanor Oliphant.
olliesmom's review against another edition
Very chaotic writing, did find any true plot worth caring about. Main character annoying.
bethanie22's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. Not necessarily my cup of tea. Maybe it was an author/reader mismatch but I just didn't ever feel super connected to Eleanor and I think it was the rambling stream of consiousness that was happening. I get, we all have days where life snowballs and EVERTHING and I MEAN EVERYTHING seems to compound, but this was wasn't clear to follow. Again, I get that that was kind of the point bc on days like this this is how it feels, but I needed more clarity, I found myself getting lost and having to reread to figure out how I got to where I was. Honestly, she was kind of annoying.
georgina_bawden's review against another edition
3.0
I get the feeling that whichever Maria Semple book you read first is going to be your favourite. That said, I genuinely do think Bernadette was the better novel. Today is less inventive, and repeats a lot of the same tropes as Bernadette but slightly watered down. This time though the bored over-achieving mum is the main character and the precocious child secondary. Semple is fantastic at voice and character, and her unexpected plot segues are always enjoyable. This one did pack some surprisingly heavy emotional punch, when it delves into the story of two estranged sisters. The ending was a little unsatisfying as it centered on the romantic relationship between the main character and her husband when I felt the real heart of the book was her relationship to said sister. However leaving that unresolved was bittersweet and will probably make the after effect of the book linger much more than had it all been neatly resolved. This is beach-read light lit with more literary aspirations, I suppose. It is funny, and although off-puttingly (to me) un PC at times this does usually serve the character (many of them unlikeable). A mixed bag and not one I feel I can as enthusiastically recommend as Where'd You Go Bernadette?
margieh_readsitall's review against another edition
3.0
Quick summer read. Enjoyable character development
nicoleannreads's review against another edition
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
c_rewie6's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5