Finished audio 3-15-12, rating 3.75/5, fiction, pub. 2010
Unabridged audio 9 hours 30 minutes. Read by Hope Davis.
Mary Beth Latham has a nice family. She and her husband still share a romantic love life even with three teenagers in the house. Their oldest daughter, 17 year old Ruby, and her long-time boyfriend Kiernan are breaking up, which is hard since he was like part of their family. One of her 14 year old twins, Max, is having growing pains and might need to start seeing a therapist. All pretty standard fare in a fiction novel. Until…
Well, let’s just say, something happens. Something that moves the story from a story about motherhood to one about family tragedy. There is really no way to review this book without giving too much away, so I won’t give details, but I did mostly like it. The shocking event wasn’t totally unforseen, but it threw the trajectory of the story off just enough to make the book seem like two separate books. I had some issues with the story before and then after, but the book was ambitious.
I know I read reviews for this but because I waited a while to read it I didn’t remember them, which was a good thing. If you like your fiction on the darker side I think this would appeal to you.
Have you read it? Without giving too much away what did you think of the twist in the middle? I give it a thumbs up just for shock value.
I thought the narration by Davis was excellent.
This was from my library.
Stacy's Books 
I wouldn’t want a steady diet of darker books but do enjoy books like this from time to time.
It was definitely different 🙂
Jim read it and liked it, but I think he also thought of it as a “before” and “after” story.
Nice to know I’m not the only one who felt that way!
NO ONE ever says what happens … which makes me want to know. But I’m mad at Quindlen and don’t know if I want to read this. ARGH!
Did you and Anna have a spat? I wonder if this would help you patch things up.
I liked this one a lot. The twist threw me for a huge loop, I definitely wasn’t expecting that at all.
I haven’t got to this one yet. Good to know it may be a bit dark.
I did not like the mother in this one (audio version also). Her latest memoir is awesome for a baby boomer like me.
Quindlen always write about intense subject matter – so I know this one will probably affect me. I tend to shy away from novels about family tragedies as I end up sobbing the whole time.
I’ve had this book on my shelf forever. Hopefully I’ll have time to read it soon because you’ve made me curious about the twist!
I haven’t read it but I now I want to!!!! Thanks for the addition to another audio book for me!! Yay!
I liked it and if the incident wouldnt have happened I may have put it down.. It got good quick. ha
well darn stacy! I’m going to have to read this one 🙂
thanks for no spoilers.
My previous experience with Quindlen wasn’t very positive (almost gave up) until this one. I gave it a 4/5, and I wasn’t surprised by the twist.