This Is How It Always Is
Ratings91
Average rating4.2
I kept seeing this book on Hardcover and although I wasn't going to read it at first, after seeing it for the umpteenth time I was like "fine, okay, I will read it." That's probably not the best way to decide what book to read, but it worked out for me because I liked it a lot.
This book was not at all what I was expecting it to be, it was definitely better and I feel like I went through a brand new experience that I could not have had went through otherwise. Rosie and Penn were such a great couple, the understanding between them and the way they worked together naturally, without fuss, was beautiful. They made a beautiful big family together and nurtured it in a way that most families should do. I am saying most and not all because I don't think a certain style can apply to everyone, but Rosie and Penn are an example to follow.
And because Rosie and Penn did such a great job, all of their kids were amazing. I liked all of them and I enjoyed seeing them grow. Also, while reading I thought that for sure this book could not have been written by someone who did not have kids or grew up in a big family. I know the author has a daughter from the Author's Note in the book, and I think she does have siblings based on my looking it up, but I could not find any certain answer (not that I looked very hard), but either way, the family dynamics in the book is flawless, if these are not real kids, then I don't know what they are.
I might have said, me and others I am sure, that this book is about Claude and/or Poppy, but I don't think it is. Yes, they are a big part of it, but this is mostly about the family itself, about Rosie and Penn trying to make the right decission, their approach to new, to unexplored, to continue rising their kids with the same care and responsability no matter what. And I liked that angle so much. It is new and unexplored for me too and I really can't say anything but wonderful job to Rosie and Penn, they are such awesome parents.
If I would have known more about this book before reading it and if Hardcover wouldn't have been pushing it in front of me, I would have not read it and I would have missed out. So thank you to the forces that brough this book to me, it was an amazing read.
Narrator was excellent, Rosie's story sucked me in right from the beginning with her ER doctoring and Penn only slightly annoyed me as the book went on (he was like the Wise, Moral-Teaching Parent, ALWAYS, and Rosie started to become that too right at the very end). But overall this family was beautiful in the way they loved and cared for each other, and it felt like a realistic chaos of having five! children!, and also Poppy and her friends were sweet and I wish the world was easier for kids that are different.
Beautifully written and a wonderful story. Gets tense but the family is worth it.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/t9bbYdmhPO0
So much to say about this one. It's a fairytale within a fairytale.
Highly recommend listening to the audiobook because the narrator is FANTASTIC. Really made the story come alive.
We will discuss at book club next week, and I'm so excited to do so. The richness of things to discuss makes this a perfect book club pick. While I loved this book, it broke my heart many times, for many reasons. The author sums up so much in this quote from her end note. “I wish for my child, for all our children, a world where they can be who they are and become their most loved, blessed, appreciated selves”. “I know this book will be controversial, but honestly? I keep forgetting why”. Definitely worth a read.
Fascinating ,relatable at times, as most well written books would be, I guess. Awesome parenthood and not only, related quotes!
Reading Challenge category: a book with a six word title
I LOVED this book. I don't even know what else to say about it.
4.5 stars
Compelling and compassionate! I appreciated the humor and the honesty of the conversations between the parents and their 5 children. Looking forward to reading other Frankel novels.