Scan barcode
punkinmuffin's review against another edition
3.0
I read this based on a friend's recommendation. While the writing isn't as bad as, say, Dan Brown or EL James, it's not spectacular either.
The plotting and pacing are pretty good, I found myself drawn into the story and interested in the characters. But by the end, I'd stopped caring about them. I felt like an outsider. I think that's because I'm not a mother, and this book deals with a lot of themes relating to motherhood.
So, if you're a white, middle class mother, you'll probably enjoy this book more than I did.
The plotting and pacing are pretty good, I found myself drawn into the story and interested in the characters. But by the end, I'd stopped caring about them. I felt like an outsider. I think that's because I'm not a mother, and this book deals with a lot of themes relating to motherhood.
So, if you're a white, middle class mother, you'll probably enjoy this book more than I did.
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
It was another great read from Moriarty. She is so adept at providing multiple perspectives effectively and concisely. However, I did feel that her multiple perspectives approach had less impact with this novel than her other ones because I was predominantly interested in Alice's story.
Still, it was a great read and I highly recommend this.
Still, it was a great read and I highly recommend this.
andiemags53's review against another edition
4.0
I just love this author! Everything she writes is fantastic.
danib11's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 *
quick, engaging read that makes you wonder, "how did I get here?".
quick, engaging read that makes you wonder, "how did I get here?".
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Almost a 'time travel' story - a divorcing mother loses her memory and sees her life through new eyes
Better than I was expecting, I picked this up after enjoyed the TV adaptation of the author's 'Big Little Lies' and wanting to see what else she'd written this synopsis grabbed me.
With just as much 'domestic mystery' and hidden facts, this is smart and grabs you.
Alice wakes up in a gym, having hit her head in a fall. Finding she's not the 29-year old pregnant wife she thought, she's flabbergasted to find she's actually 39, with three kids and divorcing the man she thought was the love of her life.
It felt as though a young woman has been able to 'jump' ahead in her life, time travel forward a decade and see what happened, but of course - young Alice was gone and couldn't come back. The character is thus in the unenviable position of catching up, fitting into it, meeting three kids she'd never heard of, and most upsetting of all, trying to accept the fact that her husband no longer loves her. And apparently she feels the same. But can she?
I was caught up in it, such a horrible position to find yourself in. Will her memories come back or will Alice be forever feeling outside of her own life? Not remembering her own children, that was the worst part for me.
As an audio it worked, with Alice narrating as 'young' Alice (sometimes sounding a little TOO young, but it did work as she needs to sound so different to her 'real' self), and a different voice coming through with Elizabeth, Alice's sister also talking to us, as an infertile woman envious of Alice. Their grandma also blogs about her family, which I didn't see at first as relevant, but the connections became clear and poignant later on.
It was rather wonderful. Moving, sad, uplifting, intriguing. The males are voiced well by the female narrator, their characters quite well developed too, for a story narrated by three women. It takes their views into account.
Alice herself is a bit of an enigma for much of the novel, the ultimate unreliable narrator who doesn't even know the truth about her own life, feelings or loves.
Just when I thought the story was wrapping up and another chapter came up, I was initially annoyed as I had enjoyed the ending, I soon realised that the true conclusion worked much better as we got see yet further into Alice's future and just what would happen to everyone.
A story about memory, it's also about making memories and treasuring them. I'll even admit to having a little cry as I listened along. Rather beautifully done, Ms Moriarty.
Better than I was expecting, I picked this up after enjoyed the TV adaptation of the author's 'Big Little Lies' and wanting to see what else she'd written this synopsis grabbed me.
With just as much 'domestic mystery' and hidden facts, this is smart and grabs you.
Alice wakes up in a gym, having hit her head in a fall. Finding she's not the 29-year old pregnant wife she thought, she's flabbergasted to find she's actually 39, with three kids and divorcing the man she thought was the love of her life.
It felt as though a young woman has been able to 'jump' ahead in her life, time travel forward a decade and see what happened, but of course - young Alice was gone and couldn't come back. The character is thus in the unenviable position of catching up, fitting into it, meeting three kids she'd never heard of, and most upsetting of all, trying to accept the fact that her husband no longer loves her. And apparently she feels the same. But can she?
I was caught up in it, such a horrible position to find yourself in. Will her memories come back or will Alice be forever feeling outside of her own life? Not remembering her own children, that was the worst part for me.
As an audio it worked, with Alice narrating as 'young' Alice (sometimes sounding a little TOO young, but it did work as she needs to sound so different to her 'real' self), and a different voice coming through with Elizabeth, Alice's sister also talking to us, as an infertile woman envious of Alice. Their grandma also blogs about her family, which I didn't see at first as relevant, but the connections became clear and poignant later on.
It was rather wonderful. Moving, sad, uplifting, intriguing. The males are voiced well by the female narrator, their characters quite well developed too, for a story narrated by three women. It takes their views into account.
Alice herself is a bit of an enigma for much of the novel, the ultimate unreliable narrator who doesn't even know the truth about her own life, feelings or loves.
Just when I thought the story was wrapping up and another chapter came up, I was initially annoyed as I had enjoyed the ending, I soon realised that the true conclusion worked much better as we got see yet further into Alice's future and just what would happen to everyone.
A story about memory, it's also about making memories and treasuring them. I'll even admit to having a little cry as I listened along. Rather beautifully done, Ms Moriarty.
alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
Book club with mom. Her pick. This was a major "what if" book, and those can make your head spin, if you're not careful. I like the idea of remembering the good in our former selves, of pulling over and stepping out of play for a moment. A long moment.
amandawreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
debbiecollectsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book by Liane Moriarty. I will be looking for more titles by this author. Easy read. Interesting subject on the loss of memory and finding your way back to love!