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bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
This book was seriously, seriously weird, as was my reading experience with it. On the one hand, I never really liked the main character as I found him obnoxious, pedantic, and emitting a faint whiff of undeserved superiority. Yet something about the book's chatty narrative style drew me in.
I guess you could say this book is a meditation on marriage and its challenges, ups, and downs. I felt like the cult-like Pact that the characters belong to was a framing device for these meditations on marriage. It's a really weird device, though. It was hard to suspend my disbelief at times, since the cult-like Pact is just so weird, but then I didn't think the book was all that far-fetched given the weirdness of cults that have actually existed.
In the end, I don't even know what to make of this book. It was suspenseful, trying to figure out what was going to happen with the Pact, but it was also oddly detached. I didn't dislike the book, but I don't think I really like it either.
I guess you could say this book is a meditation on marriage and its challenges, ups, and downs. I felt like the cult-like Pact that the characters belong to was a framing device for these meditations on marriage. It's a really weird device, though. It was hard to suspend my disbelief at times, since the cult-like Pact is just so weird, but then I didn't think the book was all that far-fetched given the weirdness of cults that have actually existed.
In the end, I don't even know what to make of this book. It was suspenseful, trying to figure out what was going to happen with the Pact, but it was also oddly detached. I didn't dislike the book, but I don't think I really like it either.
vro521's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
crackedspine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
knewberr's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
namitakhanna's review against another edition
3.0
The Marriage Pact is a creepy psychological thriller by Michelle Richmond
Jake is a therapist and Alice, a musician turned attorney, who receive an invitation to join The Pact as a wedding present . On joining The Pact they receive a Manual that has a list of rules and regulations that they have to follow so as to keep their marriage happy and intact. If there are some infractions punishments are meted out ranging from mild to severe. The Pact is extreme and everywhere but once you join there is no escape from this cult like group.
The book started off real well and I enjoyed Michelle Richmond’s writing .The concept is interesting and it did keep me intrigued but fell short of my expectations. The story is narrated from only Jake’s point of view and leaves Alice’s perspective out of the picture. The part that really bothered me was Jake was portrayed as this perfect husband and Alice trying to prove herself worthy of his love. The ending was anticlimactic as well thus my rating 3 stars .
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Bantam & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Jake is a therapist and Alice, a musician turned attorney, who receive an invitation to join The Pact as a wedding present . On joining The Pact they receive a Manual that has a list of rules and regulations that they have to follow so as to keep their marriage happy and intact. If there are some infractions punishments are meted out ranging from mild to severe. The Pact is extreme and everywhere but once you join there is no escape from this cult like group.
The book started off real well and I enjoyed Michelle Richmond’s writing .The concept is interesting and it did keep me intrigued but fell short of my expectations. The story is narrated from only Jake’s point of view and leaves Alice’s perspective out of the picture. The part that really bothered me was Jake was portrayed as this perfect husband and Alice trying to prove herself worthy of his love. The ending was anticlimactic as well thus my rating 3 stars .
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Bantam & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
shelbfish5's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
roglows's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, this is a rough one. More of a 3.5 to 4 stars.
On one hand, I enjoyed the direct approach to the prose. Descriptive without being flowery. I liked the premise a lot, as disturbing as it was. It reminded me a tiny bit of The Girl Before; a legalistic, overly strict approach to a lifestyle and how those seductive boundaries soon become stifling. Murderously so.
On the other hand, the whole book made me anxious and sometimes the characters got on my nerves. Jake could be too perfect at times. Alice too inconsiderate. With regard to traditional marriage/gender roles, I liked that their roles were kind of flipped (he's the devoted therapist, always home to make dinner and welcome her. She's the successful, over the top busy attorney, always late to dinner and leaving messes). There were a lot of references to the bourgeoisie lifestyle (I get it; I've lived in the Bay Area), so many I started rolling my eyes. Were these indulgent or ironic? Couldn't tell.
I just don't know. TMP was certainly an ambitious undertaking. I loved the varied approaches on marriage and what of means to different people. Some of it felt a bit heavy handed (if not a bit preachy). Sometimes I really enjoyed this book, other times I just wanted it to end. The ending was, in fact, quite satisfying. This would make an excellent movie or show.
**got an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
On one hand, I enjoyed the direct approach to the prose. Descriptive without being flowery. I liked the premise a lot, as disturbing as it was. It reminded me a tiny bit of The Girl Before; a legalistic, overly strict approach to a lifestyle and how those seductive boundaries soon become stifling. Murderously so.
On the other hand, the whole book made me anxious and sometimes the characters got on my nerves. Jake could be too perfect at times. Alice too inconsiderate. With regard to traditional marriage/gender roles, I liked that their roles were kind of flipped (he's the devoted therapist, always home to make dinner and welcome her. She's the successful, over the top busy attorney, always late to dinner and leaving messes). There were a lot of references to the bourgeoisie lifestyle (I get it; I've lived in the Bay Area), so many I started rolling my eyes. Were these indulgent or ironic? Couldn't tell.
I just don't know. TMP was certainly an ambitious undertaking. I loved the varied approaches on marriage and what of means to different people. Some of it felt a bit heavy handed (if not a bit preachy). Sometimes I really enjoyed this book, other times I just wanted it to end. The ending was, in fact, quite satisfying. This would make an excellent movie or show.
**got an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
bethmorvant's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I definitely think had I read this 3+ years ago, I would have given this five stars. It’s a good read and would recommend it to those who love psychological thrillers that have that cult element to it.
I definitely think had I read this 3+ years ago, I would have given this five stars. It’s a good read and would recommend it to those who love psychological thrillers that have that cult element to it.
deanab's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very good, fast-paced book; however, towards the end it did seem to drag out the story a bit.