What do you think?
Rate this book
Serial Monogamy
What happens when life and ambition collide with betrayal and disease? Sharon's comfortable existence as a novelist, wife and mother to twin daughters is shattered by a cancer diagnosis, and by her husband's affair with a graduate student. The only relief in sight is a new writing project—an engrossing serialized novel based on the story of the 19th-century actress Nelly Ternan, the young mistress of the aging Charles Dickens. Chronicling this infamous affair, Sharon is forced to examine with new eyes the secrets and struggles at the heart of domestic life, as she strives to mend her own marriage and heal her body. This surprising and intricate novel shifts between Sharon's Toronto and Nelly's Victorian England in interwoven chapters, asking deep questions about what really makes up the story of a relationship and a life.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
352 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2018
7 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Kate Taylor
3 books26 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This is the page for Canadian novelist and cultural journalist Kate Taylor, author of Mme Proust and the Kosher Kitchen and A Man in Uniform.
British sex columnist Kate Taylor is the author of Not Tonight, Mr. Right.
American arts journalist Kate Taylor is the editor of Going Hungry: Writers on Desire, Self-Denial, and Overcoming Anorexia
The child of a Canadian diplomat, Kate Taylor was born in France and raised in Ottawa. Her debut novel, Mme Proust and the Kosher Kitchen, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for best first book (Canada/Caribbean region) and the Toronto Book Award. Her second novel, A Man in Uniform, is a finalist for the Ontario Library Association's 2011 Evergreen Award.
She also writes about culture for the Globe and Mail, where she served as the paper’s award-winning theatre critic from 1995-2003. In 2009-2010, she was awarded the Atkinson Fellowship in journalism to study Canadian cultural sovereignty in the digital age. The results were published in the Toronto Star in September, 2010.
This is the page for Canadian novelist and cultural journalist Kate Taylor, author of Mme Proust and the Kosher Kitchen and A Man in Uniform.
British sex columnist Kate Taylor is the author of Not Tonight, Mr. Right.
American arts journalist Kate Taylor is the editor of Going Hungry: Writers on Desire, Self-Denial, and Overcoming Anorexia
The child of a Canadian diplomat, Kate Taylor was born in France and raised in Ottawa. Her debut novel, Mme Proust and the Kosher Kitchen, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for best first book (Canada/Caribbean region) and the Toronto Book Award. Her second novel, A Man in Uniform, is a finalist for the Ontario Library Association's 2011 Evergreen Award.
She also writes about culture for the Globe and Mail, where she served as the paper’s award-winning theatre critic from 1995-2003. In 2009-2010, she was awarded the Atkinson Fellowship in journalism to study Canadian cultural sovereignty in the digital age. The results were published in the Toronto Star in September, 2010.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 18, 2021
This book surprised me. I went into it perhaps not looking forward to the moral view, but that letter to her daughters, if the author doesn’t survive... the construct pulls you in right away. I like the Charles Dickens serials. I’m a sucker for anything that adds to my knowledge of this time period. Of course I’m going to read a novel about a Victorian author. Thought provoking, especially the power balance within relationships - is the 21st century really that much different than the 19th century in this regard?
August 21, 2016
2.5 STARS - Victorian England. Modern day Toronto. Charles Dickens. Adultery. A cancer diagnosis. This isn't a huge book but there's a lot going on with several diverse characters, different eras and emotional issues that ultimately highlight that the complexities of relationships haven't change all that much over the centuries.
The premise of this book was interesting but there were a few issues that lowered my rating. First, I don't think Taylor had enough page time to delve deeply enough into the relationships or sensitive topics. This resulted in a lack of emotional depth and prevented me from having a connection to her characters. Finally, there is a fair amount of jumping back and forth between time periods, which was to be expected, but sometimes it was hard to initially figure out who was 'talking'.
I found this book easy to read but not as compelling as I had hoped. It had bursts that grabbed me (mainly Sharon's story line) and while the author had an interesting premise and good intentions this book ultimately wasn't as strong of a read as I was hoping.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to DoubleDay Canada for providing me with a complimentary paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The premise of this book was interesting but there were a few issues that lowered my rating. First, I don't think Taylor had enough page time to delve deeply enough into the relationships or sensitive topics. This resulted in a lack of emotional depth and prevented me from having a connection to her characters. Finally, there is a fair amount of jumping back and forth between time periods, which was to be expected, but sometimes it was hard to initially figure out who was 'talking'.
I found this book easy to read but not as compelling as I had hoped. It had bursts that grabbed me (mainly Sharon's story line) and while the author had an interesting premise and good intentions this book ultimately wasn't as strong of a read as I was hoping.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to DoubleDay Canada for providing me with a complimentary paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2017
This book could be called Serial Adultery.
The author writes about two marriages. The narrator's own marriage and that of Charles Dickens. The narrator and her husband are both Dickens scholars. Just after she lands a contract with a major newspaper to write a fictionalized serial story about Dickens, the narrator discovers that her husband is having an affair with a student, and soon after she is diagnosed with beast cancer. The book alternates chapters about her life with the Dickens story. The latter focuses on an ongoing affair that he had with a much younger actress.
The stories are well told. The Dickens segments are written in formal, florid Victorian style. We are drawn in to the life of the young mistress, Nelly, who must keep the nature of the affair secret. The narrator's own life is complicated as she tries to do her best as the mother of two young girls, holding together a faltering marriage and managing her health. The author often changes point of view, telling the story from different points of view. This can be confusing , but the reader realizes that it is intentionally done, and adds to the intrigue of the stories.
The author writes about two marriages. The narrator's own marriage and that of Charles Dickens. The narrator and her husband are both Dickens scholars. Just after she lands a contract with a major newspaper to write a fictionalized serial story about Dickens, the narrator discovers that her husband is having an affair with a student, and soon after she is diagnosed with beast cancer. The book alternates chapters about her life with the Dickens story. The latter focuses on an ongoing affair that he had with a much younger actress.
The stories are well told. The Dickens segments are written in formal, florid Victorian style. We are drawn in to the life of the young mistress, Nelly, who must keep the nature of the affair secret. The narrator's own life is complicated as she tries to do her best as the mother of two young girls, holding together a faltering marriage and managing her health. The author often changes point of view, telling the story from different points of view. This can be confusing , but the reader realizes that it is intentionally done, and adds to the intrigue of the stories.
May 22, 2017
Though you can't give half stars on Goodreads, I think this book is a three and a half stars to four stars. I thought the story was beautifully written, though some of the Victorian chapters were a bit slow. I liked how this story presented so many differing perspectives and gave a window into where different characters stand and their perspective on how they see the world. This book does not cast any villains, it is a story of empathy and sensitive, beautiful observations. It's very well written, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book set in Toronto. A book that is hard to put down once you start
April 9, 2017
I picked this up because it jumped up at me from the library's shelves, considering the circumstances I found myself in back then. lol. It was quite different from my life, though! I thought it was a good read, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a must-read. Especially if you're not into adultery.
I thought all characters were particularly well-drawn. I wasn't sure at first of the many POV switches - the Dickens story bored me for the first two chapters, though I got into it.
I'm in kind of a reading slump and this didn't help, but it didn't make it worse either, so, three stars seems accurate.
I thought all characters were particularly well-drawn. I wasn't sure at first of the many POV switches - the Dickens story bored me for the first two chapters, though I got into it.
I'm in kind of a reading slump and this didn't help, but it didn't make it worse either, so, three stars seems accurate.
May 27, 2017
Overall and engaging read!
October 12, 2017
Truthfully, the things that first made me pick up this book are not ones librarians admit to being tempted by. The first thing – the book jacket, with its large and small, colourful glass marbles and clean, capitalized aqua typeface – made me pause and reach for it. The second thing – my recognition of the author’s name, Kate Taylor – also a favorite arts writer at The Globe and Mail – made me flip through it and then decide to read it.
The main story line follows this thread: a young married woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, while simultaneously trying to resurrect her fading marriage and kick start her post-baby career. At first glance, the plot isn’t far away from the typical Netflix fare or visitors on the Oprah book circuit. But this book is just different enough that it will should catch and delight an intrepid (although probably female) reader’s attention.
I like the protagonist, Sharon. She’s funny, self-deprecating, but also clear thinking, talented and brave. And, boy, did she (or, actually, author Kate Taylor) spin one heck of a good Victorian tale to frame and solidify Sharon’s twenty-first century struggles. There were times I couldn’t decide which story (or narrator) I preferred: the Dickensian “Nelly”, or the modern mom / reporter, Sharon. Normally, I don’t like moving from one narrator as a novel unfolds, here it fits and amplifies the story. Spoiler alert, though: there are actually 4 narrators by Serial monogamy’s final page, but the final two are minor and help to pack it all together.
Fans of well written novels with believable characters working to make sense of their world particular world (with all its beauties and challenges) will appreciate this Toronto-set book.
The main story line follows this thread: a young married woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, while simultaneously trying to resurrect her fading marriage and kick start her post-baby career. At first glance, the plot isn’t far away from the typical Netflix fare or visitors on the Oprah book circuit. But this book is just different enough that it will should catch and delight an intrepid (although probably female) reader’s attention.
I like the protagonist, Sharon. She’s funny, self-deprecating, but also clear thinking, talented and brave. And, boy, did she (or, actually, author Kate Taylor) spin one heck of a good Victorian tale to frame and solidify Sharon’s twenty-first century struggles. There were times I couldn’t decide which story (or narrator) I preferred: the Dickensian “Nelly”, or the modern mom / reporter, Sharon. Normally, I don’t like moving from one narrator as a novel unfolds, here it fits and amplifies the story. Spoiler alert, though: there are actually 4 narrators by Serial monogamy’s final page, but the final two are minor and help to pack it all together.
Fans of well written novels with believable characters working to make sense of their world particular world (with all its beauties and challenges) will appreciate this Toronto-set book.
July 11, 2016
There's a lot going on in this book, too much really. There are four narrative voices, which are all puportedly written by our protagonist, a writer named Sharon who is dying of cancer. The premise itself I quite liked but the execution left me less impressed; the pacing seems uneven and I never really got into the story emotionally. Sharon comes across as whiny, constantly obsessing about the grad student her husband has left her for and any tiny shred of sympathy was destroyed by the revelation The chapters about Nelly Terman and Charles Dickens are not nearly as factual as I would have liked, although I certainly enjoyed that plotline the most. Overall, not an unpleasant read but not really my thing, as I cannot bear characters who think their love can reform another human.
Thank you to Penguin Random House who were kind enough to award me this advance reading copy.
Thank you to Penguin Random House who were kind enough to award me this advance reading copy.
September 28, 2016
I see there are wide ranging opinions on this novel by Canadian Kate Taylor. The biggest objection appears to be that there is too much going on. Sharon, a successful novelist in her own right, loses her husband to one of his research students. In the midst of grieving over the loss, she discovers she has cancer and must have surgery and chemo to combat the disease. Her husband decides to come home to help her face what's coming and to help care for their two young daughters. Their relationship at that point is fraught with fear, anger and frustration.
At the same time, Sharon is writing a serial for a failing newspaper and we are able to read the chapters intermittently throughout the book. In it we read of the adulterous relationship Charles Dickens had for many years with a young woman who was 17 when he met her, and the effect this had on Catherine Dickens, his wife and the mother of his children.
I enjoyed the parallel nature of the two stories.
September 19, 2016
I admit there was alot going on in this book and I am not sure which story I enjoyed more, Dickens or Sharon's, I really love the Dickens time period. Kate Taylor did a wonderful job of tying these two stories in with each other and the twist close to the end was totally unexpected, whoa, I actually had to go back and read the chapter again to see if what I was reading was actually what was happening.
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
October 14, 2016
Won this book on Goodreads - otherwise I probably wouldn't have picked it up. That would have been too bad as I enjoyed this new (to me) Canadian author - in this novel Taylor shows the messy and never straight forward ramifications of infidelity and disease. I enjoyed the Dickens' side story and found the details engaging. http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...
June 3, 2017
Two clever stories..modern day story of a marriage and an affair with a parallel view of Charles Dickens and his mistress. Thought provoking! I thoroughly enjoyed Kate Taylor's most recent book. She has a way with words that makes you feel you are in the room with the characters.
March 3, 2018
I really didn't like this book. I'm sorry to say but this was actually such a bad book omg I got so bored, I literally didn't want to finish it. It was so boring that I kept getting distracted and felt like reading something else, but I pushed myself through it because I hate starting books and not finishing it. Plus, I felt like this book deserved a chance. But it never got any better. The letter at the start that the mom wrote for her daughters was super emotional, and made me tear up, and the ending letter written by the stepmom was also super sad and made me tear up. I feel so bad that this woman got diagnosed with cancer, found out her husband is cheating on her, and has these 2 little girls. She's trying to figure out whether or not to stay with him, and how to make the separation easier on the girls. There's a lot of arguing and fights, and the husband is upset that she chose to write this book. She switches from current day perspective, to the olden days with Charles Dicken's life, because he also was known for his affairs, so by analyzing his affairs, she makes better sense of her own life. I feel like if it were solely from the perspective of her life, it would have been more interesting, but the Dickens chapters were so boring I just skimmed through it and never payed attention- I felt like they just unnecessarily lengthened the book. I originally picked up this book because I liked the title. In sociology, serial monogamy refers to the term on when you date one person, are loyal to them, then you leave them and move onto the next person. However, whichever person you are with, you are super loyal to them. That's why it's called serial MONOGAMY. But the book did not live up to its name. I feel so bad for giving it only 2 stars because the poor woman died of cancer, and that pulls at my heart strings, but I must be honest on my blog, so I guess it just wasn't my type of book and was a bore.
March 10, 2022
A GoodReads GiveAway
What sometimes makes for a very miserable day?
A day in which your errant husband returns home because you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
That’s the unfortunate situation for Sharon — a novelist between books — whose husband walked out on her and their twin girls for a relationship with one of his graduate students.
He’s a cad, eh?
And a cliché.
At the same time, Sharon has accepted an experimental assignment with The Telegram — a newspaper on the brink of losing subscribers to its physical editions because of online, digital news formats.
Sharon writes a weekly serial for publication in the paper’s … well, the paper’s paper issue. The hope is that her episodic story will increase the sales of papers in print.
Sharon has decided to spin a yarn in the style of Victorian newspapers — newspaper that helped make writers like Charles Dickens famous.
And here’s a kicker. She has opted to write a partly fictionalized tale about Charlie D. himself.
What’s the meat and potatoes of the storyline?
Charlie’s intimate affair with Nelly Ternan, daughter of a small time acting family. A fitting subject — perhaps — for a writer whose husband is behaving in similar philandering fashion, don’t you think?
Kate Taylor’s novel is an entertaining story that refuses to bog down in the progression of Sharon’s sickness. The story is told with grace and warm humor that doesn’t overwhelm readers — not even one such as this septuagenarian scribbler.
Once or twice, unexpected plot twists might catch readers off guard.
Hold on, not plot twists so much as gem-dandy narrative sleight-of-hand.
Watch for them.
Read Serial Monogamy. It’s bound to entertain you even while you sympathize with Sharon (her sickness aside) because of her philandering husband — even while you sympathize with Nelly Ternan because of peevish old Charlie D.
Thank you for reading.
What sometimes makes for a very miserable day?
A day in which your errant husband returns home because you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
That’s the unfortunate situation for Sharon — a novelist between books — whose husband walked out on her and their twin girls for a relationship with one of his graduate students.
He’s a cad, eh?
And a cliché.
At the same time, Sharon has accepted an experimental assignment with The Telegram — a newspaper on the brink of losing subscribers to its physical editions because of online, digital news formats.
Sharon writes a weekly serial for publication in the paper’s … well, the paper’s paper issue. The hope is that her episodic story will increase the sales of papers in print.
Sharon has decided to spin a yarn in the style of Victorian newspapers — newspaper that helped make writers like Charles Dickens famous.
And here’s a kicker. She has opted to write a partly fictionalized tale about Charlie D. himself.
What’s the meat and potatoes of the storyline?
Charlie’s intimate affair with Nelly Ternan, daughter of a small time acting family. A fitting subject — perhaps — for a writer whose husband is behaving in similar philandering fashion, don’t you think?
Kate Taylor’s novel is an entertaining story that refuses to bog down in the progression of Sharon’s sickness. The story is told with grace and warm humor that doesn’t overwhelm readers — not even one such as this septuagenarian scribbler.
Once or twice, unexpected plot twists might catch readers off guard.
Hold on, not plot twists so much as gem-dandy narrative sleight-of-hand.
Watch for them.
Read Serial Monogamy. It’s bound to entertain you even while you sympathize with Sharon (her sickness aside) because of her philandering husband — even while you sympathize with Nelly Ternan because of peevish old Charlie D.
Thank you for reading.
August 3, 2017
I think this one is probably 3.5 stars, in fairness.
I enjoyed the writing - Taylor moves easily between the formality and vernacular of Dickens' time to the looser, more casual speech of today.
I also liked the shifting viewpoints, times, and locations. It was like reading through a kaleidoscope. At least, I enjoyed the idea of it. And I think I enjoyed it in practice. But there was something about the constant temporal/geographic/psychological hopping that tweaked me. I appreciate seeing things from a variety of viewpoints, and I generally love multiple narrators. Here, though, it doesn't totally work. I think my issue is that it feels a little too pat - the unfaithful husband and imperfect but steadfast wife mirrored back at each other.
And then the revelation. I won't spoil it except to say that I wanted to get behind it - I'm all for a juicy reveal. But this one stank of self-congratulation. I got the distinct impression that Taylor came up with that one detail, loved it, and couldn't bear to leave it out.
Ultimately, I finished the book and enjoyed reading it. However, it felt and still feels very high-concept, and the concept interfered with the story.
I enjoyed the writing - Taylor moves easily between the formality and vernacular of Dickens' time to the looser, more casual speech of today.
I also liked the shifting viewpoints, times, and locations. It was like reading through a kaleidoscope. At least, I enjoyed the idea of it. And I think I enjoyed it in practice. But there was something about the constant temporal/geographic/psychological hopping that tweaked me. I appreciate seeing things from a variety of viewpoints, and I generally love multiple narrators. Here, though, it doesn't totally work. I think my issue is that it feels a little too pat - the unfaithful husband and imperfect but steadfast wife mirrored back at each other.
And then the revelation. I won't spoil it except to say that I wanted to get behind it - I'm all for a juicy reveal. But this one stank of self-congratulation. I got the distinct impression that Taylor came up with that one detail, loved it, and couldn't bear to leave it out.
Ultimately, I finished the book and enjoyed reading it. However, it felt and still feels very high-concept, and the concept interfered with the story.
December 9, 2019
I'm really surprised by some of the low-ish ratings this book is getting! I thought it was such a unique, quirky, heartfelt book, perfect in length, and easy to read (without being TOO easy).
Kate Taylor is, I think, an excellent writer. There is a scene nearing the end of the book between Sharon and Al that is absolutely some of the best written dialogue I have ever read. It was so real, so raw, so amusing, and so heart-wrenching all at the same time. I had already been thoroughly enjoying this book when I got to that chapter, but I was blown away by that scene, so much that I had to put down the book and get up and go for a walk, just to think. How deftly she articulated the human heart.
I didn't find there was too much story jammed in at all (re: some other reviewers' comments). I love historical fiction, and probably wouldn't have picked the book up if it wasn't for Nelly's storyline. Taylor wove together her narratives pretty flawlessly, I thought, and drew neat and tidy parallels to her present-day Toronto storylines.
I give it five stars for a stellar book written by a stellar Canadian author.
Kate Taylor is, I think, an excellent writer. There is a scene nearing the end of the book between Sharon and Al that is absolutely some of the best written dialogue I have ever read. It was so real, so raw, so amusing, and so heart-wrenching all at the same time. I had already been thoroughly enjoying this book when I got to that chapter, but I was blown away by that scene, so much that I had to put down the book and get up and go for a walk, just to think. How deftly she articulated the human heart.
I didn't find there was too much story jammed in at all (re: some other reviewers' comments). I love historical fiction, and probably wouldn't have picked the book up if it wasn't for Nelly's storyline. Taylor wove together her narratives pretty flawlessly, I thought, and drew neat and tidy parallels to her present-day Toronto storylines.
I give it five stars for a stellar book written by a stellar Canadian author.
June 20, 2017
Sharon's life is thrown into chaos when her husband, Al, leaves her, and their twin daughters, for one of his young students. But when Sharon is diagnosed with cancer, Al returns and they struggle to repair their relationship. Meanwhile, to keep herself busy as a writer, Sharon begins to write a serialized story for a local Toronto paper about Nelly, Charles Dickens young and secret mistress. The two interwoven stories reflect on fidelity and marriage, love and passion, and the secrets of domestic life from various viewpoints. A clear writing style mixed with vividly drawn characters makes this a moving and though provoking novel.
June 9, 2020
I received a copy of Serial Monogamy through the Goodreads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.
This was a beautifully written book that toggles between a present-day writer/mother/wife battling cancer and her fictionalized serial of Charles Dickens' mistress as it is published weekly in the newspaper. The author does a wonderful job of imagining what life must have been like as a woman and lover of a prolific writer in 1800s England; I was engrossed in the story from the first page, and appreciated Taylor's ability to animate each of her characters in a way that made me feel emotionally invested in each of them.
This was a beautifully written book that toggles between a present-day writer/mother/wife battling cancer and her fictionalized serial of Charles Dickens' mistress as it is published weekly in the newspaper. The author does a wonderful job of imagining what life must have been like as a woman and lover of a prolific writer in 1800s England; I was engrossed in the story from the first page, and appreciated Taylor's ability to animate each of her characters in a way that made me feel emotionally invested in each of them.
August 20, 2019
Sharon's marriage just fell apart when she learned of his mistress. Her cancer brings him home, if only to take care of her and their twin girls. Her story, and later that of Shay, the mistress, intersect with Sharon's fictionalized story of Nelly Ternan, Charles Dickens' own mistress.
This book is written so fluidly and eloquently, that it really does feel like Sharon is real and telling this story through her illness and throwing in her serial tale of Nelly in chunks in which it applies. I often had to check the cover and verify the author's name. I got vested in these characters.
This book is written so fluidly and eloquently, that it really does feel like Sharon is real and telling this story through her illness and throwing in her serial tale of Nelly in chunks in which it applies. I often had to check the cover and verify the author's name. I got vested in these characters.
July 6, 2018
Library Request. I like the back and forth from dickens to the authors family life, and having to deal with children, and a betrayal from her husband to mirror they very own story of how they came together through a betrayal of their own. To her devestating diagnosis of breast cancer and how the new stepmother came into their lives.
I’m on the fence but I was intrigued to continue reading to the end.
I’m on the fence but I was intrigued to continue reading to the end.
May 29, 2017
This novel (an Evergreen Nominee for 2017, Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading program) switches back & forth between Sharon's story: mother, writer, betrayed by her husband, cancer patient & the writing of her novel which is an historical fiction piece about Dickens and his affair with Nelly. An enjoyable read.
March 7, 2018
This is a quick, light read. I was intrigued by the premise, but unfortunately, I was less taken with the execution. I think the author was trying to cover too many angles, and for me, it fell a bit flat. I was also a bit annoyed by how this jumped pages on my Kobo reader, and I never had a good idea of where I was in the book.
April 15, 2018
Finally. This has been sitting here for a year waiting to be read. An interesting premise and an interesting take on long term relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical bits - the focus on Dickens and Nelly Ternan. Less enamoured of the contemporary bits - would have liked to see more of the evolution of Sharon and Al post diagnosis.
June 29, 2023
I can't quite put my finger on what makes this book a 5 star read, but it is a 5 star read for me. I think when we read about the secrets of others, it makes us feel good. We feel good because gosh, our secrets are nothing compared to their secrets. But, it would be unfair to label this a book of secrets when it is so much more.
November 24, 2017
2 great stories, one really good read!
I enjoy contemporary fiction especially themes facing women today and I like historical fiction; Serial Monogamy delivers both! Fascinating storytelling of Dickens' and Sharon's life-story really made me feel and think. Serial Monogamy really drew me in
I enjoy contemporary fiction especially themes facing women today and I like historical fiction; Serial Monogamy delivers both! Fascinating storytelling of Dickens' and Sharon's life-story really made me feel and think. Serial Monogamy really drew me in
August 12, 2018
Really enjoyed Kate Taylor's writing and surprised that I liked the back and forth with Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens and then Sharon and her life. Reminder that relationships are complicated, but also that life can be well lived in health and sickness.
May 3, 2020
This novel was fresh and unique. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the Dickens storyline and the modern-day story of Sharon and Al. Really well written. Would definitely read more from this author.
May 6, 2022
Beautifully written and well researched. Enjoyable even if you aren't a huge Charles Dickens fan, maybe even more so if that's the case. I was so invtested in the contemporary chapters and there were some subtle twists that surprised me.
May 18, 2017
Very interesting book. It was almost like three stories all wrapped up together.
October 22, 2017
What an interesting story concept mixing the present with the past and historical fiction to boot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews