designer_gmendez

I loved the concept but intensely disliked the book. I am amazed people thought it was well-written, because it felt like a little kid trying to write an adult book. I found the language stilted and conversations unrealistic. In spite of spending every night reading together, I never felt any warmth or affection between them. There were some hints about a very troubled childhood, including a suicide attempt and abandonment by her mother. But, that is barely mentioned. In fact, the father is so clueless that he only notices the mother left when he comes in expecting Thanksgiving turkey and finds it still frozen. There is an older sister, but she leaves as early as possible and never looks back. So Alice lets her father read to her every night from the age of 10 until she leaves for college at 18. There is very little discussion of the books they read. It seems he just liked to hear himself read and she just liked to listen. I am glad the two of them found something they could do together, but I do not think that is the answer for everyone. Although I am a fierce advocate of reading, and think no child should go to bed with a story, I am not sure most teenagers and their parents would share reading choices.

2022-10-21 05:31