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abbie_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
I was loving this initially, a very introspective exploration of a family after their parents announce they’re divorcing at 70 years old. Although there are three kids, most of the book flips between perspectives from the two eldest daughters, Liv and Ellen. I enjoyed their POVs, their attempts to come to terms with the new reality of their family, that their parents are more than just their parents, but people with their own lives outside of their children. Ellen’s story was particularly heartbreaking as she struggled to conceive.
But then the last 50 pages randomly come from Håkon’s perspective, the son, despite not hearing from him for the first 170 pages. It was jarring and I didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as Liv & Ellen. It was a lot of philosophising on something Håkon has abided by most of his life (trying to avoid spoilers here), only for him to suddenly abandon those principles in the last 2 pages? The last section honestly felt like a different book!
I think I’d still recommend it for those who enjoy slower paced reads based around family structure and dynamics.
But then the last 50 pages randomly come from Håkon’s perspective, the son, despite not hearing from him for the first 170 pages. It was jarring and I didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as Liv & Ellen. It was a lot of philosophising on something Håkon has abided by most of his life (trying to avoid spoilers here), only for him to suddenly abandon those principles in the last 2 pages? The last section honestly felt like a different book!
I think I’d still recommend it for those who enjoy slower paced reads based around family structure and dynamics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
Moderate: Miscarriage