Realistic portayal of a relationship
Bewertet mit 5 Sternen
This is the story of Tom & Esme told by looking back at their 24 most significan moments. "Not the best moments, she had been careful to write in her rules. The most significant." And that is exactly what you get here. It's not a book full of the two getting all lovey-dovey. Instead it presents us with a way more realistic view on relationships than most other chick-lit books. Because we all know how easily an argument can start, or that not all days during a 10-year-relationship can be rosy.
Although the book has a 3rd person narrator, the reader feels closer to Tom. We learn more details about him, also things Esme does not know, while at the same time we get to know Esme only through the eyes of Tom. I have to admit that I found Esme not always likable. She comes across quite bossy, especially at the beginning. She sets the rules for the relationship, and it seems as if Tom doesn't have a say in it. But he could have simply said no to her and moved on. And she is only being honest & fair by telling him right from the start what is important to her. Still, Esme was not my favorite character in this book.
But I did like them both together. Just like their relationship was depicted in a very authentic way, I found their dialogues pretty realistic. I also liked the serious problems mentioned here. And I very much liked the ending. It's different, it's brave, and it's definitely fitting.