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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Read Round the World 2023: Australia and New Zealand (Sydney)
I have enjoyed watching Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers but this is the first book I've read by Liane Moriarty. I dithered for a while before picking this book and I'm glad I picked it!
The premise is that Alice forgets the last ten years of her life after hitting her head. She thinks that she is 29 years old with her first baby on the way, only to find that she is 39 years old, has three kids, and is divorcing the husband that she feels very much in love with right now!
I love what-if books, books about the road not traveled and books that are nostalgic if they aren't sacharine. This book hit all of those buttons for me. The Alice that I got to know in the book is sweet, a little ditzy, and laid back, and she can't figure out how she got to the point where she exercises compulsively, snaps at her kids all the time, and has no love left for her husband.
We also get to know Alice's sister Libby. Alice thinks that the two of them are close only to find that they have drifted apart. We read Libby's therapy "homework" as she tries to process her grief about her infertility and see how the sisters have become distant over time. As someone who has never wanted kids, I have a hard time relating to a character whose whole identity is that of an Infertile (this is what she calls herself, capitalization and all) but I still had some sympathy for Libby because the author is skilled at writing sympathetic characters.
I was rooting along with Alice for her marriage to rekindle. Moriarty is great at creating relationships that feel realistic, imperfect but with love there. She's also good at making a big cast of characters come to life. I was impressed by this book and would definitely read more by her.
I have enjoyed watching Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers but this is the first book I've read by Liane Moriarty. I dithered for a while before picking this book and I'm glad I picked it!
The premise is that Alice forgets the last ten years of her life after hitting her head. She thinks that she is 29 years old with her first baby on the way, only to find that she is 39 years old, has three kids, and is divorcing the husband that she feels very much in love with right now!
I love what-if books, books about the road not traveled and books that are nostalgic if they aren't sacharine. This book hit all of those buttons for me. The Alice that I got to know in the book is sweet, a little ditzy, and laid back, and she can't figure out how she got to the point where she exercises compulsively, snaps at her kids all the time, and has no love left for her husband.
We also get to know Alice's sister Libby. Alice thinks that the two of them are close only to find that they have drifted apart. We read Libby's therapy "homework" as she tries to process her grief about her infertility and see how the sisters have become distant over time. As someone who has never wanted kids, I have a hard time relating to a character whose whole identity is that of an Infertile (this is what she calls herself, capitalization and all) but I still had some sympathy for Libby because the author is skilled at writing sympathetic characters.
I was rooting along with Alice for her marriage to rekindle. Moriarty is great at creating relationships that feel realistic, imperfect but with love there. She's also good at making a big cast of characters come to life. I was impressed by this book and would definitely read more by her.
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
What if you forgot 10 years of your life? Interesting premise.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyed this book thoroughly! Great job pacing and the characters are relatable and more developed than expected.
Hitting my Top 20 favourite books of all time, this book had my full attention for the entire time I was reading.
Aside from being a great read, it really made me question the stupid things I hold onto- so what if I give in and let my husband win this petty fight. Does it really matter if I look like a supermum to the other women at school? A great lesson in holding onto what matters, and letting go of everything else.
Aside from being a great read, it really made me question the stupid things I hold onto- so what if I give in and let my husband win this petty fight. Does it really matter if I look like a supermum to the other women at school? A great lesson in holding onto what matters, and letting go of everything else.