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Nilufer Ozmekik's Reviews > Same As It Ever Was
Same As It Ever Was
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I was eagerly anticipating one of the year's most highly anticipated literary fiction releases from the author of “The Most Fun We Ever Had”: a novel delving into the complexities of a dysfunctional family and the introspective journey of a middle-aged woman reconsidering her life choices during her husband's thirtieth birthday, marked by surprising announcements from her children.
The narrative takes us on a journey to meet Julia Ames, a 57-year-old librarian and mother of two: Ben, a 24-year-old, and Alma, a rebellious teenage daughter. Despite appearing to have the life she always dreamed of, Julia's chance encounter with an estranged friend, Helen Russo, at a luxury grocery store sets off a chain of events that unravels hidden secrets from their pasts.
As we delve deeper into Julia's world, we witness Alma's struggle to find her identity through various rebellious acts, while Ben's decision to marry his pregnant girlfriend at a young age prompts Julia to confront her own memories of youth. Throughout the story, Julia grapples with self-sabotage, mental health issues, and the challenges of balancing her roles as a mother and wife.
Like the author's previous works, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the unconventional yet realistic dynamics of this family and the well-developed characters that feel like genuine individuals. The detailed and vivid descriptions add depth to the narrative, although the book's length and some slower-paced chapters prevented me from giving it a full five-star rating. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most finely crafted literary works of the year, deserving a spot on your reading list.
I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC copy of this highly anticipated literary fiction book.
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The narrative takes us on a journey to meet Julia Ames, a 57-year-old librarian and mother of two: Ben, a 24-year-old, and Alma, a rebellious teenage daughter. Despite appearing to have the life she always dreamed of, Julia's chance encounter with an estranged friend, Helen Russo, at a luxury grocery store sets off a chain of events that unravels hidden secrets from their pasts.
As we delve deeper into Julia's world, we witness Alma's struggle to find her identity through various rebellious acts, while Ben's decision to marry his pregnant girlfriend at a young age prompts Julia to confront her own memories of youth. Throughout the story, Julia grapples with self-sabotage, mental health issues, and the challenges of balancing her roles as a mother and wife.
Like the author's previous works, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the unconventional yet realistic dynamics of this family and the well-developed characters that feel like genuine individuals. The detailed and vivid descriptions add depth to the narrative, although the book's length and some slower-paced chapters prevented me from giving it a full five-star rating. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most finely crafted literary works of the year, deserving a spot on your reading list.
I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing me with the opportunity to read and review an ARC copy of this highly anticipated literary fiction book.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
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Same As It Ever Was.
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Reading Progress
March 12, 2024
–
Started Reading
March 12, 2024
– Shelved
March 17, 2024
–
Finished Reading
