Helpful Score: 7
I was so disappointed in this book. I loved The Dive from Clausen's Pier, but not this one. I ended up skimming the last 50 pages to get it over with. I felt like she never got to the point and the writing danced around what it was really trying to say. She was also unable to get me emotionally involved with these characters and I didn't care how it ended.
Helpful Score: 4
Although I read this book all the way through, I must say that I just didn't âget into itâ that much. I just felt so removed from the characters and, in many ways, not much happened. I was disappointed in this book as I had enjoyed The Dive From Clausen's Pier.
Helpful Score: 1
Overall, I liked the book. In fact, I liked it better than "The Dive From Clausen's Pier". However, with that said, a lot of the description simply didn't ring true for me. Someone else mentioned that the male characters were written as stereotypical or "stock" men, and I can agree with that assessment to some extent. Brody, Liz's husband, was rarely home due to his high-powered job with his friend's internet security company, yet he still managed to forge a connection to his second child (and only son) Joe.
I kept waiting for a deeper exploration of the pains and myths driving all of these characters. I wanted more backstory on Sarabeth's home and family life--didn't get it. I wanted Sarabeth as well to be a better adult. Pining over the loss of a married boyfriend and mooning over another man who was also married (but looking) had me liking her far less. Everyone in the book (except for a couple of the doctors) seemed to be a pitiful victim of their own inability to act properly.
The ending was completely unsatisfactory. It really did feel contrived, and I was upset with the author for giving us such a tepid resolution.
I kept waiting for a deeper exploration of the pains and myths driving all of these characters. I wanted more backstory on Sarabeth's home and family life--didn't get it. I wanted Sarabeth as well to be a better adult. Pining over the loss of a married boyfriend and mooning over another man who was also married (but looking) had me liking her far less. Everyone in the book (except for a couple of the doctors) seemed to be a pitiful victim of their own inability to act properly.
The ending was completely unsatisfactory. It really did feel contrived, and I was upset with the author for giving us such a tepid resolution.
