I'm not used to reading this type of book but the different genre seemed somewhat refreshing, at first. However this was nothing more than a very very long depressing soap opera. These people were depressing on page 1 and continue that way through the last page. Way too much promotion of smoking, drug, and alcohol use. The ending was horrible and seemed rushed (even though the middle of the book dragged -- 10 CDs). Would of like to seen Elston and Cadence reconcile and have that worked out. Would of like to have seen Chloe's situation reconciled. Some type of healing in that family or even some type of lesson. The thing that makes this book stand out is the writing. The plot itself isn't really that stand out, it's one of the few cases I've seen where outstanding writing actually does save a mediocre plot. Andrew Porter probably could have made an even more mundane family sound beautiful and eloquent. Aside from the brilliant writing, this story has very little to offer. Chloe Harding's parents get divorced while she is away at college and she starts to break down. It seems like this will be the hook for the rest of the plot, but it's actually just a minor, insignificant detail. The real story is that Chloe has been suspended from school pending a hearing because of something she's involved in through her boyfriend. Chloe comes home to dysfunction and only adds more of her own as she tries to find a way to stay with her boyfriend without the consequences of what they've done.The plot gets stranger and more unbelievable as the story continues, but on top of that a lot of other subplots start to go crazy too. Elson (Chloe's dad) is struggling in his relationship to a younger woman while his ex-wife wonders why they divorced. Chloe's brother deals with a weird poetry professor he can't tell is trying to hit on him or not.None of the characters is particularly likable, which is one of the reasons the plot is so hard to care about. But I felt like the unlikable characters were that way on purpose. They were real, flawed, and while you feel sorry for them at some level you also feel they have it coming.
Do You like book Tussendagen (2013)?
Layered with an intermixing of perspectives. Well written and left me with much to think about.
—rozaz
I liked the multiple perspectives but the ending was sloppy and sort of just thrown together.
—giundat99
Great portrait of a modern family and all the emotional distance that comes with it.
—isa
A good read. Makes you wonder how your family would react in similar situations.
—Stephanie7057
A refreshing new take on dysfunctional families, nicely written.
—Bhagya
