I knew from all of the reviews that there wasn’t much plot, so that didn’t bother me as much as how condescendingly cerebral this book was. That being said, there is some really beautiful wording, particularly around what love feels like, the study of language, and being in a foreign environment. (I also appreciated the descriptions of Boston/Cambridge.)

Wow. This book took me awhile because it was so emotionally heavy, I had to put it down and do something else for awhile before I could pick it back up again. Field writes in a way that brings you right into the moment, even moments that took place decades ago, and brings you along on her journey of admitting truths to herself about all of the trauma she has experienced. Her descriptions of acting - as her emotional release, her true love, her craft - were beautiful, especially interwoven with what was occurring in her personal life. What a remarkable woman.

PS: This book made me call my mom and thank her for being my mom

I really really enjoyed the plot and the concept of this book. But I wish it was a little less obvious with the messages of women's rights, intimate partner violence, the pressure men - especially immigrant men - feel to provide, etc. Maybe it's because I work on these issues, but I felt like these messages could have been a lot stronger if they were more nuanced and less straightforward - "show, don't tell," I guess. I also felt that in trying to draw parallels between women's experiences, especially mothers and daughters, the author made many of the female characters too similar. One of the best endings to a book I've ever read, though. It will stick with me for a long time.