For the first time, I honestly do not know how I feel about a book. Huh. Noted on calendar.
I am not sure if it is the context of what is happening in my real life or not that is affecting my inability to choose a stance on this book, but I got to tell you I hate/love this book.
Reasons I Hate It:
This story is about three women: Andrea, Marissa, and Holly. Each lives a life that has some tragic/dramatic element to it, all dealing with men and sexual relations.
Andrea is a single mother who just has crappy luck with men. Marissa is a devoted mother of a four-year-old dying of SMA and a wife of an adulterous husband. Holly is a bored suburban housewife looking for excitement and finds it with (an)other(s). I loved and despised all of them.
Marissa annoys me because she forgave her husband. As CeeLo says "f*** that". He had an affair. Not a little one either. Five years. Multiple cross global trips. LOVE. He stayed because of their daughter, but come on. Staying in a house is not the same as maintaining a relationship. Straight up.
Holly annoys me because she is a dirty, lying, ho-bag. She has an enviable life, and instead of just being honest and admitting to her husband that she is unhappy, so goes out and finds "fulfillment" with others. I think she totally deserves what comes to her in the end. It's called karma. I mean, I understand just because I find her life amazing doesn't mean it makes her happy. I do. I just don't get why she isn't honest.
Andrea annoys me least. At least she is not the complete catalyst for her problems. The only thing I don't like about her is that her loyalties are skewed. But, in the end, I find her much more forgivable. Jace was dropped like a hot ember by Holly. At least Andrea didn't seek it out.
Why I Loved It:
Andrea's dedication to her daughter is amazing. She really does everything she can to make her daughter's life as good as possible. Andrea is also strong. She left her dysfunctional marriage and abusive relationship to make herself a better person. Her stint in bed with Jace seems fitting to me. Two scarred hearts finding solace with each other.
Marissa's dedication trumps Andrea's, but it is the discovery of who she is as a person that drew me into her character. The love she has for her family, the love she lost for her family, her undeniable sense of purpose; it is these things that make you empathize with her. She is a remarkably strong woman.
Holly....I like her vivaciousness. Her self-awareness is both awe-inspiring and a warning. The warning is that you cannot allow yourself to become so completely wrapped up in yourself that you lose sight of those you care about. I like Holly least because she reminds me of my mother.
The writing in this novel is amazing. Hopkin's style is inimitable and draws you in. The flowing verse grabs your attention and keeps the fast pace. The word choice is excellent, and you do become vested in the story. As always, I loved the intertwining multiple perspectives. I love multiple perspective novels.
The raciness is notched up a bit in Hopkin's first "adult" novel, but the tone is still the same: grabbing taboo topics and putting them on display for all to see. She did excellently. Warning: there are a few sex scenes/erotica writing that can make you blush...
As far as this goes as a companion to Tilt, it didn't at all shed any light on to that novel to me. I feel like I connected better with the adults than the teens with this plot line.
