Fiction
2022 Scribner
Finished on March 8, 2023
Rating: 3/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Chuck Ayers used to look forward to nothing so much as his annual trip to Hilton Head with his wife, Cat—that yearly taste of relaxation they’d become accustomed to after a lifetime of working and raising two children. Now, just months after Cat’s death, Chuck finds that he can’t let go of her belongings—her favorite towel, the sketchbooks in her desk drawer—as he struggles to pack for a trip he can’t imagine taking without her.
Ella Burke delivers morning newspapers and works at a bridal shop to fill her days while she anxiously awaits news—any piece of information—about her missing daughter. Ella adjusts to life in a new apartment and answers every call on her phone, hoping her daughter will reach out.
After the sudden death of her father, Kirsten Bonato set aside her veterinary school aspirations, finding comfort in the steady routine of working at an animal shelter. But as time passes, old dreams and new romantic interests begin to surface—and Kirsten finds herself at another crossroads.
A Quiet Life is a quiet read. It was too quiet for my taste, though. The characters are flat and their excessive ruminations border on annoying and repetitive. There isn't much action until the final chapters and I have a feeling this is one of those books that will fade quickly from my memory. It's a shame, as I tend to gravitate toward books dealing with grief. Like Kirsten, I'm familiar with the loss of a parent, and like Ella, I've experienced divorce and custody battles, so those two scenarios should have helped me feel an affinity toward the two women. Instead, it was as if I were hearing about their struggles as told by a friend of a friend of a relative. Chuck's constant guilt for not being a better husband was tiresome, although I appreciated the glimpse into the life of a widower and how he learns to live with his grief while moving forward in his own life. A Quiet Life is a tender story, one which brings to mind Elizabeth Berg's The Story of Arthur Truluv, and one that fans of Hallmark movies might enjoy, predictable with a happy ending. I would have liked a little more substance, myself. The cover art is beautiful, though!
The cover is a beauty and that would have me pick it up to read the book flap if I were in a bookstore. But your description of the long winded ruminations of tragegy and sadness isn't my cup of tea right now. I've also experienced the deep loss of parents and a divorce so, maybe I would feel the same as you reading this one.
ReplyDeleteTina, I would have done the same if I had spotted this in a bookstore. And, reading the blurb, I probably would have bought the book, based on the details in the blurb. It had promise, but fell a bit short for me.
DeleteThis probably isn't for me right now either, but I still have the author's debut novel (A Little Hope) on my tbr list. That one is also characterized as "quiet" ... we'll see when I get to it.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, a lot of readers loved this one, but I'm the oulier (again!). I look forward to hearing your thoughts on A Little Hope.
DeleteThere is a fine line between a gentle read (very good) and a read that is too quiet (apparently this one). Too bad it fell flat for you since it sounds like the characters should have kept your attention.
ReplyDeleteHelen, this was just a little bit too repetitive and bordering on sentimental/saccharine.
DeleteI liked The Story of Arthur Truluv but really dislike Hallmark movies so I think I'll give this one a pass. I like characters who are a bit introspective but too much of it starts to make me feel like they're just wallowing in grief/tragedy/regret.
ReplyDeleteJen, in all honesty, I don't think I've ever watched a Hallmark movie.
DeleteThe first sentence of your review made me think I might like this one. But the second and third---Nope, not a book for me.
ReplyDeleteDeb, it had promise, but I didn't love it.
DeleteYeah that's too bad this novel wasn't stronger. I read his first novel A Little Hope and I also thought it wasn't strong enough and needed more. Maybe I knew you had experienced divorce but I'm not sure I recall if I did. Must be too stressful. But glad things are happy now.
ReplyDeleteSusan, the divorce was so many years ago (almost 40 years!), and I'm long over that stress. It was basically a "starter marriage," and it's unfortunate that we had custody issues, but we get along fine now. Plus, Rod and I have been together for over 35 years and are very happy.
DeleteYeah 35+ years ... is way more than I've been married with starter #1. ha. You & Rod are great together.
DeleteAww, thanks. We make a pretty good team.
DeleteAgree, that's a beautiful book cover. I read his debut novel, A Little Hope, and I kind felt the same way about it as you did of this one. I went in with high expectations because it seems like a book I would love but was just ok. I have an ARC of this one but probably won't be rushing to get to it.
ReplyDeleteHmm, now I'm even less inclined to try A Little Hope. Thanks for sharing your opinion, Iliana.
Delete