Review: Home Repair
Eve’s mother is visiting and Eve’s having a garage sale. Her husband Chuck isn’t really interested in it, so he leaves. The problem is, he doesn’t return. He calls a few times, telling Eve not to worry, but she’s not really sure what’s going on. Eve’s mother decides not to return to Tennessee so that she can “help” Eve. Eve finds herself coping with grief, politics at work, an aging mother and two children.
Eve, the main character of Home Repair, by Liz Rosenberg is a strong character that most women can relate to. She’s trying to juggle all that life has thrown at her and sometimes she succeeds beautifully and sometimes she finds herself crying in the closet. I really liked Eve and rooted for her and her kids. Eve’s mother, Mrs. Dunrea, is a rather crotchety character, and will probably remind most people of someone they’ve had to deal with in their lives. Some of the secondary characters, who weren’t so well developed, ended up playing larger roles than I expected and I really wasn’t attached to them. I really appreciate the message of this book – that we can deal with what life gives us and often times become stronger because of it. The writing is fine, but the book was just okay for me.
Liz Rosenberg is a professor of English and Creative Writing. This is her first book for adults. You can listen to an interview of her on Blog Talk Radio.
Review copy provided by Book Club Girl.
Too bad you couldn’t get attached to the secondary characters! Primary or secondary, characters really define the experience we get of the book.
I really enjoyed all of these characters, and the story moved along at a nice clip for me. Don’t get what some readers are complaining about– one of the best books of 2009 in my opinion.
I really loved this one, too! Don’t understand the complaints about the cast of characters, I thought they were all pretty amazing and very true to life. I especially enjoyed the two kids (much like my own two) and that crotchety mother was just a hoot. Don’t be put off by the other comments, I’d say go see for yourself. I read this book in two days and would read her next one in a second.
On ANOTHER topic entirely, does anyone know a great book that is about law and justice?
I’m still working on the book. Summer blahs and all… When I do start going at it, and really get a good clip of reading in it, I do seem to enjoy it, though.
Ah well, they can’t all be winners, right?
It’s a bit disappointing that the secondary characters that played a bit role weren’t better developed. Not sure if this book is my cup of tea, but the story sounds interesting.
–Anna
Hmmm, I don’t think I will be adding that to my list. The next winner you get will be so much better after reading a so-so book. I started reading The Summer House by Nancy Thayer and it is great so far (I’m about 1/3 of the way into it). I know you liked the Castaways set on Nantucket so you might like this one. It’s for a Pump up Your Book Tour at the end of this month.
have a great week and happy reading.
Wow, the premise sounds so interesting; it’s too bad it didn’t live up to it.
The author is coming to town for a book signing in a few weeks. I’m not sure if I’ll be going or not, but this is something to consider.
These days, I have to be really interested in a book to justify adding it to my TBR pile. Think I might skip this one for now. Thanks for posting the interview link, I always like to listen to those.
The cover really caught my eye on this one, and I had added it to my list. Sorry it was more than okay for you….hate that!!
Not sure about this one but I really like the cover. I expected it to be something different by this cover.
Chuck sounds like a useless guy. I hope he had a good reason for leaving.
Maybe I have the summer doldrums, because I feel like I really stuck in the middle of a ‘meh’ book too. I feel like I should finish it, but its just not doing it for me. I’m having the same problem, character-wise, just not feelin’ it…..*sigh….
Spot on review! You captured many of my same feelings.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book either.
I noticed that earlier in the year you commented on a review of Beautiful Americans that you would be interested in the book. I am doing a giveaway of it right now in case you are still interested.
http://mrsvsreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Mrs.%20V%27s%20Monthly%20Giveaway
Eve does sound like a strong character. It’s too bad this one didn’t live up to your expectations in the end, but it sounds like you still got something out of it. Hopefully your next book will be better.
Too bad it wasn’t better. It seems like it would have been an awesome book with better characters.
There seems to be alot of books out w/this idea of a husband leaving and a woman figuring out how to survive w/o him. I think I’ll hold out for a better one.
Sometimes the connection is there and sometimes it isn’t. But I liked the way you described Eve and how we can all make it through the bad times! Thanks for an honest review of this book!!
Sounds like an interesting story premise. Thank you for the review.
I like the cover. I’m not really sure this book is for me though.
This wasn’t much more than chick lit for me either. An okay story, just not memorable I’m afraid. Perhaps with feedback she’ll do better on her next book. It’s nice to see an honest review.
I probably would have picked this book up for the cover. Even though it wasn’t your favorite, I’m curious enough about the main character to want to take a look. Good review.
I like the story line, and the title’s such a good title. It’s too bad the secondary characters just didn’t work for you.
I’ve been tempted by this one…mostly because of that darn cute cover.
I like the premise, but I’ve seen a couple of lukewarm reviews of the book (including yours), so I don’t think this one’s jumping into the TBR collection any time soon. Better luck with your next book
!
I like books with strong women and the general theme is good too. THe cover is too cute! I may still give this one a try.
I can’t decide about this one!
It is nice to have a character that you can root for. I love the cover. I still think I’d give it a shot. Thanks for the review.
I am adding this to my list to buy. Thank you, Kathy! This is a winner! Now to find patience as I wait for it. lol.
Your review is the first I have read and I am a little relieved that it’s not one I feel the need to add to my towering tbr pile. Thank you very much.
I loved this book, cover & all! To me the minor characters were almost the best part of the novel. I fell in love with these people & kept chuckling out loud. Actually, I read the whole book in less than a day. Not just chick lit, def deeper.
I pretty much agree with what you’ve said. Normally I enjoy this type of book, but my problem was that I didn’t get pulled into the story and ended up not really caring. Good read at the time, but once done, pretty much forgotten.