Play Book Tag discussion

**Wow, did this book fit the theme of Family Drama. It's 100% on the nose!**

I think a lot of people will not like this one. It's very unclear what exactly happens. It's like a literary puzzle. Personally, I love books like this. Ones where I feel engaged while reading it, but then I have to figure out what the author intended. But I also see how it can be completely frustrating. Would absolutely love to read this for a face to face book club. I definitely have theories! I want to re-read parts of the first section to see if there are clues and foreshadowing I may have missed.

The main character is an actress and the entire book is written from her perspective. I believe her to be an unreliable narrator, but that's an interpretation that's up for grabs. As the story progresses we have more and more insight into the family dynamic between her, her husband, Tomas, and her adult son, Xavier. It's a bit dark and definitely artsy. A Hot Milk kind of vibe without the great setting.

UPDATE: After reading this one, I re-visited it on audio. It totally stood up to a re-read, and I actually appreciated all the more the second time around. I had a theory in my mind after the first read, and I felt more secure in my interpretations. I think there are some really excellent observations about life, family relationships, and more. Totally convinced this one was worthy of it's Booker nomination. I love books like this one - - ones that make you really think and where the reader brings their own view of life to the book. I could read it again.

So glad to see you loved it as much as I did, Anita! I could definitely read it again.

I see everyone enjoying this one. I just missed it. It feels random for the sake of being random. Even watching interviews with the author didn't help me.

Jason wrote: "I see everyone enjoying this one. I just missed it. It feels random for the sake of being random. Even watching interviews with the author didn't help me."

I'm sorry, Jason, that this didn't work for you.

I didn't perceive it as random. I think the main narrator was unreliable (view spoiler)[perhaps with Alzheimer's or mental illness (hide spoiler)]. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was actually going on, and I read it a second time -- which definitely helped me to see more of the clues I was seeking. I feel like I could read it a third time, lol.

Joy D wrote: "So glad to see you loved it as much as I did, Anita! I could definitely read it again."

If it wins I may read it a third time!

I am tempted to re-read it. If it wins I probably will. :-)