The Book That Matters Most
Ridiculous, but the right book at the right time.
SPOILER ALERT! - To the guest reader, the following will reveal all sorts of plot details. If you wish to remain blissfully ignorant, leave now.
Artie 6
Thought the idea was spectacular. It had a great theme and many parts, for example Julien and Maggie's relationship were gripping. But the character development started off strong then dripped away. The book club members themselves were scripted, far-fetched, and formulaic. The concept was great, and he liked what the author did comparing and contrasting light and dark themes throughout. Artie mentioned it would be interesting to try some of the techniques they tried as a book club, choosing all books at the beginning of the year, the person who chooses the book leads the discussion, etc, and he was lucky to leave with both legs unbroken.
Miles 4
Was excited by the concept, but wouldn't recommend. Wrote down the characters and poof! Couldn't think of anything to say about them. Eva and Luke's hooking up. Gross. This sentiment was echoed by everyone. Couldn't find anything positive about Eva. Her ex-husband wants to get back together out of the blue, and then this thread is dropped just as quickly as it arrived. This, among other odd narrative choices, felt like getting hit in the nose. The writing wasn't terrible but there were odd inconsistencies and he wasn't confident that the author had read the books the book club had selected. Needed more substance from the characters.
K'Lynn 5
Found this a quick and easy read. She enjoyed the parts about Maggie more than Eva who bored her. She was pretty sure there were theme connections between the chosen books, and wanted to make them, but didn't really make an effort. What book mattered the most to you? Thought this was a great question. Two of the books they read, The Great Gatsby, and Catcher in the Rye, are loved by K'lynn.
Maggie 6
Found this to be the right sort of book at the right time. Read in one sitting. Found it contrived as a story, and rather sappy, but very much liked the theme. Reading about Maggie and Julien was uncomfortable, but Maggie shared how her daughter said that Lolita is very uncomfortable reading, but also beautiful writing. She thought Maggie came off heroin far too easily. It was ridiculous, but the right book at the right time.
Me 5.5
I too found this an easy read and that's probably why I rated it as highly as I did. I will likely forget just about everything in it except the Julien/Maggie storyline which crackled with tension. The mystery of who wrote From Clare to Here and why Eva's sister died wasn't compelling at all and I don't buy that a cop would dig into the story after all those years, guilt or no guilt. The book club dialogue was sappy, but I found myself enjoying it overall. I guess fluff has its place and I hadn't read anything too fluffy for a while.
Letitia 7
Found this an enjoyable light read with a happy ending. She didn't disagree with anything that was said, but still found it a fun book that she didn't have to work hard at, although the chapters on Maggie were terrifying and gripping.
Sandy 7
So flipping mad at me because I undid her 'notes'. And yes, I did unfold the dog-eared pages at the bottom of her book. SORRY! Sandy loved that it was set in Providence which is where she's from. She cooked us up a batch of Chop Suey which is mentioned in the book, though I confess not remembering it. It was good Sandy, and tastes pretty much like the spaghetti my mom would make from elbow macaroni when we were out of spaghetti noodles. But I digress. She would recommend this as a beach read, though she usually doesn't have patience for books like this. Eva would have gotten her ass tossed out of our book club for not reading the first two books and lying about inviting the author. Good thing too because Sandy said she'd shoot the mom if she were to show up after all those years. She might not have liked this at any other time and place, but it made her laugh out loud.
Becky 5.5 - 5.25
Liked reading about the book club members and would like to see Sandy dressed up as a character the way their book club leader did. She referred to the men in the club as tokens. Still trying to get worked up about this but as a privileged white male in 2017 it's more than I can muster. The yarn bomber character bugged her. So did the fact that Eva's ex-husband comes back. Why? Where exactly was Eva's mom this whole time? Why did Eva visit Maggie in France and then just leave? The ending was too neat with very few details.
Carolyn 6
Was bothered by the chapters about Maggie. She kept trying to figure out who wrote Clare to Here. For a while she thought maybe Hank the cop's wife had. She also thought Penny's message was, "I wrote the book." She liked the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, found the Luke and Eva relationship 'gross,' and didn't care for the ending with all of its unlikely coincidences.
Comments