THE RULES DO NOT APPLY

Some of Ariel's insights on life are complete jewels. An agonizingly and astonishingly realistic read. This read tears you apart at unsuspecting turns.

ok

One of the best books I read in 2021!

The writing is effortless (or looks to be), and tells the story with such delicacy it's hard to put down. In fact, I didn't.

the author lays herself bare by taking responsibility early on for for her life and the consequences of her actions. Paraphrasing - she leads into the contact with the former lover by saying... she was about to do something terrible that leads to a series of POOR LIFE CHOICES the stack on top of each other and block the sun.INSIGHTFUL of human nature and relationships. I found this book EPIC in terms of its providing me a life changing insight - so negative reviewers there is at least one person in the world who got a new perspective on her own narcissism and a chance to reset on a future of possibility with her spouse - so it made a difference to this one.SURPRISING if i had read about the author i never would have bought this book. I am many things she is not - like I object to 'feminism' as someone doing me a favor. and the New Yorker? yikes - way off my GOP reading list but I found her story so human and intimate but not at all judge-y. I seriously don't know how this got in my library - but sort of like a little miracle because i found her story from her completely different social and political leanings so completely compelling and told in a way that equalizes us all. her criticism of the al anon meeting is not a criticism of them or the program... it is her showing us her own vulnerability and therefore giving us a chance to look at our own similar faults.I never read those book club questions after the book but I did this time - I am not sure the questions even get the depth available in this book. but they are still pretty good.I also never have to look up words but looked up two in this book - and found the usage appropriate and not pretentious - something that "new yorker magazine" screams to me. the use of language just carried me along - i read this in two sittings - after finishing reading a book with my teenager and being in the mood for more fiction - which i thought this was - again - no idea how it got on my reading list - maybe i was drunk when i bought it. but i found it absolutely life changing.

As memórias da autora fazem pensar na vida. A história é inspiradora e apesar de tudo, deixa uma mensagem de esperança.

a book i couldn`t put down. it draws you in and her writing is just wonderful. very harsh story, nothing for a "light read".