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shimmery's review against another edition
4.0
Charles is struggling. Every day he drives out to the coast and looks across to Portugal, dreaming of a life different to the one he currently lives, one that is complete with lacklustre marriage, failing business and a house that the bank might take from him any moment. One day, picking up the paper, he sees a photograph of a woman he fell in love with when they were both 14, he hasn’t seen her since but is compelled to write to her.
This book is devastating. It’s beautifully written, heartbreaking, nostalgic and romantic. It captures how sad and unfathomable the passing of time can be, the contrast between the simplicity of childhood and the complications of adulthood, with all its strange duties. It looks at the curious way we can end up living a life we never particularly wanted or imagined.
I see a lot of other reviews on here focussing on how 'unrealistic' it is that two people would abandon their marriages to take a chance on a relationship they had for a week when they were teenagers. I think that is missing the point. They don't solely want to leave their current lives to be with each other. I think Shreve does a great job of setting this story against a background of hard times and sadness. The relationship is like a last hope, a way to focus on a time before they knew all the sadnesses they know now. The pursuit of the relationship represents their yearning for things to have been different, as if, if they return to it, they can erase all the sad things that have happened to them in the 36 years between their meetings. Even the characters know they are fooling themselves, but their lives are crashing down around them and they can't help but imagine that everything will be OK if they are together. I think it's a very human story, and found it totally believable.
This book is devastating. It’s beautifully written, heartbreaking, nostalgic and romantic. It captures how sad and unfathomable the passing of time can be, the contrast between the simplicity of childhood and the complications of adulthood, with all its strange duties. It looks at the curious way we can end up living a life we never particularly wanted or imagined.
I see a lot of other reviews on here focussing on how 'unrealistic' it is that two people would abandon their marriages to take a chance on a relationship they had for a week when they were teenagers. I think that is missing the point. They don't solely want to leave their current lives to be with each other. I think Shreve does a great job of setting this story against a background of hard times and sadness. The relationship is like a last hope, a way to focus on a time before they knew all the sadnesses they know now. The pursuit of the relationship represents their yearning for things to have been different, as if, if they return to it, they can erase all the sad things that have happened to them in the 36 years between their meetings. Even the characters know they are fooling themselves, but their lives are crashing down around them and they can't help but imagine that everything will be OK if they are together. I think it's a very human story, and found it totally believable.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
i didn't give this book a fair chance, but after reading just a few pages, i couldn't get into the plot.
and after reading thoughts on it here, i don't wait to waste precious reading time.
on to greener pastures!
and after reading thoughts on it here, i don't wait to waste precious reading time.
on to greener pastures!
evawhite's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcohol
lori_mw's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed in this book, compared with other Anita Shreve books I've read. I didn't really buy the relationship between Charles and Sian, and didn't care for the ending. I sensed that it was going to end badly, and I thought a bad ending was fitting, but didn't like the particular way it ended. Also, the jacket of the book I read states that it was a twist on Romeo and Juliet, and I'm not sure I agree with that. Maybe there's a deeper meaning there that I missed.
jovienna's review against another edition
was gifted this book by someone who thought it was gay lol. found out it wasnt and i was .. disappointed
lovelyoutliers's review against another edition
2.0
You know when you book a chill mini-break in a country cottage and forget your novel, but you find a misc paperback in your cabin? You will probably read it. It will be fine. You wouldn't ever re-read it or recommend it to a friend, but it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
menfort's review against another edition
3.0
Simple read but confusing with the changes in narration and time periods. Was disappointed with the ending.
hayley_bopp's review against another edition
3.0
I liked that this love story was told primarily from the male perspective and I also liked the fact that I really despised the main characters finding them to be selfish.
**Spoiler alert**
Because of my dislike for the characters, I was relieved that the story didn't have a happy ending.
on the whole an ok, easy read but it felt a little flat and lacking in pace although maybe that was meant to reflect the pace of the relationship between Charles and Sian.
**Spoiler alert**
Because of my dislike for the characters, I was relieved that the story didn't have a happy ending.
on the whole an ok, easy read but it felt a little flat and lacking in pace although maybe that was meant to reflect the pace of the relationship between Charles and Sian.