I first read this book a couple of years ago, and I picked it up again recently while I was on holiday. Rainbow Rowell is one of my favourite writers, and it was easy to remember why as soon as I started reading; her characters are so unique and solid, and she writes with incredible emotional wisdom. This particular book of hers follows Georgie McCool, a TV writer with two kids and some slight marital issues. When she turns down Christmas with her kids, her husband and his family in order to work, she discovers a magical connection to the past through a yellow rotary phone in her mother's house. One of the many reasons I love this book is that I love the complexity of its portrayal of love and relationships. The protagonist's sister at one point asks her how she knew that her husband was the one, and although I won't spoil it for you I will tell you that the response is extremely well-put, realistic, and romantic without being romanticised. So many romance stories- and despite the couple being established from the start, this is a romance- are overly sentimental and rosy, with simple and perfect happily-ever-afters, or tragic endings despite overwhelming love. In reality, no relationship is perfect, and there is no such thing as a completely easy relationship- just easier-than-others. Rowell admits this, and isn't afraid to reassure you that although that is the case, it's always worth it. Another thing about this book is its sense of humour. As a TV writer, Georgie McCool makes lots of references, many of which I personally didn't understand due to the age difference between myself and Georgie, but which did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Her reaction to having a magic phone is completely realistic and funny- it's frankly a ridiculous plotline, and one which is acknowledged as ridiculous. But because of this, we're in on the joke, laughing with Rowell, and thus able to enjoy the story without obsessing over thoughts of 'this makes no sense'. The supporting characters always serve to provide both comedy and emotional weight, and it's the balance between these two elements that provides the captivating tone of this book. Despite the use of the magical realism genre, this book is one of the most honest accounts of love I've come across. Its protagonist isn't perfect, she's a full, complex human being who it's easy to root for. All its characters, in fact, seem like fully-fleshed people, and it's easy to get absorbed into the story. The LGBTQ+ representation is welcome, too. Key Words: Funny, Romantic, Realistic, Magical Special Prescription*: When you need reminding that all romantic relationships are complex and difficult, but worth it. Or when you need to be informed that writing for TV is a real career that people have. *A time when this is the perfect book to read for your situation/mood. Image from Good Reads.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
"After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world."- Philip Pullman Archives
January 2018
Categories
All
Follow the blog on Twitter to catch new posts every Thursday |