Short Simple Book Summary: This book is based in Australia and focuses on three separate families (and more specifically – the women who are predominant in each of three families). The story is based upon one of the women (of the 3 families) who discovers a letter her husband left for her to open upon his death. The curve ball here is the wife finds the letter, on accident, prior to her husband’s death. The story describes her life (as well as the other 2 families involved) and how the finding of this letter evolves and effects everyone in the book. It is a story of the past meeting with the present, the repercussions of decisions and indecision and of self discovery.
What I liked (LOVED) about this book: In a few words – almost everything. To be more specific; I loved the writing style which was clean, concise, well edited and well structured. I enjoyed the characterization. The author has a very thorough knowledge and understanding of her creations. Some make think this is a simple minded and ill suited point to make, however I’ve read quite a few books where it felt like the author didn’t know their subjects and simply didn’t know/write enough about them to make them interesting, hateful, or evoke any other emotion because they were simply sketched as opposed to completely formed. These characters feel like real people who you may know due to the careful and attentive description the author immerses the readers in. We know their inner most thoughts, their ticks, what they enjoy, dislike, what holds them together, and ultimately, what can tear them apart.
The author weaves past and present together along with three separate people/families (and several primary secondary persons) expertly, meshing plot points but not in a fashion where it feels as if there is an information nugget being force fed because it is required for story progression…but rather because it is just the flow of a well told story.
We see the three separate group of lives fully developed in their own right and then the strands that tie them, however tenuous, together begin to gather strength and weight which holds up a well crafted and thought provoking story overflowing with emotional and raw grittiness, humor, fragility, intellect and many other delightful facets. Eventually those tenuous strands linking them together aren’t as delicate as one may initially perceive and begin to form together in both expected and unexpected ways.
The book shows comedy and tragedy, paths of self discovery, love and hate and the full range of human emotion. The stories are heart rending and devastating and also redeeming. There is so much to this book that I didn’t expect and I truly can’t praise it enough. I tore through this and didn’t want to put it down. I experienced some extremely strong emotional reactions in many places. Emotions reserved for true stories. Rarely has a work of fiction made me FEEL as this book did. I would suggest it to anyone. I truly dreaded the ending even as I anticipated learning the outcome(s). I will certainly read this book again. So very enjoyable.
I never heard of this author prior to this book but if her other works are half as good as this she will have a devoted new reader.
I can’t pretend that I didn’t figure out some elements of what was coming before having it revealed but it didn’t detract from the reading experience for me at all. The ebb and flow is so perfect and the details so rich and full I never felt like I missed anything, was cheated, or that feeling you sometimes get where you, “AH HA!”, at the author when you see the direction of the story. It was perfectly mapped out and there was still much to learn and know even when the larger plot point was picked up on early on in the tale. This isn’t a thriller or a mystery, it’s a beautiful tragic story about life, relationships, love and discovering or rediscovering (reclaiming?) yourself.
I highly suggest this book. It was an amazing reading experience and I never once scanned while reading the book, which is huge for me. I was captivated the entire time and feel (this will sound very cheesy) better for having read this book. It would have been a shame to pass on this gem. It is for sure one of the best books I’ve read in the last several years and I read on average about 4 new books a week.
Excellent book even if some of the ending I couldn’t imagine occurring as it did! (But if you stop after reading the book and play those scenarios and thoughts out the book has you continuing the story after the final page and THAT, in my opinion, is one of the signs of a great story!
What I didn’t like: my husband interrupted several times while reading this book for trivial matters such as sleep and food consumption. I hated to waste the time doing these mundane requirements when I could have been devouring this wonderful work.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Please take a chance on this one if you are on the fence.
5 enthusiastic – whole hearted - stars!
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more
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Reviews with images
Great read.
Loved the book!!!! Such a fun and easy read! However, the quality of my book is why I’m only giving 4 stars. When I received my book I noticed 3 pages were not bound to the book. Pictures to show.
Top reviews from other countries
alvaro rodriguez guerra
Sumamente intrigante
Reviewed in Spain on November 16, 2021