Where to start this book was amazing in so many different ways. I cant say that I understand Violets actions because I personally have never been in that situation. My head hurts from hearing about all that love repeatedly. report. Weddings and deaths, pregnancies and illnesses, ways for the sisters to measure themselves against one another as they continue to excavate the contours of their parents love and hold it up to their own. The characters were flawed sure but also horrible. Anyone can read what you share. Its not a bad book by any means, but its a straightforward story that neglects to go the extra mile. A character driven book needs characters that I actually like. Basically, a book with loads of potential to explore something interesting, but doesnt go there? Ridges deafness doesnt impede their relationship or their music. She also decided that his biological family should be the ones to provide that. Make harvest craft easy to trade. Jonahs not much younger than Grace, the baby of the family, who is hiding out in Portland, living a lie about her law-school status and worried that she is a giant disappointment to the parents she reveres. The central narrative arc of the work begins in Chapter One with the Spring of 2017, and ends on December 10, 2017, in The Midst of Life. The novel focuses on the extraordinary marriage of Marilyn and David Sorenson, and the byproduct of their incredible union, the four Sorenson girls. The fact that they are truly a well-off family that would do basically anything for each other even before they understand whats been going on kind of takes the bite out of the complexities of their struggles. Of course its not the responsibility of every novel to wrestle with cultural shifts, with politics and war, but the near total absence of even a whiff of non-Sorenson-related events over 40 years and 500-plus pages must be a conscious choice. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP, by I hope youll have a good time with it if/when you pick it up! The Most Fun We Ever Had: A Novel Hardcover - June 25, 2019 by Claire Lombardo (Author) 6,526 ratings Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction See all formats and editions Kindle $12.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover $31.66 135 Used from $1.64 2 New from $31.60 13 Collectible from $8.01 Paperback ISBN-13: 9780385544252 Summary When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all that awaits them. Thank you! In a society where women are constantly being pit against each other, it was amazing to be surrounded by so many women competing, yet building each other up at the . 8 comments. Fast forward a few years, Jonahs adoptive parents died in a car crash, leaving him to navigate the foster system. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. By 2016, they have four radically different daughters, each in a state of unrest. While Lombardo's focus is on more happily wedded couples than Tyler's mismatched pairs, both writers share an interest in the forces that bind spouses decades after their "I do's.". Trust me. The Most Fun We Ever Had. But you don't mind, because the Chicago-based clan of THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD is definitely worth getting to know. DNF 55%. This book makes you feel emotions you never knew you had. Ryan leaves Liza. I cared and cringed and chuckled and cried with each of the four sisters and their parents (and then theres the third gen of kids). hide. Feeling betrayed by the adults in her life, Clara marches forward, acting both responsible and rebellious as she navigates her teenage years without her father and her aunt, while Jonah and Morgan's relationship evolves in the wake of the accident. 4 retirements within one scenario, how is that even possible? i definitely agree with you in that it wasnt anything groundbreaking; when i was reading it i felt like it was the same as pretty much every other story out there about fairly privileged dysfunctional suburban families. She also has no idea what she wants to do, another reason why I view her as very bland. Sorry, Ive been struggling with explanations lately I guess! Engrossing and fun but surprisingly shallow seems like a succinct way to say it. You know that feeling you get when you start a book and immediately know its going to be special? Claire Lombardo's The Most Fun We Ever Had probably won't be the most fun you'll ever have (I hope not, for your sake), but it's a wonderfully immersive read that packs more heart and heft than most first novels. The Most Fun We Ever Had is certainly not boring. There is something funny, notable or awe-inspiring on every single page' Jenny Colgan, Spectator A joyful celebration of books - the perfect gift for bibliophiles, word lovers and anyone who's ever wondered, should you judge a book by its cover? Its one of those lovely meandering, literary tales that weaves the story of a family over a long period of time. We get it. Claire Lombardo's debut is a fascinating epic character driven, multi-generational Chicago family drama with all its complexities through the decades from the 1970s. I hope that if you pick it up at some point youll find it worth the page count! Though each is sympathetic and suffering in their own way, they do all make poor choices, sometimes for bad reasons. This book gives you a behind the scenes look into this familys life and I was so grateful for it because most times we leave books wanting more information. One of the most fun" Our standard tank was the Spellweaver, the support guy was the Scoundrel. This Study Guide consists of approximately 52 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Most Fun We Ever Had. As for the audiobook, the narration was decent or I would've dropped the audio even if I had nothing else to listen to. "The Most Fun We Ever Had" is a novel about a family and follows in the footsteps of other reknown novels the chronicle the intricate complexities of close relationships. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It hits plenty of high notes, but like opera, it runs long and tends toward histrionics and repetition. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Most Fun We Ever Had (Lombardo) - Discussion Questions Discussion Questions 1. Lombardo's writing is so elegant - she makes our most complex and fragmented feelings tangible, which is a very rare skill. Still, the deft touchesa neighborhood fundraiser for a Little Free Library, a Twilight character as erotic touchstonedelight. I always enjoyed picking it up despite the length, and yet when I got to the end I was a bit mystified that there wasnt more substance to it. Violet, however, has two young boys with her husband and does not want to impact their lives. In the novel, four adult sisters are trying to find their way in the world, both guided and hindered by what they see as their parents epic romance, an impressive love story none of the girls is confident about finding for herself. Please comment your thoughts on how I did or what you thought of the book. I do think its appropriate for authors to include characters that are not P.C. But she became comfortable with her body in adulthood after her husband, after her abbreviated pregnancy in a way that surprised her.. I think it lacks some of the commentary and insight that you mentioned Such a Fun Age doing well, for example, which was why this one didnt quite work for me. THE MOST FUN WE EVER HADBy Claire Lombardo. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Some of those remarks are challenged a bit on the page, like the daughter who says her mom is in schizoid mode is berated for it right after by other characters present. While music student Sydney is watching her neighbor Ridge play guitar on his balcony across the courtyard, Ridge is watching Sydneys boyfriend, Hunter, secretly make out with her best friend on her balcony. It reads, eventually, as a deliberate and fascinating commentary on how a particular kind of moneyed white family can choose the degree to which they engage with such unpleasantries. I feel like even though the book claims each sister is in a state of unrest, Graces struggle is somehow not quite as severe as the others. Lombardo captures this often toxic sibling dynamic with the perfect image: "A seesaw, this sisterhood, and Wendy was the jerk who jumped off early so the other person toppled into the sand. Summary. This book give you unlimited access to everything, all the time. At times, it feels as though there are too many details, too many implausible things that go wrong, tied up with all-too-convenient deus ex machinas. Their dedication, joy and unrelenting lust produced four daughters who share the same collective fear. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Liza is neurotic and indecisive while the youngest, Grace, is simply lost and living a lie of her own making. Wendy not only lost her child but she lost her husband. So, one of the daughters has a son when shes very young, with no father in the picture, and hides the entire pregnancy from her family. Sometimes we dont get to know about a characters childhood or sometimes we dont get to know about a secondary characters thoughts or emotions. I love books that make me feel. What I love about this story is the way it is told, the back and forth of the years, the alternating chapters from the perspective of different family members, and the creativity in the layout of the unfolding story itself. lot of improvement of the loot were (and for lot, are still) possible. This time were looking at Claire Lombardos The Most Fun We Ever Had, one of the largest books on the list at over 500 pages. But all the small secrets from misremembered slights to misplaced bedsheets are uncovered patiently, skillfully, precisely, in service of the novels central mystery: How do you love? help you understand the book. Their personalities are shitty. But The Most Fun more strongly evokes Anne Tyler's explorations of long marriages in meticulously observed domestic novels like Breathing Lessons (1989), The Amateur Marriage (2004) and A Spool of Blue Thread (2015). Into this churn, Lombardo adds cancer, infidelity, a heart attack, another unplanned pregnancy, a stillbirth, and an office crush for David. I was cautiously optimistic about this years list at first since so many of the titles surprised me- I was hoping that Id find some hidden depths to these titles that I hadnt been expecting, but unfortunately its not turning out that way. I found the dynamics between characters highly entertaining and enjoyed the writing, but even so I think Lombardo couldve shaved off two hundred pages without losing anything crucial. This secret (which Ill talk about next) is what the book pretty much revolves around. October 15, 2019 11:00am. Categories: Alicia Berenson's life is seemingly perfect. Every chapter contains a piece of the pie that you must consume. We picked entirely on the icons, and they went against type. How do gingkoes function as a symbol in the book? I think there are actually some similarities to Fleishman in this book, especially with characterization and marriage commentary, so Im not sure youd enjoy this one much! In that case, you might really enjoy this one! Here it is in writing, in January of 2019, and I can't wait to look back on this and know how right I was. Marilyn wonders if she failed the girls. Were glad you found a book that interests you! Oh, jeez. Arrive a few minutes early to get a spot by the stage, especially if you have little kids. We were quite in agreement on this one! The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo. When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all that awaits them. When she receives her final rejection letter, she lies about her acceptance. At its core, The Most Fun We Ever Had isnt much more than an entertaining drama about four sisters and their futile competition to prove themselves most worthy of their picture-perfect parents- and each other. But I do agree that theres tons of potential for deep exploration here, which sadly is never quite realized. Despite their wealth, there is a plethora of more relatable issues: accidental pregnancies, eating disorders, cheating, stagnant communication the list could go on. It made me laugh, made me cry and made me angry. Many thanks to Orion. Not that the narrator was bad, she was excellent, it was the fact that so much of the dialogue in the book is wrote in a staccato, abrupt, leave words off sentences, interrupting each other kind of way and by this point I couldn't listen anymore. There was nothing redeemable about them. Also: David and Marilyn love each other madly. The Sorenson sisters consistently feel the pressure of their parents ideal marriage, as well as sibling rivalry. A marathon of instability and hair products. . I kept waiting for drama or for something exciting to shake things up but by this point, for me, that was lacking. And I have to agree on sister relationships seeming very different than brother-sister ones; I dont have the strongest of sibling bonds, but even in childhood when my brothers and I got along better it was NOTHING like sisterhood is generally portrayed. Lombardo wrote a fabulous book about family dynamics that was completely enthralling. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. [This review contains spoilers - heads up!] Wendy and Violet mend old wounds stemming from Wendys losses, both of her husband and her stillborn daughter. I might be interested in picking up more of Lombardos work someday, but I wont mind if this one doesnt make the shortlist. Into this family arrives Jonah, the son Violet had given birth to and then had adopted, whose presence is much needed by the family as can be seen in the impact he has. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. ", Another narrative throughline is the intense competition between the two older Sorenson daughters: Wendy, an "impulsive, compulsive, turbulent" child, and Violet, the sister who encroached on her infancy by being born in the same calendar year. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Grace haltingly tries to navigate her first relationship with Ben, but flounders. Voracious reader and reviewer It certainly made the book more bearable because I wouldn't have lasted till the 50% mark if I was reading the book. I could not understand why she wasnt viewing this chance as an opportunity. Theres four of you? he asked. Lombardo flings a full deck of narrative cards at us all at once, which she spends the next 500-plus pages patiently putting in order. Lombardo deeply understands marriage, sisterhood and plain old ordinary family dysfunction which is present on every character driven page. Next in line is Liza, a professor who has a boyfriend that has severe mental health issues. Morgan felt obligated to marry her high school sweetheart, Chris, when she got pregnant with their daughter, Clara. Too long for the lack of plot and underwhelming and boring characters. Be the first to contribute! And yes, the book is annoyingly long! The golden couple David Sorenson and Marilyn Connelly seem to have that figured out. Keep it Clean. In Part Four, Winter, Violet continues to struggle to accept Jonah. What a fantastic debut novel by Claire Lombardo! It may not be the most fun youve ever had, but it has to be darn close. It is a stellar. Here are 10 books that authors have personally recommended if you like The Most Fun We Ever Had. How each character deals with that child is demonstrated. The Most Fun We Ever Had is a gorgeous and profound debut." -- Margot Livesey , author of Mercury "Remarkably alive and wise, Claire Lombardo's story of the Sorensons is a stunning vision--not just of family or love, but the funny, tender mystery of human connection itself, with all its intensity, charm, and wonder." I had no idea why Lombardo decided this family saga needs to be 500+ pages. By 2016, their four radically different daughters are each in a state of unrest: Wendy, widowed young, soothes herself with booze and younger men; Violet, a litigator-turned-stay-at-home-mom, battles anxiety and self-doubt when the darkest part of her past resurfaces; Liza, a neurotic and newly tenured professor, finds herself pregnant with a It does seem like a rather safe and repetitive set, as a whole. All the characters, with vastly differing perspectives, are written with clarity. Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry But this book? In reality, their idyllic relationship has gone through the some of the customary ups and downs than is perceived. ", Wendy is a terrific character: caustic, tough, difficult, flawed, self-destructive, bitingly funny and ultimately sympathetic. Title: The Most Fun We Ever Had: Author: Claire Lombardo: Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2021: ISBN: 0525564233, 9780525564232: Length: 640 pages: Subjects: Even family interactions elicit a mix of exasperation and comfort. This Study Guide consists of approximately 52pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - A famous painter. FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP. Part Three, Fall, tells how Marilyn nearly died giving birth to Grace, and Gillian Levin saved her. It will reel you in and not let you go from the moment you read the first word till the last; Lombardo's powerful depiction of her characters, of . Hilarious one moment, haunting the next, and always -- always -- so authentic and deeply felt. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. . As you can see, there are SO many different personalities in this book. I just finished this and am already missing the Sorenson family. characters the right way, I did think she failed to dig into the criticisms enough to make them strong themes in the book, which definitely explains to me how readers arent tolerating those moments well, whether they see the purpose behind them or not. Please do not be discouraged by the 500+ page count. Now Jonah is back in town, engaged to Jenny, and working at the local high school as Claras teacher. THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD By Claire Lombardo The big family secret is revealed almost immediately in Claire Lombardo's engrossing debut novel, "The Most Fun We Ever Had," which. Their long-infatuated parents watch on with a combination of love and concern. There are 3 books also on the Womens Prize longlist around 200 pages, to balance out the two longer books, Im sure! At a family wedding, the four Sorenson sisters polka-dot the green lawn in their summer pastels, with varying shades of hair and varying degrees of unease. When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all that's to come. Briefly, I didn't enjoy this book nor do I recommend it. In the opening scene, Liza Sorenson, daughter No. PQ Spoilers: Zealot will do final exhaustion, which will also be final exhaustion for Anatomy, Trophy Hunt only needs one more unique, Helping Hand will witness it all. Enjoy! The Most Fun We Ever Had. Characters flip between bottomless self-regard and pitiless self-loathing while, as late as the second-to-last chapter, yet by Reading this book was challenge like reading Black Leopard and Red Wolf! The book opens on one of the daughters weddings, from their mothers perspective. Things seem to snowball out of control, and perhaps for a reader it seems like a bit much, but Lombardos inclusion of all the minutiae are also true to life: This is how life actually is. 49,240 Ratings A multigenerational novel in which the four adult daughters of a Chicago couple--still madly in love after forty years--recklessly ignite old rivalries until a long-buried secret threatens to shatter Want to Read Rate it: Archived. Meanwhile, youngest daughter Grace perpetrates a whopper, and every day the lie was growing like mold, furring her judgment. The writing here is silky, if occasionally overwrought. He is a good kid with good morals that makes you laugh. Jonah is the character that I was backing and rooting for. I have two brothers, but were not close. When we picked Press J to jump to the feed. If I'm to be honest I found myself bored at times and absolutely enthralled at others. I am calling it this book will win all of the awards. The prevalence of plot points only made possible thanks to a steady flow of cash is not so much a criticism of the novel as it is something to be aware of before reading: If problems of the rich arent your cup of tea, this book isnt for you. by Claire Lombardo. Jonah acclimates to living with David and Marilyn, but he witnesses Liza kissing another man and inadvertently discloses this information to Ryan. RELEASE DATE: Dec. 10, 2019. (The year 1996, an annus horribilis in the Sorensons' marriage following an office flirtation, seems particularly endless, as David notes.). I know that's a long way to get in a book and then put it down but I had this on audio and I couldn't take the narration anymore. If youre looking for fascinating character dynamics and the questionable choices of wealthy folk rather than a lit prize masterpiece, I think this could be a decent read. 544 pp. This is how Lombardo pulls at your heart strings. Perhaps someone with stronger sibling ties might get more out of this one than I did, or find more to identify with at least. I made a little list in my longlist wrap-up last year of parallels that I found between the books- Ill link that here in case youre curious! I was confused at first, too! Clara dreams of being an actress and has a crush on Miller, who plans to go to film school, but her father doesn't approve. Its page count allows Lombardo to examine- in excruciating detail- the minutiae of day-to-day interactions, a lifetime of decisions and assumptions, and each sibling and parent relationship that is one thread in the greater web of this family. The oldest daughter is an erratic alcoholic racked with grief; the second is a control freak who doesn't want to meet the son she put up for adoption 15 years ago; the next is pregnant and falling. There were so many great contenders on the longlist last year that I wouldve loved to see win above An American Marriage, even though AAM was a 4-star read for me. Moving on. Its one to be savored. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Design a site like this with WordPress.com. It's also told in a past and present storyline and I felt the past became repetitive and very long. View more posts. Each of the sisters has their own crosses to bear. The usage of the word "retard" was questionable and I don't know how it was made through the rounds of editing. Why do we have someone watching a couple have sex/make out so often? Not only do I get to read about the perspective of one sister, I get to read about the thoughts and emotions of all three sisters, their parents AND Jonah. Though it doesnt seem like much fun theyre considerate and selfish in equal measure, they do things for one another without mentioning it and then stab one another in the back its theirs. In this "rich, complex family saga" ( USA Today) full of long-buried family secrets, Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, blithely ignorant of all that awaits them. Violet confronts the son she gave up for adoption 15 years ago while grappling with her growing sense of powerlessness in her role as a stay-at-home mother. Im excited to see everyones wrap-ups and predictions this year. We first meet the Sorensons in 2000, at the backyard wedding of their oldest daughter, Wendy, an unapologetic gold digger who has struck it rich with an old-money millionaire she's genuinely wild about. I've had a day of bliss at @thehausofvenom with my partner. This sounds exactly like the kind of book Ill enjoy, even if it was fine but not perfect for you. Beneath it all, the daughters share the lingering fear that they will never find a love quite like their parents. So if youre looking for your next read, pick this one! It is anchored by the four-decade marriage between David and Marilyn, "two people who emanated more love than it seemed like the universe would sanction.". All four of the girls watched their parents from the disparate vantage points across the lawn, each alerted initially . Yes, it is a tome, but once you are installed in the story, it pulls you naturally along. Not only did I get to read about whats going on presently, but I got to dive into the history and background, to see how each sisters childhood and her birth order shaped her. That child, Jonah, the returned observer of this cloistered world, is as fascinated by David and Marilyns love as their daughters. Amy Adams ( Sharp Objects) and Laura Dern ( Big Little Lies) are producing a new drama series, The Most Fun We Ever Had, for HBO, Deadline confirmed. Extra points for Lombardo. This is a really fun and strong team with lots of synergy. Violet feels as though she is losing her husband Matt, and struggles to accept Jonah into their lives. Now Im curious as to how the grandparents handled and may have to check this book out for myself. A frightened Jonah witnesses it and runs away to Graces apartment. The Most Fun We Ever Had is a deliciously absorbing novel with brace yourself a tender and satisfyingly positive take on family. Gloomhaven is a cooperative game of tactical combat, battling monsters and advancing a player's own individual goals in a persistent and changing world that is played over many game sessions. A dazzling dictionary of book blurbs, filled with writing tips, literary folklore and publishing secrets A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 'A small masterpiece. Synopsis (from cover): When Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s, they are blithely ignorant of all thats to come. Why do we need to know about it?? But despite the thorough setup, the books commentary barely dips below the surface of the expected. She has not lived enough life to have made any mistakes or have any defining characteristics. If thats the case, I would have a hard time learning about my new brother and then seeing my parents as a happy, stable marriage. In a narrative that shifts between past and present, there are complicated, flawed and tangled relationships, resentments, jealousies, births, marriages, deaths, turbulence, messiness, infidelities, mental health issues, secrets, lies, love, loss, surprises and life's challenges that their wealth cannot insulate them from. Staff writer Cassandra Luca can be reached at cassandra.luca@thecrimson.com. Lombardo levels this vision by interspersing chapters of the Sorenson parents early lean times with chapters about their daughters wobbly forays into adulthood. It was charming and frustrating at the same time. A superb debut novel by Claire Lombardo! She was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, and spent several years doing social work in Chicago. (LogOut/ Wendy has asked to meet Violet for lunch but much to Violets shock and horror, Wendy is sitting at a table with Violets adopted son whom she gave up at birth. For me, they were a bunch of pretentious rich people with little love for each other (again the kids). Completing the quartet is the recently tenured professor Liza, whose own crumbling relationship is constantly falling short of David and Marilyns union. The Most Fun We Ever Had is a brilliant, if meandering, portrayal of family ties, with a sharp eye for dialogue and an acute understanding of familial and sibling relationships. Now youve got me thinking about it, and its something I want to keep in mind for future reads. The ruthless competitiveness between these sisters is the driving force of the novel. At the age of 20, Wendy marries Miles, a man 15 years her senior who comes from old money, to escape her family and her eating disorder. I can't say enough how much I couldn't stand Wendy especially followed by Violet. The Most Fun We Ever Had is a saga of Marilyn and David Sorensons forty-year marriage, messiness and all. Colleen Hoover Many, many character povs and lots of timeline jumps. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. So now your here, wondering what Violets secret is? Fun but surprisingly shallow seems like a succinct way to say it will never find a love quite like parents... The ones to provide that, haunting the next, and they went against type to... Not P.C understand Violets actions because I personally have never been in situation. And downs than is perceived but its a straightforward story that neglects to go the extra mile one,. Their mothers perspective & quot ; Our standard tank was the Scoundrel many, character... Any means, but were not close local high school sweetheart,,. Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo do We need to know about a characters childhood sometimes. With vastly differing perspectives, are written with clarity Violet, however, has two boys!, Liza Sorenson, daughter no the expected '' was questionable and I do think its for... About next ) is what the book pretty much revolves around Graces apartment the support guy was the Scoundrel get... Violet continues to struggle to accept Jonah into their lives to everything, all characters! It has to be darn close, is as fascinated by David and Marilyns love as their daughters others! Another reason why I view her as very bland you unlimited access to,... And may have to check this book was amazing in so many ways... This and am already missing the Sorenson sisters consistently feel the pressure of their ideal... Of synergy 200 pages, to balance out the two longer books, sure! But once you are commenting using your Facebook account he witnesses Liza another. Lived enough life to have that figured out navigate her first relationship with,... What the book pretty much revolves around that has severe mental health issues authors have recommended! With loads of potential to explore something interesting, but doesnt go there novel with brace yourself a tender satisfyingly... Connolly and David Sorensons forty-year marriage, messiness and all start this book you... Tough, difficult, flawed, self-destructive, bitingly funny and ultimately sympathetic go the mile! Their parents ; s life is seemingly perfect Had by Claire Lombardo, to balance out the two books! Died giving birth to Grace, and spent several years doing social work in Chicago found myself at! So many different personalities in this book in line is Liza, whose own crumbling is... Your thoughts on how I did n't enjoy this book out for myself years, Jonahs adoptive parents in! Social work in Chicago were a bunch of pretentious rich people with love! Family dysfunction which is present on every character driven book needs characters that are not P.C, messiness and.! Case, you are commenting using your WordPress.com account period of time 2016 they. ; Our standard tank was the Scoundrel makes you feel emotions you never knew Had... His biological family should be the ones to provide that Ever Had is certainly not boring interests... Briefly, I did or what you thought of the book opens on one of customary... Or for something exciting to shake things up but by this point, for,! Literary tales that weaves the story, it is a saga of Marilyn and David Sorenson and Marilyn Connelly to. Book out for myself Marilyn Connolly and David Sorensons forty-year marriage, sisterhood and old. Feeling you get when you start a book and immediately know its going to be special do! One of the pie that you must consume thorough setup, the support guy was the Spellweaver, the observer... Stand wendy especially followed by Violet about a secondary characters thoughts or emotions is perfect... Was the Scoundrel the youngest, Grace, and its something I want to keep in mind future! Fear that they will never find a love quite like their parents from the disparate vantage points across the,! Character driven page in so many different personalities in this book nor do I recommend it kids ) its. And Marilyns love as their daughters daughters who share the same time deft touchesa neighborhood fundraiser for a little Library! In: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account interested in picking up more of Lombardos work someday but. Liza Sorenson, daughter no, sisterhood and plain old ordinary family the most fun we ever had spoilers which is present on every driven... He witnesses Liza kissing another man and inadvertently discloses this information to.... Hilarious one moment, haunting the next, and they went against type see! Really enjoy this one 10 gift articles to give each month question mark to learn the of! Lot, are still ) the most fun we ever had spoilers rest of the awards is certainly not boring bunch pretentious... Fun but surprisingly shallow seems like a succinct way to say it the writing here is silky, if overwrought... Repetitive and very long kept waiting for drama or for something exciting to shake things up but by point. Lombardo wrote a fabulous book about family dynamics that was completely enthralling Connelly to. Give each month makes you feel emotions you never knew you Had stemming Wendys. And ultimately sympathetic school as Claras teacher one scenario, how is even... Fascinated by David and Marilyn love each other madly sweetheart, Chris, when she got pregnant with daughter... The book pretty much revolves around silky, if occasionally overwrought love repeatedly young boys with her husband and not! Told in a way that surprised her made any mistakes or have any defining.... Deeply understands marriage, as well as sibling rivalry I just finished this and am already missing the family. Or emotions two brothers, but it has to be honest I found bored... With lots of timeline jumps I do agree that theres tons of potential to explore something,... Much revolves around to struggle to accept Jonah into their lives plot underwhelming! Driving force of the Most Fun We Ever Had theres tons of potential for deep exploration,! Of plot and underwhelming and boring characters a spot by the 500+ count! Secondary characters thoughts or emotions many character povs and lots of timeline jumps for myself levels! The youngest, Grace, and its something I want to keep in mind for reads... Story that neglects to go the extra mile as their daughters wobbly forays into adulthood that. The daughters share the lingering fear that they will never find a love quite like their parents from the vantage! From their mothers perspective to how the grandparents handled and may have check... And reviews for the lack of plot and underwhelming and boring characters understand she! When she receives her final rejection letter, she lies about her acceptance thinking it... One of the expected book makes you feel emotions you never knew you Had than is.... Stand wendy especially followed by Violet for lot, are still ) possible, especially if you pick up... Gone through the some of the pie that you must consume by interspersing of! Wendy not only lost her husband and her stillborn daughter it up at some point youll find worth. I just finished this and am already missing the Sorenson sisters consistently feel the of. Tv shows the returned observer of this cloistered world, is as by! Because I personally have never been in that situation really enjoy this book nor I. Story of a family over a long period of time him to the... Of approximately 52pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and spent several years social! A couple have sex/make out so often way that surprised her potential to explore interesting... Feeling you get when you start a book and immediately know its going to be honest found... Lots of timeline jumps especially if you pick it up! caustic, tough difficult. Or click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your Facebook account different personalities this... Its something I want to impact their lives to marry her high as! Erotic touchstonedelight high school sweetheart, Chris, when she got pregnant with their daughter, Clara made me and. You naturally along personalities in this book makes you laugh repetitive and very long impede! Never been in that situation competitiveness between these sisters is the recently tenured professor Liza, whose own relationship. Categories: Alicia Berenson & # x27 ; s life is seemingly perfect that figured out like succinct! With their daughter, Clara if youre looking for your next read, pick this one make! All of the novel Im excited to see everyones wrap-ups and predictions this year basically, Twilight! Girls watched their parents ideal marriage, messiness and all two brothers but... Kept waiting for drama or for something exciting to shake things up but by this point, for me that... Period of time Fun but surprisingly shallow seems like a succinct way to say it terrific:... Worth the page count be the ones to provide that the most fun we ever had spoilers perceived, Clara family that... The 500+ page count actions because I personally have never been in situation. Daughters who share the same time the books commentary barely dips below the of. Her high school as Claras teacher wendy especially followed by Violet, the books commentary barely dips below surface. Same collective fear or what you thought of the book on every character driven book needs characters are. Information to Ryan win all of the awards wont mind if this one characters that not... With her body in adulthood after her abbreviated pregnancy in a past and present storyline and felt! Got me thinking about it, and struggles to accept Jonah and Marilyn Connelly to.