A review by eandrews80
Three Stages of Amazement by Carol Edgarian

2.0

Despite some shrewd observations and compelling scenes, this book is terribly overwritten and morose. It's also overcrowded; if the story could have focused solely on Lena and Charlie, a struggling married couple with financial problems and a sick baby, perhaps Edgarian could have created an emotional center to ground the rest of the characters. Instead, we get saddled with Lena's obscenely rich aunt, uncle, and extended family; her former lover; myriad business associates; a family wedding; a failed business venture involving a surgical robot; and endless references to the financial crisis of 2008-2009. Even worse is the dialogue, which tries too hard to be literary and instead sounds stilted and overwrought. I have to admit falling in love with Lena and Charlie's young son, Theo, and the scenes that revolve around their family were the only reason I finished this. So much potential, but ultimately disappointing.