Meh.
This was a very quick and light read. Some humor and a frenetic pace that is somewhat jarringly interrupted, and often, by flashbacks. The story is one day in the life of Eleanor Flood: wife, mother, illustrator, quoter of poems, sister. In that order.
Or is it in that order at all?
Eleanor pledges to be her better self today - play with her kid, pay attention to her husband, and maybe even finish her book which is a tiny bit late. But as with all well laid plans, Life happens and it all goes to hell. Her husband is obviously hiding something, her son sees more than she thinks he does, her editor keeps calling, her poetry instructor is disappointed in her, and her sister....well, that is a whole other kettle of fish that permeates every other thing in her life. Except her son who has no idea he even has an aunt.
I really liked Where'd You Go Bernadette. It was hilarious and poignant and mysterious. I guess I expected more out of this one - you do get a bit of insight into how your life can spiral spectacularly despite the best intentions. So that made me feel better, haha. But the disjointed format and even the main character herself were annoying. I never really sympathized with Eleanor except during the passages about her sister. She pretty much spends her life being blindsided by things she could have seen coming if she had paid attention. (Especially that steel pole - metaphor much?) Maybe that is the point. We should all pay more true attention to those around us and not worry about what are really the small things but seem like the entire world when you are too close to them. Today will be different - I will pay attention. Right? Wait, what? Squirrel!!!!!!!!
Good light read for the beach - although I bet book clubs would get a good kick out of talking about this day in Eleanor's life and how she got to where she is - and especially what she will do next. The ending leaves a few things unanswered, but alas, such is life. Good luck with that!
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