The Last Anniversary

I loved Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot but this book was a disappointment. I appreciated the mystery, and that was all that kept me going. I did not like any of the characters. This was one big dysfunctional, and emotionally abusive family. They had these entitled and pretentious attitudes that drove me crazy. Their actions just werent justifiable. The only one who had any reason to be the way she was was Rose, and even her shocking revelation at the end was too far fetched and unbelievable. Yes, I know this is fiction, but come on. The most frustrating relationship was between Grace and her mother. Her mother was severely emotionally abusive. Grace was obviously seriously affected by her actions and they suddenly resolve this after her mother says I would die for you. I wasnt the best, but I did the best I could. No, Laura was a selfish jerk who shouldve had someone else care for her poor daughter who grew up unable to show any emotions. Its sad, and she did not get the justice she deserved. How disappointing. Also, what the heck was up with Rose describing her love for her great grandchildren as almost sexual? Did you think we wouldnt be shocked by that? Uncalled for and super weird. I feel like Moriarty just didnt have a filter when she wrote this book. I finished it confused and pissed off. The only thing this book had going for it was the mystery.

Mystery was good but thats all i can say. I was appalled when a fictional childrens character wants to rape another character. Seriously?! I dont need to read this in fiction. I would think more women would be alarmed by this. Its fiction. Made up. Waste of time.

I had to push myself very hard to stay with this book and finish it. I found every character to be like neighbors who want to be friends that make me wonder when I can move so I no longer have to interact with them. How can such an acclaimed author write such a convoluted story full of such irritating people? I won\’t be reading any more books by this author. I wish I had given up on this book about chapter 3 instead of waiting for someone to have a redeeming character.

Its only 3 weeks into 2016 and I just read my favorite book of the yearI think. Well, how can you not love a book that starts out like this? Do you really think we can get away with it? If I didnt think so, I wouldnt be suggesting it, would I? We could go to jail. Thats my third worst fear. First funnel-webs, then childbirth, then jail. Neither of us is going to jail, you ninny. One day well be sweet little old ladies and well probably forget that it didnt happen the way we said it did. I cant imagine us as sweet little old ladies. It does seem unlikely. In this one chapter you have mystery, danger, humor and friendship. The novel centers around a mysterious (fake) island called Scribbly Gum Island where in 1932, during the depression, a baby is found alone in a house with a kettle boiling on the stove and a marble cake sitting out. The parents of the baby, Alice and Jack Munro, are missing. Then it fast forward to the present day and all the ramifications from this event. Some people benefited nicely, while others suffered. The author does an amazing job of introducing each character. Although Sophie Honeywell and her love-life or lack there of, is the main character. The novel is told in third person omniscient point of view and believe me when I tell you, each character is richly developed. Subjects include: Postpartum depression, mystery, sex, body issues, murder and vibrators. Hey, how can you go wrong? This novel is worth reading alone for the inner and outer dialogue that goes on with Sophie. Which is absolutely hysterical. Not to mention Margie and her two men named Ron which again, is priceless. Will the great mystery be solved? Will Sophie find true love that her Aunt Connie predicted her once she moves into the house where it all began? Youll just have read it to find out. Published first in 2005 & again in 2014, this is a steal for only $1.99 on kindle. Oh, and add the audio immersion reading to hear the actors speak with Australian accents.

I have to disagree with the negative reviews. This is by far one of my favorite books by Liane Moriarty. The central mystery is fundamentally interesting (as opposed to ones which which I thought fell flat, namely in \”Truly Madly Guilty.\”) The characters were interesting and their stories intriguing. There are times when Moriarty\’s writing and characters remind me of Maeve Binchy (another of my favorite authors). This is one of those novels where your\’e interested in the characters\’ story lines, not just the main plot. It is a meandering book – the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning. I found myself putting this book down for days at a time because the plot wasn\’t as compelling as others she\’s written. It lacked the urgency of, say, \”Big Little Lies\”. However, I enjoyed the quirky characters of Scribbly Gum Island. Moriarty\’s description made the island come alive in a way that makes the reader want to visit for herself. I genuinely enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant way to lose her/himself for a few hours.

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