topic Re: Nine Perfect Strangers in Book Club

Nine Perfect Strangers

Ainhisg — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 14:28:29 GMT

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty...was anyone disappointed in this book besides me? I am a huge Liane Moriarty fan, but this book seemed like it was written by an entirely different person. For me, there was little depth of character, and the plot was unrealistic. The whole thing felt so disjointed. Once in awhile, there would be a passage where I would think, “THERE is the author I love,” but they were few and far between. I’ve read all of her work, and up until now, she had only written one other book I wasn’t crazy about (Truly Madly Guilty), but this new one is definitely my least favorite. I know some may have enjoyed it...we’re all different... but for me, it was a flop.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

deerfeeder — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 04:02:30 GMT

It's interesting that you have brought up this book tonight. I checked it out from the public library last week and have read the first 6 chapters. I almost returned it to the library today because it just doesn't hold my interest. This is my first Liane Moriarty book so I am thinking maybe I should keep reading and give it more of a chance. Your post makes me think I should just PTB. Anyone else not loving this book?

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

KathyM23 — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 04:03:01 GMT

@Ainhisg I did not like this book either - found it very boring. I have enjoyed all of her other books and was on the reserve waiting list for this one at the library for quite a while. Was very disappointed when I started reading it and could not get into it enough to finish it. Hopefully, her next book will be back to her normal interesting style.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

judy0330 — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 04:13:19 GMT

I finished it the other day and was just saying to my husband that it was one of the worst books I have ever read. The more I read -- the more ridiculous it became. Hard to believe it was written by the same author who wrote Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret. Very disappointing.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

GenXmuse — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 04:19:05 GMT

I’m with you! I kept wondering if this was a totally different author. It was outlandish! I normally love her books so I as definitely disappointed.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

domestically challenged — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 08:31:49 GMT

Agree! I was also disappointed and had to force myself to finish it.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

Alter Ego — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 12:16:45 GMT

Omigosh - I actually loved the book and included it as my favorite of the year! I listened on Audible (which needed to be at 1.25 speed.)

I actually didn’t always get Liane Moriarty’s hype - couldn’t believe how great the Big Little Lies miniseries was when I didn’t think the book was particularly special. And let’s just forget about Truly Madly Guilty, shall we?

But this one made me laugh. It was completely ridiculous and totally went off the rails. Without spoiling, I thought the story was modern - I had not heard of that before (not that that would be something I ever research.) And it had my favorite type of ending, where you find out what happens next in the characters’ lives.

I absolutely understand why people wouldn’t like it, but it really amused me. Like I said in my other posts, I cannot wait to see Nicole Kidman as Masha!

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

Ainhisg — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 14:25:37 GMT

@deerfeeder wrote:
It's interesting that you have brought up this book tonight. I checked it out from the public library last week and have read the first 6 chapters. I almost returned it to the library today because it just doesn't hold my interest. This is my first Liane Moriarty book so I am thinking maybe I should keep reading and give it more of a chance. Your post makes me think I should just PTB. Anyone else not loving this book?

I don't know whether to advise you to keep reading it or not. lol I hate this has been your first experience with LM, because this book is NOT AT ALL the author's norm. Everyone has different tastes, but I would suggest you try these LM books: Big Little Lies, The Husband's Secret, and The Last Anniversary. Like someone else mentioned, do not get Truly Madly Guilty. When LM is on her game, her books are amazing, thought-provoking, and tear-jerking depending on how you relate to the character. My heart literally skips a beat when I find out she's coming out with a new book. This last one was such a dud (for me), though, that my heart may be fine from now on. lol

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

GenXmuse — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 20:05:57 GMT

The Husband’s Secret is my favorite of hers!

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

LoriLori — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 23:05:38 GMT

Sorry you didn't like "Nine Perfect Strangers." I loved it and I know a lot of people didn't. What made it for me were the characters, she always has interesting characters and puts them in unique situations. Frances is one of my favorite's in all her books.

My advice with Liane Moriarty is to start with her first book, "Three Wishes." And if you like or love it, read her through "Big Little Lies." Love them all. I have a soft spot for "Three Wishes" because it was her first book, I love the book, it's charming and I was excited to discover this great new writer.

As others have said, skip "Truly Madly Guilty."

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

teganslaw — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 23:23:55 GMT

I read Truly Madly Guilty (the only book of Liane Moriarty's I read) and wasn't very impressed. The book started out slowly , and the characters weren' t that interesting. I don'rt know if I'll read anyhting else by her' there are other authors I'd rather read first.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

GenXmuse — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 23:52:08 GMT

I haven’t read Truly, Madly, Guilty but I take it, it’s pretty awful. What do you all think went wrong with it?

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

teganslaw — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 00:21:16 GMT

@GenXmuse wrote:
I haven’t read Truly, Madly, Guilty but I take it, it’s pretty awful. What do you all think went wrong with it?

The book implied that a friendly BBQ event went terribly wrong. However, it took forever to get to that point, and when we found out what happened, all I could think was "this is it? This is what the book is about?" A disappointing read.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

GenXmuse — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 01:19:24 GMT

Thank you @teganslaw. That does sound disappointing after such the build up!

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

MeemaJoan — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 03:19:00 GMT

After reading the reviews on the board, I thought I was the only one that didn't like like this book. It started out fine and I was looking forward to reading it but in my opinion it got ridiculous and I don't think I will read any more of her books. I enjoyed The Husband's Secret and What Alice Forgot, both of which I read years ago.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

smoky22 — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 04:44:12 GMT

I've read several of her books and I'm not always a fan. (I didn't like Big Little Lies, I did like the Husband's Secret). I think this is the best book she's ever written. I found the characters very relatable and thought they were nicely fleshed out. I loved the way she finished up everything at the end.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

LoriLori — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 14:43:49 GMT

@teganslaw wrote:

@GenXmuse wrote:
I haven’t read Truly, Madly, Guilty but I take it, it’s pretty awful. What do you all think went wrong with it?

The book implied that a friendly BBQ event went terribly wrong. However, it took forever to get to that point, and when we found out what happened, all I could think was "this is it? This is what the book is about?" A disappointing read.

For me it was the couple who hosted the barbecue. I didn't like them which is a first for me with Liane M.'s characters. She writes such great characters. I liked every other character in Truly Madly Guilty.

And as @teganslaw said, the book builds to whatever happened at this barbecue, twists are one of her signatures, and the big twist was a bigtime letdown. But:

SPOILER

The elderly neighbor's fate was a poignant twist that was surprising and moving and though it didn't redeem the book for me, it made feel my time wasn't completely wasted.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

GenXmuse — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 00:13:55 GMT

@LoriLori Thanks for the insight. She’s quite brilliant with her characterizations.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

roeroe1005 — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 04:36:46 GMT

I started Nine Perfect Strangers Wednesday night, returned it to the library today. I read maybe the first 50 pages and thought no way.

I've read her other books, but this one was not worth it. I thought I would try again at a later point, but after reading most of your reviews, I'll pass.

Re: Nine Perfect Strangers

esmerelda — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 21:18:07 GMT

I haven’t read this book and I won’t be reading it because I’ve been off this author for a long time. I really loved The Husband’s Secret and recently I read What Alice Forgot, only because I already had it in my Audible.com library.

Talk about an unbelievable plot…The Last Anniversary was beyond ridiculous IMO. I’ve been tempted to read a couple of her other books, but The Last Anniversary is still too fresh in my mind from 2 or 3 years ago. And there are too many other better books to be read.