Adriana Reads

While I was reading this book, I was constantly struck by the fact that I was absolutely hating it. Several times I was tempted to abandon it. The characters were among the most despicable I have ever read: young and middle aged people being immature and self-absorbed, completely oblivious to the pain they cause to everyone around them, particularly those who love them. The few worthwhile, or rather not loathsome, characters that were introduced were fodder for the central characters.

However, I stuck with the book, and something happened toward in the last few chapters. I don't know if the characters grew on me, or if it was the way Ms. Egan had them mature and find some redemption in the end. All I know is that at the moment I finished the book, I no longer hated it. Sasha and Bennie grew and changed, and although I still find their behavior throughout most of the novel absolutely reprehensible, I was unable to work up the same level of dislike for them at the end.

While I disliked the characters, I can find no flaw in Ms. Egan's style. Even while I was hating the story, I found her prose to flow easily and I couldn't help wondering what it would have been like if she had written characters I actually cared about.

I still can't quite say that I liked the book. However, I didn't hate it.