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synth's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't expect a story like that. I certainly didn't think the dying husband would only die at the end of the penultimate chapter ; so that the entirety of the book, and the entirety of the development of their relationship happens in technically-cheating limbo .
In short (and far from exhaustively), for a story about wlw, it is way too hetnorm and male-centered with a generous dollop of casual misogyny*. All the significant women in this story are here to support and better and care for the men in their life, with no real reciprocity to speak of (except at times the gay best friend...).
And let's be clear here, it is not commendable or honorable that a wife should be expected to spent 24/7 with her ailing husband. No one should. Despite what the fluffy, loving, never strenuous relationship depicted here wants you to think, it can only be unhealthy and reciprocally toxic. This book never questions the husband's entitlement to his wife's time and feelings, and only depicts him as this loving, reasonable spouse when in truth he regularly exhibits selfish and/or entitled behaviors. On the other hand, let's not condone the unhealthy disregard for her husband's agency that the love interest exhibits when she is in unhappy away from the main character (not that it isn't understandable in some ways, but there is literally zero comment on it).
It also nevers touches on the horrendous governmental policies regarding people with disabilities but I can't say I expected any given that this is an ode to the military on the side.
* The insignificant women are bimbos despised by the family to highlight the unhealthy rivalry between the young butch main character and her brother, seeminlgy there only to show her desirability and playgirl-ness and how her love interest is "not like other women" with all but spelling it.
In short (and far from exhaustively), for a story about wlw, it is way too hetnorm and male-centered with a generous dollop of casual misogyny*. All the significant women in this story are here to support and better and care for the men in their life, with no real reciprocity to speak of (except at times the gay best friend...).
And let's be clear here, it is not commendable or honorable that a wife should be expected to spent 24/7 with her ailing husband. No one should. Despite what the fluffy, loving, never strenuous relationship depicted here wants you to think, it can only be unhealthy and reciprocally toxic. This book never questions the husband's entitlement to his wife's time and feelings, and only depicts him as this loving, reasonable spouse when in truth he regularly exhibits selfish and/or entitled behaviors. On the other hand, let's not condone the unhealthy disregard for her husband's agency that the love interest exhibits when she is in unhappy away from the main character (not that it isn't understandable in some ways, but there is literally zero comment on it).
It also nevers touches on the horrendous governmental policies regarding people with disabilities but I can't say I expected any given that this is an ode to the military on the side.
* The insignificant women are bimbos despised by the family to highlight the unhealthy rivalry between the young butch main character and her brother, seeminlgy there only to show her desirability and playgirl-ness and how her love interest is "not like other women" with all but spelling it.
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