seriously, stop analyzing and enjoy the ride

Would you listen to Truly Madly Guilty again? Why?

I can't believe that there are so many negative reviews. Yes it's long, but I haven't finished and can't wait to get into my car to commute and hear what happens next. It may not be as complex as some of her past works, but it makes you really think.Sometimes people are so critical because the can be. Remember... this is a read...it's not real or life or death. It's entertainment. I LOVE this book and don't want it to end!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clementine. And the girls. I love the way Caroline Lee portrays kids in a feisty manner!

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108 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not quite enough

As many others, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the release of Moriarty's new book. "Big Little Lies" by her was in my top 10 books of all times.
With expectations high, this story was disappointing. 4 stars is generous. I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. I'm rating it four stars because Caroline Lee as the narrator is inspired. She is amazing. Her accents are fun and bring the characters to life, the emotion she brings added more to the story than was actually there.
Moriarty is a master at developing characters, but in this book, there wasn't enough of a story to carry the characters. The drama in this book was almost non-existent which left the characters not doing much at all. When they did respond to situations, they overreacted almost to the point of absurd.
The book in audio form made it entertaining. I enjoyed the listen. The story however left me wanting more.

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106 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Disappointing.

I've enjoyed all of Liane Moriarity's books, have listened to quite a few of them twice. I was anxious for the release of this one. This book seemed like Liane was under the gun from her publisher to push out another one using her traditional formula. But none of the characters were interesting - I really didn't care what happened to any of them. And (with the exception of Vid) none of them entertained at all. The two couples were just depressing. The book was a downer - and Liane has tackled really tough issues in her other books, yet there was so much to care about in the characters that you kept going - couldn't stop. Here, honestly I only finished it because it is in the queue in my car on the commute. Had I actually had to hold it as a book and read it - I would never have finished it.
Caroline Lee did the best she could with the material. Most listeners know - she's great in this genre.

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85 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Truly madly disappointing and mediocre

I apologize to all of those who have read my reviews recommending audiobooks by Liane Moriarty. I've read or listened to all of her books and have found the most recent six to be consistently wonderful. I really looked forward to the release of Truly Madly Guilty. Listening to this book was hard labor. The first half is both boring and confusing. There is none of the humor Moriarty usually delivers. The book improves in the second half but not by enough to make it better than three stars. Indeed, I can make a strong case for two stars.

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64 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Hate Myself for Loving You

Moriarty, or I should say her writing, reminds me of a captivating friend I once had. People were drawn to the woman; she was a very pretty blond, manicured to the teeth, (literally, her husband was a dentist) drove the requisite European car, and had an outfit (and accessories) to match every occasion -- you know the type, wellies for rain, Ralph Lauren black label for soccer, pearl earrings, and so on ad nausea [sp]. She always spoke with an animated face, a dazzling smile, and a voice that could charm a dog down from a meat truck...she was spectacularly the stereotype of a Miss America grown up and embracing marriage and motherhood. Of course Mrs. Perfect inspired jealousy in people...but when you got to know her very well, as in best friend well, she was really amazing, it was beyond bizarre! -- the woman could talk up the most boring story and keep you captivated (thereby the *captivating* friend) for hours upon hours. You were never bored with her stories about her neighbors, her kids, associates, town dignitaries..."I don't mean to gossip or say anything mean but have you ever..." I don't know where the time went as the daily drudgeries and trivialities of the inhabitants of her social circle and neighborhood were babbled about, jabbered, blubbered, chatted, scandalized, glorified. Was there ever a more dazzling recounting of someone emptying their garbage can in their nightgown?! If you were in earshot, you were mesmerized. Bottom line: the woman could tell a story.

I feel that way about Moriarty. There's more going on in my neighborhood than in most of her books, but she knows how to put together a story, and narrator Caroline Lee knows how to perfectly -- not just tell, but bring to life that story and the characters. (Lee may be the saving grace for this one.) As long as I am listening, I'm captivated; but I always close her books and feel disappointed. It's a little like making a cross-country trip to see the world's largest ball of yarn.

There is a comfy feel of familiarity to Moriarty's writing; this book is no exception. It's a fairly enjoyable trip with a so-so destination. 17 hours is a lot of time to invest in so-so if you've got anything in your TBR queue. There isn't much take away, even though it ends in a nicely tied up ball. This is one that I'd say go ahead if you really feel compelled to do so...but don't tell anyone I told you to.

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44 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Enjoyed?

Our host always says he hopes we have enjoyed the program. I don't think 'enjoyed' really fits here. So many times I wanted to stop listening, because the collective pain and discomfort of the characters was just too much. The day of the bbq kept coming back like the day that would never end. Don't misunderstand. The book is brilliantly done, but it is not an easy listen. At least it wasn't for me. I'm still a bit unsettled, but that says a lot about the book's impact. As always, Caroline Lee is exceptional. Don't skip her interview of Liane Moriarity at the end.

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44 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Modify Expectations

This book is good if you release your expectation for intricate and compelling storylines that are typical from this author. It took 4 hours for this book to become interesting. Was it worth it? I guess. The story ended up exploring some complex aspects of human relationships, with topics of mental health, complicated close friendships, guilt, and infertility. It made me consider another life as all Moriarty books do, but I found the initial tone to be frivolous.
I love this narrator! Despite that, I think she tried to compensate for the lack of intrigue by over performing at the beginning. Caroline Lee is still very good.

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38 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

I Tried Really Hard

I have listened to all of Liane's books on Audiable and was excited waiting for this book to be released. I am sad to say though that I found this book was impossible to get through. I started it over no less than five times and still could not get hooked. The story is confusing and truthfully, I couldn't even find a story in it. I am going to have to return this one as I don't think there is anyway I can get through it. Total disappointment and I really feel bad saying that,

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26 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Superb in every way!

Where does Truly Madly Guilty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best book I've listened to since Liane M's last book 2 years ago! I love these people, and am missing them already altho I have an hour of listening left. They feel real, and getting to know each of them, their thoughts and feelings is emotionally moving.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I don't know how she does it, it's like peeling the best, most nuanced, most interesting and flavorful story onion of all!

What does Caroline Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her narration is also so well done, each character is clearly who they are, even when we're inside their heads. I, of course, especially loved her performance of Vid -- she captured his free-spirit, hail all ye fellows personality as well as his kindness and generosity -- what's not to like?

Any additional comments?

Bravo Ms. Moriarty! You did it again!

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Picky Readers...Heads Up!!

I only finish about 50 percent of the books I start. I tend to make it about half-way through them, and then there is this imaginary oven timer in my head, and it's like, "Ding! Turkey's done." Only it's the book that's done. I'm a picky reader, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

But there are authors that I read everything they write and have to force myself to put their books down because I would like to read their work straight through. Liane Moriarty is one of those authors.

For whatever reason, a vast majority of readers love the writing of Liane Moriarty. I know that her story structure is usually the same, that multiple characters will have secrets and play a part in a multi-faceted mystery, and that there will be more relationship dramas than I usually can tolerate. But I read her books and love them. Would I enjoy the novels as much without the narration of Caroline Lee? No, I don't think I would. They are a great team. And I will always gladly throw my credit back into Audible's bucket for the chance to read a new story by Liane Moriarty.

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14 personnes ont trouvé cela utile