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Appetite: A Novel
When Jenn Adler returns from a year in India, she has a surprise for her parents: a young guru from Bangalore whom she intends to marry. Her father, Paul, is wary of this beggar Jenn has brought home who, he suspects, is conning his much-loved daughter while her mother, Maggie, is frightened that this alien stranger will steal away her only child, her focus in life. In the months leading up to the backyard wedding, Maggie is forced to reevaluate her virtues as she casts about for support, and Paul faces an unexpected threat at work one that Maggie could help him meet, if he would only ask. But even with these distractions, the two parents are focused on one primary question: Can they convince their daughter she is making a terrible mistake before the wedding takes place?
- GenresFictionWomens Fiction
328 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2016
21 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 13, 2016
If you’ve ever seen your daughter fall for someone who doesn’t seem right, you know why Maggie Adler is worried. (If you’ve ever loved someone your family disapproves of, you know daughter Jenn’s side of the story.)
But Appetite is full of surprises. Is Jenn’s lover Arun—the guru she met in India—a deep thinker, or a charlatan? Can Maggie’s neglectful husband Paul—“out of tune with her heart, in so many ways”—convince Jenn not to marry Arun…or will his narrow-mindedness drive the lovers even closer? And what’s the secret in their past that has Jenn’s parents on high alert?
Sheila Grinell’s novel skillfully interweaves perspectives and plotlines—the impending marriage and loss of a daughter, a tantalizing encounter with a sexy stranger, a biomedical research drama, infidelity. Writing with insight, warmth and telling detail, Grinell gives us an intimate view of the hopes and fears that tie a family together…and push them apart.
But Appetite is full of surprises. Is Jenn’s lover Arun—the guru she met in India—a deep thinker, or a charlatan? Can Maggie’s neglectful husband Paul—“out of tune with her heart, in so many ways”—convince Jenn not to marry Arun…or will his narrow-mindedness drive the lovers even closer? And what’s the secret in their past that has Jenn’s parents on high alert?
Sheila Grinell’s novel skillfully interweaves perspectives and plotlines—the impending marriage and loss of a daughter, a tantalizing encounter with a sexy stranger, a biomedical research drama, infidelity. Writing with insight, warmth and telling detail, Grinell gives us an intimate view of the hopes and fears that tie a family together…and push them apart.
May 30, 2016
4.5 stars
This was an interesting book because it examines something that I often think about...what makes us feel happy, content and satisfied in life. What do we do or have the right to do when we have strong opinions about the choices those we love are making. This book is about family, love, relationships...life and all that is encompasses. It is engrossing, interesting and original. It is a great book club choice because there is a lot to be discussed. 4.5 stars
This was an interesting book because it examines something that I often think about...what makes us feel happy, content and satisfied in life. What do we do or have the right to do when we have strong opinions about the choices those we love are making. This book is about family, love, relationships...life and all that is encompasses. It is engrossing, interesting and original. It is a great book club choice because there is a lot to be discussed. 4.5 stars
April 5, 2016
Lurking under the surface of this simple story of a New York family - their jealousies and worries, longings and hopes - is an exploration of appetite in its many forms. There's the father with his hungry pursuit of a biomedical mystery (and other desires), the mother with her lagging appetites and occasional binges, and the daughter, newly returned from India, who seems unaccountably satisfied with her chosen soulmate, a modern-day guru. A reader might feel like a parent wishing for the best for her daughter, realizing the plot might not unfold the way she hopes - but feeling, in the end, as if she's finished a satisfying meal.
The author appears to draw on her long career with science museums in the references to laboratory life that are woven into the plot. It's refreshing to see research treated as part of life, as messy and uncertain as any other human endeavor. Maybe she'll slip more science communication into her next book! I'll look forward to finding out.
The author appears to draw on her long career with science museums in the references to laboratory life that are woven into the plot. It's refreshing to see research treated as part of life, as messy and uncertain as any other human endeavor. Maybe she'll slip more science communication into her next book! I'll look forward to finding out.
May 21, 2016
I was not too sure about this book when I read the premise. However this actually turned out to be a pretty good book. My only issues were that I could not find a strong emotional connection to the Adler family. In fact, I thought the one that was going to be way out there and would be a turn off would be Jenn's fiancé, Arun. It turns out that he was the nice one. He was very practical and I felt horrible for him that Jenn's parents treated him so badly.
I could never like Paul. For the things he did and the clinical and mean ways he came off towards people, there was not a moment where he was likable. Maggie was a different story. She give in too much and her voice was small and sometimes a whisper in the story. Jenn was fine but nothing too exciting about her. My favorite was Arun. From the first moment that I met him I felt a warmth about him that made him a people person. This book was an alright read.
I could never like Paul. For the things he did and the clinical and mean ways he came off towards people, there was not a moment where he was likable. Maggie was a different story. She give in too much and her voice was small and sometimes a whisper in the story. Jenn was fine but nothing too exciting about her. My favorite was Arun. From the first moment that I met him I felt a warmth about him that made him a people person. This book was an alright read.
May 18, 2016
I always wonder why each book I read has the title it does. For this book I didn't wonder for long. The book is appropriately titled Appetite, and not only because of food.
Ms. Grinell gives us a small group of characters and weaves in their appetites. The prodigal daughter, Jenn, comes home with an announcement and it sends shock waves through her parents' lives. Ms. Grinell writes in such a way it is easy to turn the pages and find out whose appetite is going to be satisfied or who will walk away hungry.
I highly recommend this book as a summer read. It was fresh and at times funny. At the end I felt victory for the characters who were satisfied!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher for my honest review.
Ms. Grinell gives us a small group of characters and weaves in their appetites. The prodigal daughter, Jenn, comes home with an announcement and it sends shock waves through her parents' lives. Ms. Grinell writes in such a way it is easy to turn the pages and find out whose appetite is going to be satisfied or who will walk away hungry.
I highly recommend this book as a summer read. It was fresh and at times funny. At the end I felt victory for the characters who were satisfied!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher for my honest review.
May 25, 2016
Definitely a worthwhile read and one that will appeal to baby boomers as well as millennials; the age-old conflict of idealist youth and the quest to better the world versus the disillusionment of justifying choices already lived. Read my review at http://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogsp...
September 14, 2018
I purchased Sheila Grinell’s debut book from her table at the independent author’s booth at the Tucson Festival of Books. I love to support independent authors, and I’m always looking for an interesting read. I enjoy books that offer at least one character that speaks with a clear, intelligent voice and a thoughtful perspective. Appetite offers all of that and more. I highly recommend giving this book a try.
We immediately get to the heart of Maggie’s two, major life stresses—her daughter Jenn is on her way home from a stint in India with the expectation of planning a wedding, and Maggie is confused over growing feelings of estrangement from her medical researcher husband, Paul.
This is the story of a marriage and a family in transition. Maggie and Paul are facing the uncertainties and rethinking of priorities that are part of regrouping as empty nesters. Whatever their newly surfacing differences might be, they share a joint focus –deterring Jenn’s, plans to marry a young East Indian social worker, and move permanently back to India to live. Jenn turns out to be as complicated as the current situation, bringing to the table both youthful zeal and optimism, and an emotional depth resulting from working through a trauma she endured in the past.
We are treated to bird’s-eye-view insights as the POV switches back and forth from Maggie to Paul. Nothing is as it seems on the surface as they explore this “should-be” and “what-maybe-could-be” stage of life, coupled with the uncharted territory of their independent daughter’s determination to move forward with her own life plans.
Appetite is a rich and satisfying book. You won’t be disappointed.
We immediately get to the heart of Maggie’s two, major life stresses—her daughter Jenn is on her way home from a stint in India with the expectation of planning a wedding, and Maggie is confused over growing feelings of estrangement from her medical researcher husband, Paul.
This is the story of a marriage and a family in transition. Maggie and Paul are facing the uncertainties and rethinking of priorities that are part of regrouping as empty nesters. Whatever their newly surfacing differences might be, they share a joint focus –deterring Jenn’s, plans to marry a young East Indian social worker, and move permanently back to India to live. Jenn turns out to be as complicated as the current situation, bringing to the table both youthful zeal and optimism, and an emotional depth resulting from working through a trauma she endured in the past.
We are treated to bird’s-eye-view insights as the POV switches back and forth from Maggie to Paul. Nothing is as it seems on the surface as they explore this “should-be” and “what-maybe-could-be” stage of life, coupled with the uncharted territory of their independent daughter’s determination to move forward with her own life plans.
Appetite is a rich and satisfying book. You won’t be disappointed.
September 30, 2018
Completely 'underwhelmed'. The writer is clearly intelligent and the development of the individual characters was skillful. None of the characters were particularly likeable however. The 'plot' lacked depth and was completely devoid of any joy. The ending felt premature, with no satisfying 'tying up of ends'.
September 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It surprised me because it was a story about a family, and I just didn't want to put it down. I had picked up the book, not really knowing anything about it. I am looking forward to reading Sheila Grinell's other book. Make sure you go on her website to read the epilogue.
May 12, 2017
Great book. I was drawn in immediately. I really liked the female lead. There's a male lead as well, but pretty sure we're not supposed to like him. The author transitioned between the two POVs well and I wanted to know where everyone would end up. Really enjoyed this book.
July 7, 2024
It's not that I really disliked this book, it just didn't grab me. I would have liked to see what happened to the wife after leaving her husband and how her daughter and new husband end up doing. It felt like a lot of buildup for a mediocre ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2016
Earlier review stands. Just adjusted the stars correctly.
Read
June 12, 2016Originally posted on Bemused Bookworm.
I recieved this book in a box with other books from GoBooksparks.com for their 2016 Summer Reading Challenge. At first I was very interested in the book due to the cover and title. I’m not sure what I expected though. After reading the synopsis however, I became a little apprehensive. If you frequent my blog, you’ll know that I love YA. To me, YA is a genre full of hope and wonder. The characters are moving and evolving and learning. It just feels so freeing. Most of the Adult books I’ve read deal more with regret and immobiliity due to something they’ve done wrong or something else. Idk, I just find myself prefering YA, so you can see where the nervousness came from. At the beginning of the year however, I told myself to branch out. I think this book is a great choice when branching out because the story follows a few different people, one of which is the young(er) (my age) daughter. So, right from the start I felt better about the story.
The story itself follows the mother, father and daughter. It goes through the ups and downs of their relationships with each other and the people closest to them. The timeline covers about a year in real-time but also flashed back to the parents dating life, early marriage and other significant events for the family. Not all of these events are positive or pleasant and that really made this book kind of bittersweet. It’s very interesting for me to see the flashback of events then see the present and be able to specifially distinguish how that event shaped and modeled their personality and life. A lot of times while reading this, I was on the brink of tears… I’m not sure if the story is particulary sad or if it was because I could relate so well to the characters and their dilemmas. So, I guess that tells you how well written this book is.
As far as techinical aspects of the book, I didnt really find any problems. I’m not really one to preruse for grammar or storyline errors though. I found the writing style to be very good. All the characters were well developed and unique. While I liked learning about all the characters for the sake of the story, I cant say I liked the dad personally. Once you get into the first few chapters, you’ll know why…at the end though, I just felt really sad about his situation and the whole ordeal.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and had great characters. Even though I found it to be somewhat of a tear-jerker, I really do recommend it to anyone interested in storytelling, family and friendship. This story has a simpleness and honesty about it that I think anyone could enjoy. I really glad I got the chance to read this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I recieved this book in a box with other books from GoBooksparks.com for their 2016 Summer Reading Challenge. At first I was very interested in the book due to the cover and title. I’m not sure what I expected though. After reading the synopsis however, I became a little apprehensive. If you frequent my blog, you’ll know that I love YA. To me, YA is a genre full of hope and wonder. The characters are moving and evolving and learning. It just feels so freeing. Most of the Adult books I’ve read deal more with regret and immobiliity due to something they’ve done wrong or something else. Idk, I just find myself prefering YA, so you can see where the nervousness came from. At the beginning of the year however, I told myself to branch out. I think this book is a great choice when branching out because the story follows a few different people, one of which is the young(er) (my age) daughter. So, right from the start I felt better about the story.
The story itself follows the mother, father and daughter. It goes through the ups and downs of their relationships with each other and the people closest to them. The timeline covers about a year in real-time but also flashed back to the parents dating life, early marriage and other significant events for the family. Not all of these events are positive or pleasant and that really made this book kind of bittersweet. It’s very interesting for me to see the flashback of events then see the present and be able to specifially distinguish how that event shaped and modeled their personality and life. A lot of times while reading this, I was on the brink of tears… I’m not sure if the story is particulary sad or if it was because I could relate so well to the characters and their dilemmas. So, I guess that tells you how well written this book is.
As far as techinical aspects of the book, I didnt really find any problems. I’m not really one to preruse for grammar or storyline errors though. I found the writing style to be very good. All the characters were well developed and unique. While I liked learning about all the characters for the sake of the story, I cant say I liked the dad personally. Once you get into the first few chapters, you’ll know why…at the end though, I just felt really sad about his situation and the whole ordeal.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and had great characters. Even though I found it to be somewhat of a tear-jerker, I really do recommend it to anyone interested in storytelling, family and friendship. This story has a simpleness and honesty about it that I think anyone could enjoy. I really glad I got the chance to read this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 3, 2016
Appetite by Sheila Grinnell is listed under Women's Fiction and specifically under "contemporary women", so it peaked my curiosity right out of the box back when we got our May reading from BookSparks as part of the Summer Reading Challenge. (I tried to read the books in the order they were received and that's why this one got pushed to the bottom of the stack.)
The story involved in Appetite revolves around a daughter getting married and how it can change the entire family. The daughter in this case is Jenn Adler who has returned home after spending a year in India. Along with returning home, she shares an announcement that she is getting married. Her parents, Maggie and Paul do not approve of this wedding at all and do not approve of Jenn's fiancé, Arun.
As the story progresses, readers learn more about what led to Jenn leaving home in the first place. We readers also learn about the secrets that both of the parents, Maggie and Paul keep from each other. As I was reading this book, I kept thinking how it was kind of sad that neither parent could see how happy Jenn is because they are busy being miserable. Maggie is fearful of Arun while Paul is suspect of him, and all the while Jenn is just in love.
This book is about that kind of tricky situation, and has an interesting and suspenseful additional plot line. The ending turns out to be bittersweet and how an appetite for anything can change a family for good. I kept trying to figure out the title to this book while I was reading it and wondering how it related to the story, but by the time I turned the last page, I completely understood why it was the perfect name for this book!
This is one of those great summer reads - bring it to the beach or stay in on a rainy day and you'll breeze through it cover to cover! I believe this is Ms. Grinell's first novel, and I'll be one of those people eager to catch her future novels!
I received a complimentary hardbound copy of this book from the publishers and BookSparks as part of the 2016 Summer Reading Challenge in exchange for this post, which is my honest review and unbiased opinion.
The story involved in Appetite revolves around a daughter getting married and how it can change the entire family. The daughter in this case is Jenn Adler who has returned home after spending a year in India. Along with returning home, she shares an announcement that she is getting married. Her parents, Maggie and Paul do not approve of this wedding at all and do not approve of Jenn's fiancé, Arun.
As the story progresses, readers learn more about what led to Jenn leaving home in the first place. We readers also learn about the secrets that both of the parents, Maggie and Paul keep from each other. As I was reading this book, I kept thinking how it was kind of sad that neither parent could see how happy Jenn is because they are busy being miserable. Maggie is fearful of Arun while Paul is suspect of him, and all the while Jenn is just in love.
This book is about that kind of tricky situation, and has an interesting and suspenseful additional plot line. The ending turns out to be bittersweet and how an appetite for anything can change a family for good. I kept trying to figure out the title to this book while I was reading it and wondering how it related to the story, but by the time I turned the last page, I completely understood why it was the perfect name for this book!
This is one of those great summer reads - bring it to the beach or stay in on a rainy day and you'll breeze through it cover to cover! I believe this is Ms. Grinell's first novel, and I'll be one of those people eager to catch her future novels!
I received a complimentary hardbound copy of this book from the publishers and BookSparks as part of the 2016 Summer Reading Challenge in exchange for this post, which is my honest review and unbiased opinion.
June 8, 2016
http://bit.ly/1RX2lmr
Ugh. I saw a little bit of myself in this story. As in, it's so easy to assume that you know what's best for your child, better than anyone else, including them. It's hard to be a parent, and that job doesn't just end when they turn 18 and go away to school and move out. It's not that you WANT to continue to control their lives, but the habits that you spent your child's lifetime learning don't change easily.
But I don't think I'm quite as bad as Maggie, and I'm definitely not as big of a jerk as her father, Paul.
Jenn has graduated college and spent a year traveling in India, when she writes to let her parents know that she is coming home and bringing her boyfriend, who is about to become her fiancé. Jean and Arun are working a consciousness raising type of business for the poor in India, and they are both inspired and invested in continuing this work. They are coming home to visit, but not looking for money, not asking for anything. And Jenn's parents just can't understand that.
In the meantime, her father, Paul is continuing his decades long affair, along with doctoring research in his lab at the hospital. Her mother is embarking on an affair and trying to wrap her mind around why her daughter would want to leave home and work for the poor in India.
Arun and Jenn looked so much more mature and grounded than her parents. No matter how rudely they behaved, Arun treated them with respect and compassion. I wish we had gotten to know a little more about what was going on in his head.
This is an important book for parents of adult children to read. It makes you step back and look at your own behavior and your thoughts about your children 's life choices, those children who are now adults. It's so hard because when I look at my daughters, I still see pigtails and braces, not college degrees and apartments of their own. It goes so fast......
Thanks to Booksparks and the Summer Reading Challenge 2016. This was a book that I never would have picked up on my own, but I really enjoyed it!
Current Goodreads Rating 4.06
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Ugh. I saw a little bit of myself in this story. As in, it's so easy to assume that you know what's best for your child, better than anyone else, including them. It's hard to be a parent, and that job doesn't just end when they turn 18 and go away to school and move out. It's not that you WANT to continue to control their lives, but the habits that you spent your child's lifetime learning don't change easily.
But I don't think I'm quite as bad as Maggie, and I'm definitely not as big of a jerk as her father, Paul.
Jenn has graduated college and spent a year traveling in India, when she writes to let her parents know that she is coming home and bringing her boyfriend, who is about to become her fiancé. Jean and Arun are working a consciousness raising type of business for the poor in India, and they are both inspired and invested in continuing this work. They are coming home to visit, but not looking for money, not asking for anything. And Jenn's parents just can't understand that.
In the meantime, her father, Paul is continuing his decades long affair, along with doctoring research in his lab at the hospital. Her mother is embarking on an affair and trying to wrap her mind around why her daughter would want to leave home and work for the poor in India.
Arun and Jenn looked so much more mature and grounded than her parents. No matter how rudely they behaved, Arun treated them with respect and compassion. I wish we had gotten to know a little more about what was going on in his head.
This is an important book for parents of adult children to read. It makes you step back and look at your own behavior and your thoughts about your children 's life choices, those children who are now adults. It's so hard because when I look at my daughters, I still see pigtails and braces, not college degrees and apartments of their own. It goes so fast......
Thanks to Booksparks and the Summer Reading Challenge 2016. This was a book that I never would have picked up on my own, but I really enjoyed it!
Current Goodreads Rating 4.06
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May 20, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway drawing in exchange for an honest review. Well, here I am, three days later, having quickly finished the book and wishing for more, already missing the characters and thinking about how their lives will play out.
I really enjoyed this read and am amazed that this is the author's first book. It has so much going for it and I am hoping Sheila Grinell has much more to offer. I will definitely be checking out her next book.
I really enjoyed the depth to which she took the main characters. At first, I thought "Appetite" was a book solely about two parents coming to terms with their daughter's possibly less-than-ideal marriage to a self-described Indian guru. Along with Jenn's news that she planned to marry a foreigner, she also planned to live in India after the marriage. I could somewhat relate as my daughter, 7 days after her marriage (to an American), moved 2500 miles away.
It became quickly evident to me that this book was about so much more than the worrisome marriage. It also involved the complicated relationship between Jenn's parents and her father's newly precarious position as a medical researcher. The parents were also well-developed characters, each fascinating in their own right, each being given their fair share of the story, with the father tending more toward scumbag, the mother initially more toward silent sufferer. As the story moved along, the suspense built and I found I had a difficult time putting the book down. What would happen? Would Jenn actually marry her beloved? Would her parents resolve their own issues? Would her father's career explode into success or would it face a very different fate? I found myself being pulled into the characters' plights and really caring about the outcomes.
Due to the author's excellent writing skills and a really good story line, I finished the book in record time and am here to say I give it my strongest recommendation. Go for it!
I really enjoyed this read and am amazed that this is the author's first book. It has so much going for it and I am hoping Sheila Grinell has much more to offer. I will definitely be checking out her next book.
I really enjoyed the depth to which she took the main characters. At first, I thought "Appetite" was a book solely about two parents coming to terms with their daughter's possibly less-than-ideal marriage to a self-described Indian guru. Along with Jenn's news that she planned to marry a foreigner, she also planned to live in India after the marriage. I could somewhat relate as my daughter, 7 days after her marriage (to an American), moved 2500 miles away.
It became quickly evident to me that this book was about so much more than the worrisome marriage. It also involved the complicated relationship between Jenn's parents and her father's newly precarious position as a medical researcher. The parents were also well-developed characters, each fascinating in their own right, each being given their fair share of the story, with the father tending more toward scumbag, the mother initially more toward silent sufferer. As the story moved along, the suspense built and I found I had a difficult time putting the book down. What would happen? Would Jenn actually marry her beloved? Would her parents resolve their own issues? Would her father's career explode into success or would it face a very different fate? I found myself being pulled into the characters' plights and really caring about the outcomes.
Due to the author's excellent writing skills and a really good story line, I finished the book in record time and am here to say I give it my strongest recommendation. Go for it!
May 31, 2016
I hate to admit it, but the plot summary of this novel actually didn’t sound like something I would enjoy. I will say that, although this type of story is not my preference, the author did a wonderful job writing this novel in such a compelling way that, even though it’s not a book I would typically enjoy, I could still genuinely appreciate the writing style. Well done, Ms. Grinell!
Although the general premise of Appetite is about parents coming to terms with their daughter, Jenn, choosing to marry someone who is not their ideal son-in-law, what’s most interesting about this book is that it’s actually many smaller stories from each of the main characters, delicately interwoven into one master plot by Sheila Grinell. It is a major feat for a first-time author, and I’m supremely impressed with how well she articulated the intricacies of each character’s story and their relationships with one another.
Appetite has a little bit of everything that could appease any reader. There is a little bit of mystery surrounding a secret that Jenn’s parents are afraid to have come to light, obviously a romantic angle, and the characters’ sometimes tumultuous relationships with one another ended up being the highlight of the book for me. Any mother or daughter could appreciate this book, as at its heart, Appetite is about the difference in what a daughter wants in her spouse and what her parents think she deserves. Any parent can relate to the idea of always wanting the best for their daughter, and many will also recognize that nagging feeling that perhaps the partner your daughter has chosen isn’t good enough for her.
While I can’t say I loved Appetite, I can say that Sheila Grinell’s writing is quite enjoyable and that anyone interested in the dynamic between adult children and their parents, with some additional drama thrown in, will definitely want to pick up a copy of this book.
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review.
Although the general premise of Appetite is about parents coming to terms with their daughter, Jenn, choosing to marry someone who is not their ideal son-in-law, what’s most interesting about this book is that it’s actually many smaller stories from each of the main characters, delicately interwoven into one master plot by Sheila Grinell. It is a major feat for a first-time author, and I’m supremely impressed with how well she articulated the intricacies of each character’s story and their relationships with one another.
Appetite has a little bit of everything that could appease any reader. There is a little bit of mystery surrounding a secret that Jenn’s parents are afraid to have come to light, obviously a romantic angle, and the characters’ sometimes tumultuous relationships with one another ended up being the highlight of the book for me. Any mother or daughter could appreciate this book, as at its heart, Appetite is about the difference in what a daughter wants in her spouse and what her parents think she deserves. Any parent can relate to the idea of always wanting the best for their daughter, and many will also recognize that nagging feeling that perhaps the partner your daughter has chosen isn’t good enough for her.
While I can’t say I loved Appetite, I can say that Sheila Grinell’s writing is quite enjoyable and that anyone interested in the dynamic between adult children and their parents, with some additional drama thrown in, will definitely want to pick up a copy of this book.
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2016
Jenn, the daughter of Paul and Maggie, has come home after a year in India. Not only has she come back home, she has brought her fiance, Arun, to meet her parents. To say that her parents are less than thrilled about her prospective husband would be the understatement of the year. Paul thinks that Arun is trying to take advantage of his daughter and Maggie is afraid that Jenn will no longer be around for her to dote on. The current dilemma with their daughter causes them to gain a little perspective about their own lives. Maggie and Paul have issues of their own to deal with: Maggie feeling second fiddle to Paul's work and Paul feeling the pressure when it comes to his research. Throughout the book Maggie really struggles with the decision to interfere with her daughter's life when she believes Jenn is making a big mistake or just letting Jenn live out her own life by giving up that control. Are Maggie and Paul able to show Jenn how they perceive Arun and prevent a marriage? Or, are they able to put everything aside for the sake of their daughter's happiness? Are they able to navigate through their own lives and issues? How all of this plays out is very interesting and worth reading! I think everyone can relate to the family dynamics of this story and its characters!
May 19, 2016
It’s not uncommon for one’s parents to have reservations about a boyfriend/girlfriend. Or to feel that no one will fully be good enough for their child. For Jenn, who returns from India with a man claiming to be a guru and who she’s planning on marrying, her parents are on red alert from the moment they learn of Arun. Skeptical of his talents and concerned that he may be taking advantage of their only daughter, their mission is to rid their daughter of her rose colored glasses and reveal Arun for the person they feel so strongly that he is.
It’s no secret that we all want what’s best for our children. Sometimes we let our love for them muddy up reality. But in the end it’s their well-being and happiness that every parents desires.
Written with such emotion and honesty that it’s impossible not to relate to the characters, Appetite is a most satisfying read.
It’s no secret that we all want what’s best for our children. Sometimes we let our love for them muddy up reality. But in the end it’s their well-being and happiness that every parents desires.
Written with such emotion and honesty that it’s impossible not to relate to the characters, Appetite is a most satisfying read.
June 7, 2016
While I found the premise of this story interesting, I did not connect with any of the characters to care while reading. So, it was an okay kind of read for me.
The story is told from the viewpoints of two characters, Maggie and her husband, Paul. Each have their drama dilemmas apart from each other and the main one (regarding their daughter), but none really captured my interest.
However, it was good to see some character growth with Maggie towards the end with her willingness to get to know her daughter's life in India.
Got me thinking of being an in-law and what feelings I might have when/if that time comes for me.
The story is told from the viewpoints of two characters, Maggie and her husband, Paul. Each have their drama dilemmas apart from each other and the main one (regarding their daughter), but none really captured my interest.
However, it was good to see some character growth with Maggie towards the end with her willingness to get to know her daughter's life in India.
Got me thinking of being an in-law and what feelings I might have when/if that time comes for me.
May 17, 2016
I was drawn into a family drama that was so real, it left me wondering how many families go through this within their lives.
A mother who wants the best for her daughter, father who doesn't like the fiancée and a daughter who wants to follow her heart. Can a marriage already in trouble be able to come together for a wedding or does it crumble even further?
Sheila Grinell writes a compelling story with strong characters that make you want to reach out to comfort or yell.
I recommend this story to lead into a family’s life that you wont forget.
A mother who wants the best for her daughter, father who doesn't like the fiancée and a daughter who wants to follow her heart. Can a marriage already in trouble be able to come together for a wedding or does it crumble even further?
Sheila Grinell writes a compelling story with strong characters that make you want to reach out to comfort or yell.
I recommend this story to lead into a family’s life that you wont forget.
November 15, 2016
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway.
That being said, this book details the death throes of a family; a husband who has never cared much about anything except his research, a wife who never fought for her marriage through a series of her husband's affairs... she just decided to 'ignore' them, and their milquetoast daughter who runs away from their expiring family life. The whole book is a slow burn to ... nothing .... it's just a fizzle.
That being said, this book details the death throes of a family; a husband who has never cared much about anything except his research, a wife who never fought for her marriage through a series of her husband's affairs... she just decided to 'ignore' them, and their milquetoast daughter who runs away from their expiring family life. The whole book is a slow burn to ... nothing .... it's just a fizzle.
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January 6, 2017This was a cheap book I bought through Bookbub, which is an interesting way to experience different writers and stories. The story here is not bad: a young woman who wants to marry a missionary and adopt a really hard lifestyle, a dishonest scientist faking his results because he believes they should be the way they really aren't. I appreciated the story and the characters. The plot development and the writing, not so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2016
Seeking to investigate a daughter's fiancé, her parents discover (and reveal) things about themselves. As one marriage is about to begin, the other is in its final stages of dissolution and this novel explores the causes and justifications for the beginning and the end of love and commitment. The book was excellent and gripping--the point of view alternating between the two parents.
August 12, 2016
I enjoyed this book with it's great characters and interactions between family members. We raise our children with certain expectations and when they don't "fit" our mold for them, conflict can arise. This was a great book!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 11, 2016
The book focuses almost more on the parents' history and issues than the present day issue that they don't want their daughter to marry her Indian fiancé. It was a good read, although not a page turner.
Received this as goodreads giveaway.
Received this as goodreads giveaway.
August 20, 2016
Really enjoyed this but what's up with the ending? It's all about the journey, not the destination? Let's just leave all the characters hanging there...
April 5, 2017
I could not finish. Plot and characters were unlikable.
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February 7, 2017Appetite is a wonderful debut novel from a talented writer. The book describes the challenges, desires, and ‘appetites’ of a family during a moment of struggle. It chronicles the history, relationship, and eventual dissolution of a marriage and family unit. It tells the story of a spirited daughter, Jenn, who challenged her families perceived values. She brings home a young Indian man to meet her parents. On the surface the family appears to be a typical college educated family who've succumbed to the grind of succeeding in typical American fashion. As the story unfolds we learn more about the ambitions and desires of each character. The father wants leave his mark on scientific discovery. The mother wants a fulfilling life where she feels in control of her own choices. On the other hand, Jenn rejects those values and wants to build a life that focuses on spirituality and helping others rather than the story of her parents.
This was a great first book filled with ideas that challenged my own notions and conventions. I was happy at the end as the characters became empowered by their values and embraced their own choices to change their lives.
Incidentally, I also really liked how the author described the hypotenuse technique for walking through a crowd.
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