sllyllyd's Reviews (277)

Hard to review a book when you didn’t enjoy it but appreciated that it was well written. The main character, Lucy, was flawed and very real. She makes big mistakes and thinks poorly of herself and others. It’s a really interesting story about love, sex and obsession. Parts I really enjoyed and read faster than others but, ultimately, I didn’t enjoy the story or the resolution at the end. And I felt really sorry for Lucy’s sister!

I loved this book. I enjoyed the story so much and got completely engrossed that I may well have missed any writing flaws that it has

Loved this. Most accessible Booker Prize winner I’ve ever read (and/ or finished!)

I think this was the favourite of the three books. Characters were starting to feel like family!

Really enjoyed this read. It’s set out clearly and methodically and in an easy to read fashion.
Arlan’s story is amazing and is inspiration for us all about deciding our own futures.

A really lovely read about one big friendship, and how that journey led to the research and analysis of big friendships as a whole. Just really interesting! Gave me a lot of food for thought about my own relationships, how they’ve changed over the years and how I might conduct them going forward.
I recommend this for anyone who has big friendships (whether they are constant or come and go)

I'm so conflicted about this book! As a White Woman currently around the same age as the author - lots of parts kind of spoke to me - and others made me revile in disagreement.

It's classic priv-lit - but at least the author is fully aware of this and looks it straight on and even mocks herself and her previous beliefs.

Ultimately a lot of the lessons the author learned - as if they were lightbulb moments for ALL women and not just her - grated with me and turned me off a little. Yes, she mocked her previous beliefs, but what is she mocking right now that she's going to mock in the future? I was left with the feeling that she was only open minded to the things she was open minded about because of personal experience and navel gazing - and was not outward looking (or even learning to be).

However, I could be wrong - happy to be so and, even writing what I've written, I would read / look into her work for the future to see how it changes. (But I certainly wouldn't go backwards where she is writing about the life she was walked away from)

And... if you like Elizabeth Gilbert - you will like this book!