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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really couldn't get into it. I tried twice, skimmed through a bit and wasn't gripped by anything.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A book that had a lot of potential but failed to deliver.
One of my first issues with the book was that Lily’s character was frustrating. Insecure, unambitious, aimless, she let things happen to her with no resistance or question. It was hard to root for her, and it was even harder to believe someone would fall for her. I read all of the Lily chapters going from one eye roll after another. A lot of the plot points felt convenient — her boss just happened to introduce Matthew to her and not anybody else at the party, Matthew just happened to show up at a random holiday party years after they were apart, somehow they fell madly in love despite having nothing in common. Lily seems to lack everything that defines a character aside from her self-awareness, which was a byproduct of the first person narration.
The timeline in the book went from Lily to her son, Nick, to her mom, May. I think it would have been better to go from Nick, to Lily, then to May. The Lily chapters lack a driving force, a reason for why this story was being told. The whole time, I kept reading thinking, so what? What’s the significance of her meeting this man and seemingly turn her life around? (Also, she can’t keep saying she’s unlucky when she literally married into an uber wealthy family by chance lol). If the Nick chapters went first, I think the exploration into what had happened at each generation would have had more pull and made more sense.
I had a lot of issue with the first person narration. First was that it made every character sounded the same, because of course it’s hard to write in any voice other than your own. Second, because it favored the noticing of random details and disconnected thoughts, sacrificing actual thoughtful commentary. I understand the choice of letting each character speak for their experience, but I’m not sure if the lack of depth came from the choice of voice or the writing itself.
It’s such a shame, because I do think it was a great story with layered meanings worthy of debate. But would I recommend the book to anyone? I don’t think you’re missing out on anything; that is, I don’t think this book touched on its subject better than any other book out there has.
One of my first issues with the book was that Lily’s character was frustrating. Insecure, unambitious, aimless, she let things happen to her with no resistance or question. It was hard to root for her, and it was even harder to believe someone would fall for her. I read all of the Lily chapters going from one eye roll after another. A lot of the plot points felt convenient — her boss just happened to introduce Matthew to her and not anybody else at the party, Matthew just happened to show up at a random holiday party years after they were apart, somehow they fell madly in love despite having nothing in common. Lily seems to lack everything that defines a character aside from her self-awareness, which was a byproduct of the first person narration.
The timeline in the book went from Lily to her son, Nick, to her mom, May. I think it would have been better to go from Nick, to Lily, then to May. The Lily chapters lack a driving force, a reason for why this story was being told. The whole time, I kept reading thinking, so what? What’s the significance of her meeting this man and seemingly turn her life around? (Also, she can’t keep saying she’s unlucky when she literally married into an uber wealthy family by chance lol). If the Nick chapters went first, I think the exploration into what had happened at each generation would have had more pull and made more sense.
I had a lot of issue with the first person narration. First was that it made every character sounded the same, because of course it’s hard to write in any voice other than your own. Second, because it favored the noticing of random details and disconnected thoughts, sacrificing actual thoughtful commentary. I understand the choice of letting each character speak for their experience, but I’m not sure if the lack of depth came from the choice of voice or the writing itself.
It’s such a shame, because I do think it was a great story with layered meanings worthy of debate. But would I recommend the book to anyone? I don’t think you’re missing out on anything; that is, I don’t think this book touched on its subject better than any other book out there has.
emotional
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
reflective
fast-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