I read a big chunk of this book (all but 10-15 pages) before writing the majority of this review. If only I knew what a big difference 10-15 pages could make… So enjoy the pre-last pages review and I’ll let you know when to start freaking out.
If every book was like this, I would have finished my Reading Bingo in less than a month. Have You Got Anything Stronger? was not a book on my Goodreads lists to say the least. It didn’t pass my radar at all. This purchase was as spontaneous as it gets. While visiting Notting Hill Bookshop with my friend that was visiting from Sweden, a small sign reading “local author” was all we needed to pick this one up (Oh, and the phrase “...and having husband whose tits are bigger than yours” neatly tucked in the back blurb).
Of all the surprises of 2023, devouring the majority of this book in less than a day while holidaying in Santorini was surely unexpected. I remember debating whether or not I’d need two books and the regret I’d feel on Day 2 when I had nothing left to read. Seriously, I couldn’t put it down.
As someone who almost exclusively reads romance novels, I shouldn’t have enjoyed this book. It’s gritty and grim, but fabulously entertaining. Edward-Jones perfectly encapsulates the tedious life of a suburban mother, a loveless marriage, cheating and mundanity like nothing I’ve ever been drawn to read before. Nothing really happens, there’s not really a big event or plot development leading anywhere, it’s just a series of events that will probably crack you up and keep you wanting more. (Oh, how naive.)
My favourite details were the husband being referred to exclusively as Husband, how wonderfully irritating the children are and a trampoline advertisement that was the cause of much embarrassment. It’s nothing I could relate to, I couldn’t even place myself in any of the characters shoes which I often enjoy as my imagination runs rampant while I read. However, this didn’t deter me from powering through. This book was an escape.
There’s an absence of optimism and happiness, so much so that my friend couldn’t bear to read it before going to bed so as not to sleep with the weight of that sort of mindset. Maybe there’s something messed up with me as to why I could enjoy it so much. I genuinely had a hard time putting it down and I have the tanlines to show for it. There’s something calming about not being overwhelmed with emotion or having to endure the protagonist's constant extreme lows and/or highs. Yes, there’s a steady rhythm of lows, but nothing to tidal wave the reader with sadness or even hope.
In support of a local author, definitely pick this one up and see if your reading habits are as sadistic as maybe mine are.
Now, those last 10-15 pages. What. The. Fuck. The absolute rollercoaster ride that unfolded shook me right through. After settling on the opinion that not much was happening and enjoying the easy ride, there was quite the turn of events that had me floored. I texted everyone I knew furiously, unable to understand how or why the last few pages were necessary. While I get a desire for hope, not much had pointed the reader in this direction. Regardless of the last few pages, I would still recommend this novel. If not for the wild ending, but for the relatively calm ride approaching it.
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