Wednesday, 30 March 2016

Landline



Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now. 

Maybe that was always beside the point. 

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her. 

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything. 

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts... 
Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

***

I first discovered this book whilst looking for a good book to send to one of my "Pay-It-Forward" recipients. This book made it into the Goodreads Choice 2014 Winner's list for Fiction books. What attracted me to this book is the idea of a magic phone that connects the caller (in this case, Georgie McCool, the main character) to the past. Hmmm... sounds like some type of Korean drama. So I did expect a really interesting read.

I like books that are easy to understand and follow through. And I also like books that I can't put down (except if I got really sleepy). I think Rainbow Rowell delivered on those points. Sometimes the jump between the past and the present were kind of confusing, but I'm good with most of the transitions.

The story itself is really interesting and I could somewhat relate with my own life (not that me and husband had a fight where he left and didn't pick up my call at all). What I'm trying to say is that readers could be encouraged to look into their own relationship and give a deep thought about it whilst reading through this book. Well, if it doesn't apply to you, it did apply to me :). While Georgie was trying to appreciate what Neal has done in the past, it made me think about all the things that my husband did for me as well. To be honest, Neal is such a good support for Georgie. They're like two different worlds that fused together beautifully. I do kind of envy her married life.

The ending is sort of predictable. Georgie's colleague finally confesses his love to her (SPOILER ALERT) and the fate of the current has somewhat turned around, Georgie going through storm and snow trying to reach the love of her life, Neal.

I think this book is a slow read. It did made me unable to put down, but not enough to make me want to quickly flip from page to page. I did get a little bored around the 70-80% part of the book, but once Georgie got her mind and act together and made her big decision, that's when I feel like I wanted to 'run' through the remaining pages of the book. I would recommend this book with 4 star rating :).

Image source: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18081809-landline
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