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bexlrose's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable book. Highly recommend. Although I only really recommend it if you are either single or in a happy relationship, as it is DEEPLY cynical and if you're not happy it may well make you question everything! A very strong 4 stars.
toofondofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This is a novel that I got from NetGalley and I had a couple of false starts with it before deciding to borrow the audio book from the library and I have to admit that it did work better for me on audio. The novel opens with Toby Fleishman – a recently separated 41 year old who is suddenly having to cope with his two children on his own as his wife Rachel has seemingly had enough. What follows is a self-obsessed, arrogant man who spends pages and pages telling us all about the women he’s slept with or is flirting with online. In between that he’s constantly bad-mouthing Rachel. He never lets up! I had heard that this novel has a big twist partway through that makes it so worth the first half but to be honest I guessed what would happen. Ultimately, I just felt very sorry for the two children caught up in this, and to a lesser extent for Rachel. I did enjoy the latter stage of the book more than the first part but ultimately it wasn’t a novel for me.
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
dellaposta's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes funny, sometimes dark and depressing, but readable and engaging throughout. This is certainly far from a perfect book. For example, I found the sudden shifts between Toby’s perspective and that of the narrator, who I sometimes forgot existed, to be way too jarring. Still, I found the book as a whole to be sharply observed and interesting on several levels - as a novel about divorce, trauma, perspective, social class, and gender, with even some “mystery” elements and late plot reveals that keep the narrative propelling forward.
ellie705's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kmreadstheworld's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
tylerkatherine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
vyarmolchuk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Toby is one of the most annoying characters. Glad a dog pissed on him
slerner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
erinfoose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookworm2212's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not really sure if my frustration/intense hatred for some of the characters and their (in my view) completely selfish inability to love properly was deliberate or not. If it was, it succeeded! I can't help feeling the main ma man was a bit cartoonish to aid the point the author was trying to make. Could a 40 something man really be so un self aware/unempathetic?!! I know 20 year old men that are more self aware and treat women better! Also maybe I'm just too young (24) but it really annoyed me that the characters could not communicate.