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cami19's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sunshine608's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for this book, but it fell a little short for me.
The character's started out interesting but Noelle the former fast girl turned Orthodox Jew, married and living in Israel. The middle child Clarissa struggling with the beginning of infertility and the baby Lily, struggling with how to define herself and her relationship with her boyfriend of 10 years. All return to their family's summer home on the anniversary of their baby brother's Leo's death and the unveiling of his "marker"(?). I was initially intrigued by all the character's, including the parents who use this time to announce their intent to divorce. However about half way in it felt like Noelle took up a lot of the story and I grew bored with her and her marriage to Anram. Lilly didn't really flesh out, most of her scenes and back story seemed to involved Leo's widow Thisbe whom once you got over the name ( or maybe I'm just becoming a cynic about names), you could enjoy.
THe climax of the book seemed to be the memorial service which was just tributes to Leo and not a lot of action. After that the book seemed to continue downhill, a random showing by the long, lost ( or rather reclusive grandmother) and honestly a lot of other stuff that I couldn't get into.
I'm not sure of this was more a case of too much hype( i even pledged to read this to get my grandmother a copy of the O magazine) or what but I wasn't feeling it at all. I hurried through the end and almost missed a key plot point but I was just wanting to get to the end.
The character's started out interesting but Noelle the former fast girl turned Orthodox Jew, married and living in Israel. The middle child Clarissa struggling with the beginning of infertility and the baby Lily, struggling with how to define herself and her relationship with her boyfriend of 10 years. All return to their family's summer home on the anniversary of their baby brother's Leo's death and the unveiling of his "marker"(?). I was initially intrigued by all the character's, including the parents who use this time to announce their intent to divorce. However about half way in it felt like Noelle took up a lot of the story and I grew bored with her and her marriage to Anram. Lilly didn't really flesh out, most of her scenes and back story seemed to involved Leo's widow Thisbe whom once you got over the name ( or maybe I'm just becoming a cynic about names), you could enjoy.
THe climax of the book seemed to be the memorial service which was just tributes to Leo and not a lot of action. After that the book seemed to continue downhill, a random showing by the long, lost ( or rather reclusive grandmother) and honestly a lot of other stuff that I couldn't get into.
I'm not sure of this was more a case of too much hype( i even pledged to read this to get my grandmother a copy of the O magazine) or what but I wasn't feeling it at all. I hurried through the end and almost missed a key plot point but I was just wanting to get to the end.
dsbressette's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite types of books....it takes place over the 4th of July holiday and explores the dynamics of a family. Fantastic read!
readwithtabi's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't finish the book, stopped midway. The premise of the book holds so much promise, but the actual execution was poor. The author is very disorganized and jumps from one thought to the next, then returns to the former thought. It was very confusing to follow. I feel as if he has too many characters to portray and just couldn't balance it in a meaningful way. Also for me the characters lacked motivation for their opinions and actions. There was opportunities to show but it was withheld, and when characters took action it seemed unnecessary and extreme. The nature of the relationships were somewhat alluded to, but never really sure, as background would be given but then the characters would act differently in the relationships. It was also very drawn out, with little to no moving forward in the plot. I kept reading, hoping more would be uncovered and hoping this book would hold suspense, but no such avail. I found myself bored.
kategci's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy from bookbrowse.com as part of their online book group where I have commented. This is another dysfunctional family novel taking place at a vacation home (see The Middlesteins and Maine), this time in the Berkshires. It is July 4th and the Frankels are gathered for the unveiling for their son and brother Leo who was a journalist killed in the Iraq war the previous July 4th. Joshua Henkin writes well about sibling life, and captures the way grief can tear people from each other as well as bring them closer. Leo's three older sisters have gone on to have very different lives and the book is at its best during their differing interactions. If you like dysfunctional family stories, this a goo example.
lilcoop71's review against another edition
3.0
I actually finished this last week and read another book since then...and pretty much forgot about this one. So that says something! I did like it, but I didn't love it. There were some silly little errors that threw me off (editing issues) and I felt disconnected from all of the characters. Not a bad read, but nothing to write home about.
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
4.0
Henkin is skilled at this type of character study. Each character in The World Without You is expertly written. That's not to say that they are all likeable, but the authenticity is there. I was drawn in and wanted to know what would happen next, even when I was irritated or annoyed by some of the characters and their constant arguing with each other. Part of the reason is that they seem so real.
If you're looking for an action-packed story, this isn't it, but if you appreciate good writing and a cast of well-drawn characters, then you might enjoy this novel. I especially liked the ending, which was lovely and a bit of a surprise.
(Please note I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.)
If you're looking for an action-packed story, this isn't it, but if you appreciate good writing and a cast of well-drawn characters, then you might enjoy this novel. I especially liked the ending, which was lovely and a bit of a surprise.
(Please note I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.)
wsk56's review against another edition
3.0
This novel got good reviews. I think I liked the idea of the book more than the actual book itself. The story and setting were good ones. A family is meeting in Massachusetts for the one year memorial of the death of Leo, a journalist in his early thirties that died in Iraq. At their summer house, Leo's mother and father, his widow and his three sisters arrive, along with the husbands of two of the sisters and several children. Each character's relationship with one another is teased out and Leo's character is developed through the eyes of these family members. We see how the family is coping with Leo's death and to the unraveling of relationships within the family. Some of the characters are not well developed, such as the mother, father and one of the sisters. The idea is that when a family is struck with a huge blow such as a death, the members of the family each deal with it in their own way. Adjustments occur, not always for the better. They must learn to carry on in the world without the person who has died. The crux of the story is that changes occur in these characters and the event of the memorial serves to unveil a new balance in the way they relate to one another. While I admire the approach to the story, I didn't really like these characters very much and so did not feel much affinity to them. Without affection for the characters, I found myself not caring much how it turned out. And while it did have a hopeful ending, I wished the author had made me feel more emotion about it.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
Wow talk about no action. The story is told almost entirely through dialog. I really didn't like any of the (insanely self-centered) characters by the end of the book, but redemption came unexpectedly with the last chapter.