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Source: QuickMeme[/caption]Okay, done with the adjectives. I just finished reading Landline, and I have to be honest, I'm still reeling from all the emotions and the thoughts that had me walking to the office like a dazed zombie (because I slept late reading and then continued reading while inside the bus this morning). So forgive me if this goes a little incoherent along the way.
I've love Rainbow Rowell since I read Fangirl. Loved her even more when I read Eleanor & Park. And then totally made me wish I was friends with her when I read Attachments. After three books and months of waiting, I finally got my hands on Landline. I was a little bit scared for Rainbow because I'm sure she knows that a lot of people loved her first three books and are expecting nothing but the best from her. How's that for pressure? But she is Rainbow Rowell and she is awesome so she came up with another gem.
Georgie is a mess, literally and figuratively. Her relationship with Neal is obviously not perfect. It's also clear that they love each other. But is love enough? Isn't that always the question? I should tell you now (and I think being in a romantic relationship myself makes me certain of this) that it's not. It rarely is.
Through flashbacks and weird phone conversations, Rowell shows us that Georgie and Neal's relationship is flawed. I'd go as far as saying that it's unhealthy. Yes, unhealthy. Georgie is too busy. Neal doesn't know what to do with his life. They don't talk about big decisions. They are both unhappy. These go against some of my principles in life (communication is key, you shouldn't stay if you're unhappy, etc.) but I am not saying that I'd rather see Georgie and Neal get divorced. Because this is still me, I still want things to work out and I still need a happy ending.
There were some parts that I found too slow... or maybe that's just because I wanted Georgie to get her shit together and start acting fast. That's why by the end of Chapter 23, I was smiling. Man, this book is like something out of a holiday movie, like Love Actually and Home Alone and The Holiday. (I just spouted random Christmas-themed movies to drive my point.) The best part, besides the ending, is the red truck with a girl and a boy. If you've read the book, you'd know what I'm talking about. ;)
I love that Rainbow Rowell showed me a flawed marriage and why it's that way and how it can be saved. Being in a 5-year relationship, yes, I do think about these things and I think I need more books like this one. But this book is not for everyone, certainly not for people who loved Rowell's YA novels. The themes in this book are mature and big and deep.
While this is not my favorite Rowell book (I'm torn between Eleanor & Park and Attachments), it does not disappoint. It's all the adjectives I mentioned above and I would have given it 5 stars if I wasn't confused with the magic landline and its powers. Confusion aside, the magic landline didn't stop this book from being realistic and beautiful so hell yeah, I recommend this to all of you. (And I think you should read it now before someone turns it into a movie, which is highly possible.)
As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.
I learned about Landline from tumblr when someone posted a giveaway for it. Then Stephanie Perkins made a quick review about during her booksigning. She said she read it while on a plane and she was crying after reading it and called her husband to make sure their relationship is fine. It's already in my phone now. I'll be reading it after Fangirl. :)
ReplyDeleteAwe, beautiful review Joy!! I, too, am a huge Rowell fan and this sounds like a much deeper conflicted novel than her last few. Definitely an adult one for sure, but I love the elements and her writing style so I already have high hopes even after reading these reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many good things about it but the thing that scares me off is the love triangle situation. I realize it isn't actually a proper love triangle but a friend and I were talking and I realized I wouldn't really be able to enjoy this book as much as everyone else since I can be slightly touchy.
ReplyDeleteBut I am glad you were able to enjoy this and that you found the relationship to be very realistic! :)
Lovely review, Joy!! :)
I wish my mom read because I feel like this book would be perfect for her. Fangirl definitely made my list of favorite contemporary books and I've been meaning to read her adult novels but haven't gotten around to it yet. Love the point you made about love, sounds like this one has a really great moral.
ReplyDeleteAww... Stephanie Perkins. <3 This book reminded me of my boyfriend, too, and made me think a lot of our future. Read Fangirl because argh... basta, read it first.
ReplyDeleteConflicted. That is the word that summarizes all of this. It's a good thing, actually. The book is very thought-provoking. Thanks for stopping by, Kat. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Rashika! I forgot to mention that. Even though it's not really a love triangle, it bugged me. But I guess that's because my idea of a husband is someone that's also my best friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Rashika. :)
Now that you've mentioned it, YES, this is perfect for moms!!! I love that Rainbow does so well in both YA and adult fiction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Alise. :)