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The Book of Love
One love. Two people. Twenty Years.
From the moment they met, Erin and Dom loved each other too much, too quickly. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. But they knew differently.
A wedding present, a notebook, brings them together through the good times and the bad. On the blank pages of their love story, they write down everything they can’t always say – the secrets, the heartbreak, the highs and lows. It’s where they see the best and worst of each other.
Falling in love is easy but staying in love is where the story begins…
This is the Book of Love.
From the moment they met, Erin and Dom loved each other too much, too quickly. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. But they knew differently.
A wedding present, a notebook, brings them together through the good times and the bad. On the blank pages of their love story, they write down everything they can’t always say – the secrets, the heartbreak, the highs and lows. It’s where they see the best and worst of each other.
Falling in love is easy but staying in love is where the story begins…
This is the Book of Love.
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2018
163 people are currently reading
1123 people want to read
About the author
Fionnuala Kearney
4 books145 followersFionnuala discovered, age six, that she had in fact been christened Ann (that’s Ann with no ‘e’) and that her parents had decided, for some reason, to saddle her with a life of dealing with unnecessary vowels. At twenty she moved to London and marrying Mr. Kearney proved to be the best thing she ever did, apart from the fact that the vowel thing escalated further. Two daughters, both with deliberately simple mono syllabic names followed.
She worked, for many years, in London as a home search agent (like Phil and Kirstie without the cameras) until she decided, one fateful day, that it was time for a change – time to pursue the dream of being a writer.
Seven years on; time spent in her garret learning her craft, she is often found talking to herself with yellow ‘post its’ stuck to her forehead. She likes to write about relationships: couples, a mother and child, siblings, best friends… She likes to peel away the layers and see what’s going on beneath and then tell you all about it.
She worked, for many years, in London as a home search agent (like Phil and Kirstie without the cameras) until she decided, one fateful day, that it was time for a change – time to pursue the dream of being a writer.
Seven years on; time spent in her garret learning her craft, she is often found talking to herself with yellow ‘post its’ stuck to her forehead. She likes to write about relationships: couples, a mother and child, siblings, best friends… She likes to peel away the layers and see what’s going on beneath and then tell you all about it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
December 18, 2018
Fionnuala Kearney writes a mightily superb and moving story of love and marriage that is hugely memorable and profound, a novel that I cannot imagine anyone not loving to bits. A pregnant Erin Fitzgerald and Dom Carter get married in 1996, with hardly anyone expecting this hasty marriage to last. Erin and Dom may be from different ends of the social spectrum, but Erin loves Dom, and Erin is Dom's beloved Tree Girl, they see no obstacles that their love cannot overcome. Erin's father gives them a leather bound book of love, for the two of them to write down what they cannot face telling the other, always reinforced with messages of love to help them address their issues and sustain their marriage. At first, neither sees the need for the book, feeling that there is nothing they cannot tell each other. However, the book is to become a pivotal source for essential communication throughout their marriage.
Erin is anxious as a personality, she is not a woman for surprises, she has religious faith and her friends, Lydia and Hannah, and family are everything. Dom is more assured and confident, more laid back but religion is not for him. Through the years they have to learn to handle tragedy and the kicks in the teeth that life throws at them whilst bringing up their beloved children. There are the almighty screw ups, the changing nature of relationships, such as that between Erin and Sophie, Dom's mother. There are the struggles to forgive in the face of a heart that breaks, and finding the personal resources to endure when the world looks dark and bleak. The narrative begins in 2017 and goes back and forth through the years from 1996, and in those years the book of love is a record of their love, a treasure, charting the ups and downs of their marriage and family. It knits Dom and Erin ever closer in the face of calamitous events and issues, ensuring it is a vital avenue to get through to each other, a tangible record of how precious their marriage is, whilst highlighting how difficult communication can be, even when you have the book of love.
Kearney is a gifted storyteller, her writing has that effortless feel and quality, once you start reading, you will not be able to stop yourself from finishing the book as soon as possible. The characterisation of Erin and Dom is expertly done, they have their flaws, are so very human, and they and the supporting characters are drawn with subtlety and nuance. I emotionally invested in this brilliant and joyful roller coaster of a novel, and I could not help but feel tearful at the ending. Highly recommended and a must read. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
Erin is anxious as a personality, she is not a woman for surprises, she has religious faith and her friends, Lydia and Hannah, and family are everything. Dom is more assured and confident, more laid back but religion is not for him. Through the years they have to learn to handle tragedy and the kicks in the teeth that life throws at them whilst bringing up their beloved children. There are the almighty screw ups, the changing nature of relationships, such as that between Erin and Sophie, Dom's mother. There are the struggles to forgive in the face of a heart that breaks, and finding the personal resources to endure when the world looks dark and bleak. The narrative begins in 2017 and goes back and forth through the years from 1996, and in those years the book of love is a record of their love, a treasure, charting the ups and downs of their marriage and family. It knits Dom and Erin ever closer in the face of calamitous events and issues, ensuring it is a vital avenue to get through to each other, a tangible record of how precious their marriage is, whilst highlighting how difficult communication can be, even when you have the book of love.
Kearney is a gifted storyteller, her writing has that effortless feel and quality, once you start reading, you will not be able to stop yourself from finishing the book as soon as possible. The characterisation of Erin and Dom is expertly done, they have their flaws, are so very human, and they and the supporting characters are drawn with subtlety and nuance. I emotionally invested in this brilliant and joyful roller coaster of a novel, and I could not help but feel tearful at the ending. Highly recommended and a must read. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
September 25, 2018
‘A story for everyone who has loved and lost’
Fionnuala Kearney is a writer whose work I haven’t read before, but I can now quite categorically state that I am a fan…a huge fan.
The Book of Love is a book that caught me by surprise. The story of Erin and Dom, Dom and Erin, is, indeed, a very special one.
It’s the 1990s and Dom’s sister, Lydia, has a new flat mate, Erin Fitzpatrick.
‘She was dancing, a hippy thing where her body just swayed, and she reminded me of a tree – tall with long, coppery hair, longer limbs, slender fingers. I called her “Tree-Girl”
From that initial moment Erin and Dom became a couple and, within a few months, Erin was pregnant. Very soon after, they were promising to love each other forever, as they tied the knot in the local registry office, followed by a small reception in the back room of The KIng’s Arms. This was never the magical, white wedding that Erin had imagined but she loved Dom, she truly did, and their love would continue to take them on a very emotional journey, filled with the many ups and downs of life.
Erin’s dad gave the couple a very unusual gift, a notebook. His wish was for them to use it’s pages as a place to express their thoughts and feelings with each other, a place for honesty and a place for truth.
‘What am I?
I am The Book of Love
The pages of truth with its light and shade
I am Love
And if real, I will never fade.’
Initially, Erin was quite skeptical of the premise behind the notebook but as the years pass it became a very important part of their marriage, a refuge for their feelings.
All couples strive to be truthful with each other, as with this truth comes strength and love, and hope that this love will endure through the difficult times. For some marriages it can be hard for one party to speak up, to be brave, for fear of what their other half may think, so writing down thoughts and feelings can be a cathartic experience. For Dom and Erin, it proves to be an extraordinary experience. And for the reader, it is a very emotional journey.
Fionnuala Kearney has written a powerfully, moving novel that quite literally left me breathless and shaken. The writing is exquisite and as I journeyed through life with Dom and Erin, I felt like I was walking beside them.
The Book of Love IS a book about love and the enduring power of true love. Every relationship has it’s moments of hardship, those times when a relationship may stagger and falter, when the truest of love can be challenged. Fionnuala Kearney takes these moments and captures the essence of every thought and feeling with her captivating narrative and her incredible insight into the human psyche.
I’m not going to lie folks, I cried while reading this book. It brought all my own emotions to the surface and I just was unable to hold back the flow. I tweeted after finishing this novel that I was bereft and drained, and I was…I still am. Something about this book really touched me deeply.
The Book of Love is a testament to enduring love. It is both uplifting and gut-wrenchingly sad. The expression, a book-hangover, would be familiar to many of you – THAT is what I experienced on finishing this stunningly beautiful, poignant and enchanting work from Fionnuala Kearney.
The Book of Love will enthrall. If you believe in love, if you believe in the power of it being forever, if you perhaps hesitate over the existence of an enduring love, whatever your belief, trust me, you will not regret picking up a copy of this truly special book.
‘I am Love…..And if real, I will never fade’
Mesmerising. Emotional. Eloquent…..Enduring
Fionnuala Kearney is a writer whose work I haven’t read before, but I can now quite categorically state that I am a fan…a huge fan.
The Book of Love is a book that caught me by surprise. The story of Erin and Dom, Dom and Erin, is, indeed, a very special one.
It’s the 1990s and Dom’s sister, Lydia, has a new flat mate, Erin Fitzpatrick.
‘She was dancing, a hippy thing where her body just swayed, and she reminded me of a tree – tall with long, coppery hair, longer limbs, slender fingers. I called her “Tree-Girl”
From that initial moment Erin and Dom became a couple and, within a few months, Erin was pregnant. Very soon after, they were promising to love each other forever, as they tied the knot in the local registry office, followed by a small reception in the back room of The KIng’s Arms. This was never the magical, white wedding that Erin had imagined but she loved Dom, she truly did, and their love would continue to take them on a very emotional journey, filled with the many ups and downs of life.
Erin’s dad gave the couple a very unusual gift, a notebook. His wish was for them to use it’s pages as a place to express their thoughts and feelings with each other, a place for honesty and a place for truth.
‘What am I?
I am The Book of Love
The pages of truth with its light and shade
I am Love
And if real, I will never fade.’
Initially, Erin was quite skeptical of the premise behind the notebook but as the years pass it became a very important part of their marriage, a refuge for their feelings.
All couples strive to be truthful with each other, as with this truth comes strength and love, and hope that this love will endure through the difficult times. For some marriages it can be hard for one party to speak up, to be brave, for fear of what their other half may think, so writing down thoughts and feelings can be a cathartic experience. For Dom and Erin, it proves to be an extraordinary experience. And for the reader, it is a very emotional journey.
Fionnuala Kearney has written a powerfully, moving novel that quite literally left me breathless and shaken. The writing is exquisite and as I journeyed through life with Dom and Erin, I felt like I was walking beside them.
The Book of Love IS a book about love and the enduring power of true love. Every relationship has it’s moments of hardship, those times when a relationship may stagger and falter, when the truest of love can be challenged. Fionnuala Kearney takes these moments and captures the essence of every thought and feeling with her captivating narrative and her incredible insight into the human psyche.
I’m not going to lie folks, I cried while reading this book. It brought all my own emotions to the surface and I just was unable to hold back the flow. I tweeted after finishing this novel that I was bereft and drained, and I was…I still am. Something about this book really touched me deeply.
The Book of Love is a testament to enduring love. It is both uplifting and gut-wrenchingly sad. The expression, a book-hangover, would be familiar to many of you – THAT is what I experienced on finishing this stunningly beautiful, poignant and enchanting work from Fionnuala Kearney.
The Book of Love will enthrall. If you believe in love, if you believe in the power of it being forever, if you perhaps hesitate over the existence of an enduring love, whatever your belief, trust me, you will not regret picking up a copy of this truly special book.
‘I am Love…..And if real, I will never fade’
Mesmerising. Emotional. Eloquent…..Enduring
Read
July 30, 2018An exquisite book looking at a relationship in honest detail that it speaks to the heart of all marriages...the fears and insecurities to indescribable love that holds you together through the darkest days. I read it in two days, the pages turned themselves. It is a gorgeous emotional read that had me in tears...read it to believe in the power of love.
March 28, 2019
9 de 10*
Aviso muito importante sobre este livro: não se deixem enganar pela capa!
A blurb diz “Este livro vai partir-lhe o coração, curá-lo… e parti-lo novamente da maneira mais inesperada”. É 100% verdade. Fiquei de coração partido, chorei, sorri, enterneci-me com estas personagens fantásticas. Fui totalmente apanhada de surpresa pelos acontecimentos e fiquei rendida a este livro que me encheu as medidas!
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
Aviso muito importante sobre este livro: não se deixem enganar pela capa!
A blurb diz “Este livro vai partir-lhe o coração, curá-lo… e parti-lo novamente da maneira mais inesperada”. É 100% verdade. Fiquei de coração partido, chorei, sorri, enterneci-me com estas personagens fantásticas. Fui totalmente apanhada de surpresa pelos acontecimentos e fiquei rendida a este livro que me encheu as medidas!
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
July 30, 2018
I've had the great privilege of getting my hands on an early copy of Fionnuala Kearney's third novel, The Book of Love and what a book it is.
The characters of Dom and Erin will stay with me always, as will the story of their lives togethers.
The premise of this book is simple - it is the story of one couple's love for each other. On their wedding day Dom and Erin are gifted a notebook, one in which they must write to each other at times when they don't feel they can say out loud what needs to be said. A condition of the book is that they must end each letter on a note of love.
What follows is a book on the ups and downs of a real, honest, warts and all relationship - through good times and bad. It is the honest way in which relationships are looked at that make this book just so good.
And by good, I mean that I cried absolute buckets on a number of occasions but ultimately left Dom and Erin's story feeling uplifted with a renewed belief in the enduring power of love.
The story is one thing that is remarkable about this book, but really it is Fionnuala Kearney's beautiful writing that stands out. There are few writers able to describe the complexities of the human condition as well as she can. Once again, as with her previous novels, she captures the emotions of her characters brilliantly.
In my opinion this is Fionnuala Kearney's best book to date and it deserves to make her a household name. If Richard & Judy are reading this - get this book on your list and get everyone talking about it. The world might just be a better place if we all loved a bit more "mightily" as Dom and Erin do.
This book and this story left me breathless. It is my top read of 2018 without a shadow of a doubt. I implore you all to let Dom and Erin into your hearts.
The characters of Dom and Erin will stay with me always, as will the story of their lives togethers.
The premise of this book is simple - it is the story of one couple's love for each other. On their wedding day Dom and Erin are gifted a notebook, one in which they must write to each other at times when they don't feel they can say out loud what needs to be said. A condition of the book is that they must end each letter on a note of love.
What follows is a book on the ups and downs of a real, honest, warts and all relationship - through good times and bad. It is the honest way in which relationships are looked at that make this book just so good.
And by good, I mean that I cried absolute buckets on a number of occasions but ultimately left Dom and Erin's story feeling uplifted with a renewed belief in the enduring power of love.
The story is one thing that is remarkable about this book, but really it is Fionnuala Kearney's beautiful writing that stands out. There are few writers able to describe the complexities of the human condition as well as she can. Once again, as with her previous novels, she captures the emotions of her characters brilliantly.
In my opinion this is Fionnuala Kearney's best book to date and it deserves to make her a household name. If Richard & Judy are reading this - get this book on your list and get everyone talking about it. The world might just be a better place if we all loved a bit more "mightily" as Dom and Erin do.
This book and this story left me breathless. It is my top read of 2018 without a shadow of a doubt. I implore you all to let Dom and Erin into your hearts.
April 24, 2021
Quando comecei a ler este livro não ia com grande expectativa, mas assim que o comecei, não consegui parar de ler, e sempre que parava de o ler, não parava de pensar nele. É um livro bom, e que nos faz pensar e até a ideia que está neste livro é algo que poderá ser praticado, julgo que seja uma boa ideia. Quase que chorava horrores com o fim deste livro, não estava à espera, mas demonstrou-nos que mesmo para além do inevitável, que o amor estará sempre presente. Aconselho a lerem este livro.
https://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.co...
https://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.co...
November 6, 2018
I read this book slowly and really savoured it.
And I drowned in a sea of emotions reading it, but it made me laugh as much as it made me cry.
Full Review coming soon and possibly a cheesy limerick!
And I drowned in a sea of emotions reading it, but it made me laugh as much as it made me cry.
Full Review coming soon and possibly a cheesy limerick!
September 18, 2019
Perhaps I want to tell some more about this book, but for now I just want to wipe away my tears.
May 23, 2019
Das Buch hat mich überrascht! Hatte ich eine Standard-Liebesgeschichte erwartet, mit einem kleinen Büchlein als Add-On, so bekam ich die Geschichte einer Ehe mit all ihren Höhen & Tiefen, mit Glück, Problemen, Babies, Erschöpfung, Tragik, Verlust, Trauer, Wut, Vergebung, Überaschungen und immer wieder ganz viel Liebe. Die sich Erin und Dom immer wieder in ihrem kleinen Büchlein gestehen bzw. sich derer vergewissern. "Ohnegleichen" liebt Dom seine Erin, und ich frage mich welches Wort da wohl im Original stand. Obwohl beide ja bei der Hochzeit glauben, sie würden sich immer alles direkt ins Gesicht sagen können, beginnen sie doch relativ bald, das Buch zu nutzen. Papier ist geduldig, Papier lässt einen ausreden, Papier diskutiert nicht zurück, und so fällt es manchmal vielleicht leichter etwas aufzuschreiben anstatt es auszusprechen. Ich finde die Idee eines solchen "Buch der Liebe" Klasse, vielleicht verschenke ich das auch mal zur Hochzeit...
Die Geschichte von Erin und Dom bekommen wir häppchenweise, abwechselnd und in Rückblenden erzählt. Obwohl mir dieser Erzählstil nicht fremd ist, fand ich es in diesem Buch manchmal schwer, mich zu orientieren, wo genau wie jetzt gerade stehen (inhaltlich, nicht zeitlich, denn das Datum wurde zu Beginn jedes Kapitels angegeben). Was war noch mal im vorvorletzten Kapitel passiert, woran knüpfen wir hier an? Aber im Großen & Ganzen ging es eigentlich und ich konnte die Geschichte dennoch genießen.
Bemerkenswert für mich fand ich, dass ich in Streitfällen mich gar nicht recht auf eine der beiden Seiten schlagen konnte. Ich empfand Verständnis für beide, sicherlich auch etwas Mitleid, und wollte unbedingt, dass alles wieder ins Lot kommt.
Die Geschichte von Erin und Dom bekommen wir häppchenweise, abwechselnd und in Rückblenden erzählt. Obwohl mir dieser Erzählstil nicht fremd ist, fand ich es in diesem Buch manchmal schwer, mich zu orientieren, wo genau wie jetzt gerade stehen (inhaltlich, nicht zeitlich, denn das Datum wurde zu Beginn jedes Kapitels angegeben). Was war noch mal im vorvorletzten Kapitel passiert, woran knüpfen wir hier an? Aber im Großen & Ganzen ging es eigentlich und ich konnte die Geschichte dennoch genießen.
Bemerkenswert für mich fand ich, dass ich in Streitfällen mich gar nicht recht auf eine der beiden Seiten schlagen konnte. Ich empfand Verständnis für beide, sicherlich auch etwas Mitleid, und wollte unbedingt, dass alles wieder ins Lot kommt.
May 23, 2019
Auf "Wir zwei ein Leben lang" war ich sehr gespannt, da es nach einer gefühlvollen und besonderen Liebesgeschichte klang.
Leider musste ich jedoch schon auf den ersten Seiten feststellen, dass das Buch und ich vermutlich keine großen Freunde werden. Ich habe mich sehr schwer getan in die Geschichte reinzufinden und auch der eher nüchterne Schreibstil hat mich auf Distanz gehalten.
Das Besondere an der Liebesgeschichte zwischen Erin und Dom war für mich ihr Buch der Liebe, in das sie Dinge reinschreiben sollen, die sie einander nicht sagen können bzw. hatte ich mich hier auf Besonderheiten gefreut. Zum einen denke ich, dass man in einer Partnerschaft/Ehe über alles reden können sollte und zum anderen wurde in ihren Briefen an einander immer mehr Belanglosigkeiten ausgetauscht, so dass diese für mich irgendwann komplett uninteressant geworden sind.
Die Perspektive im Buch wechselt immer wieder zwischen Erin und Dom, was mir prinzipiell gefällt, da man so Einblick in beide Charaktere bekommt. Die Geschichte wechselt aber auch zwischen Heute und Damals, besonders mit dem Damals habe ich mich schwer getan, da es mir manchmal schwer gefallen ist was gerade in welcher Zeit aktuell ist. Für mich ging da vieles durcheinander, zumal es immer mehr um Alltäglichkeiten ging, die nicht wirklich zur Spannung und Unterhaltung in der Geschichte beigetragen habe.
Ich muss leider sagen, dass das Buch meine Erwartungen nicht erfüllt wurden und ich mehr gelangweilt als gut unterhalten wurde. Der Geschichte fehlte es für mich an Spannung, Gefühl und Emotionen. Der nüchterne Schreibstil konnte mich leider nicht mitreißen.
Leider musste ich jedoch schon auf den ersten Seiten feststellen, dass das Buch und ich vermutlich keine großen Freunde werden. Ich habe mich sehr schwer getan in die Geschichte reinzufinden und auch der eher nüchterne Schreibstil hat mich auf Distanz gehalten.
Das Besondere an der Liebesgeschichte zwischen Erin und Dom war für mich ihr Buch der Liebe, in das sie Dinge reinschreiben sollen, die sie einander nicht sagen können bzw. hatte ich mich hier auf Besonderheiten gefreut. Zum einen denke ich, dass man in einer Partnerschaft/Ehe über alles reden können sollte und zum anderen wurde in ihren Briefen an einander immer mehr Belanglosigkeiten ausgetauscht, so dass diese für mich irgendwann komplett uninteressant geworden sind.
Die Perspektive im Buch wechselt immer wieder zwischen Erin und Dom, was mir prinzipiell gefällt, da man so Einblick in beide Charaktere bekommt. Die Geschichte wechselt aber auch zwischen Heute und Damals, besonders mit dem Damals habe ich mich schwer getan, da es mir manchmal schwer gefallen ist was gerade in welcher Zeit aktuell ist. Für mich ging da vieles durcheinander, zumal es immer mehr um Alltäglichkeiten ging, die nicht wirklich zur Spannung und Unterhaltung in der Geschichte beigetragen habe.
Ich muss leider sagen, dass das Buch meine Erwartungen nicht erfüllt wurden und ich mehr gelangweilt als gut unterhalten wurde. Der Geschichte fehlte es für mich an Spannung, Gefühl und Emotionen. Der nüchterne Schreibstil konnte mich leider nicht mitreißen.
August 19, 2022
Na momente tužna, ali ništa ne bih propustila da je nisam pročitala. Što se mene tiče, možete da preskočite.
February 9, 2025
Wat een leuke manier om een boek te schrijven! Briefwisseling afgewisseld met een mooi past present verhaal. Ik heb er alvast van genoten.
February 6, 2019
Erin Fitzgerald and Dominic Carter got married in 1996 - they loved each other unconditionally and they're expecting a baby. Erin's father gives them a leather bond book - The Book of Love - to write down what they can't tell each other face to face. Each letter should end with a message of love. They're sceptical at first but then the book turns out to be pivotal source for their communication, to be a significant part of their lives.
You can't help but immediately fell for the characters, for their fates, for their feelings, emotions and unconditional love, and so, very quickly, you find yourself on incredible roller coaster ride through their lives, through the years they have to learn by themselves what life really is about. I experienced everything with them, I could feel their pain, hurt, uncertainty, love, hope and grief. The book offers us everything, through ups and downs, screw ups, struggles, heartbreaks and changes in relationships. All the characters are so well fleshed out, they're not perfect, they're full of flaws and secrets and they make mistakes but this only make them much more realistic and relatable. They're simply human - and after reading tons of books in my life I've learnt that it doesn't always work out for authors to create their characters this way, which only made me appreciate them even more. Each character in this book, no matter if the main or the background one, was authentic and genuine, in every detail and every gesture. The relationships between them - and there were plenty of them, not only this of marriage, but also of being a parent, sibling, friend - were real.
The story begins in 2017 and takes us back and forth through years, starting in 1996, and all those years are testimony of love. It moves smoothly between the timelines, and with ease, and there was maybe a moment or two when I shortly felt a little confused but quickly I was finding myself again on track. And I love the way it was written, as it really was full of surprises. When I was thinking that I know where I'm standing, where the story is going, then bang, and it was pushed in totally different direction.
The end made me really tearful. Such love, as this of Erin and Dom, it doesn't happen often, I think. You can love but there was such a special bond between them, a bond that was palpable through the pages and that I envied them so much. However, this bond doesn't mean that they didn't have problems communicating, because they did, there were things they couldn't tell each other face to face, and here comes The Book of Love, the gift Erin's father gave them at their wedding. Sometimes it's hard to speak up, to tell what's bothering you for fear what the other half may think of you and so Erin and Dom settled to write their deepest, most intimate thoughts in the book for each other. And it turned out to be a cathartic, emotional experience for both of them, and for us, readers, as well. What makes this book so exceptional is the honesty it's written with. Love is not only bed of roses, love can hurt, love means loss and grief and sadness, and the book mixes those moments perfectly with joy and humour and believe me, no matter how you're going to feel at the end, how much of a snotty mess you're going to be, it'll be an uplifting read that will restore your faith in love and friendship.
Lately we are literally flooded with descriptions of the books that shout "that final twist!" and that usually leave you lukewarm. Probably those that don't need such kind of advertising, that speak for themselves, are the best kind of twists - here, in this gorgeous story, I haven't seen the final twist. It just came and hit me hard on my unexpecting head and left me a) speechless and b) in tears - and this is what I call TWIST.
Fionnuala Kearney can write in such a gorgeous way - her writing style is flawless and effortless, of high quality and so chatty that when you start reading you simply can't put the book away. She captures all the insecurities and fears and the book is going to make you nod with understanding and agreement, to roll your eyes, laugh and cry. She, as not many out there, can describe human nature and the complexity of it with tons of sensitivity and understanding. "The Book of Love" was incredibly beautiful and brutally honest story of love, marriage and family. It has broken my heart, to mend it and to break it again. It was about forgiveness, showing how true love can knit people together in the face of disaster, tragedy but also happiness. Be prepared that you're going to be emotionally invested from the very beginning till the end. It was powerful and moving, uplifting and heart - breaking, mesmerising and enduring and I raced through the pages, though it is this kind of book that you also don't want to end. It was a complex and epic tale full of real people, real stories, real feelings. Deep and intelligent and so cleverly written, for sure my certain contender for the best read in 2019. And after reading it. this is what I call book - hangover. I loved it - mightily.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
January 27, 2021
Ein schrecklicher Schicksalsschlag trifft auf den nächsten. In "Wir zwei ein Leben lang" von Fionnuala Kearney treffen zwei Menschen aufeinander, die nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnten. Und doch lieben sie sich hoffnungslos. Erin und Dom sind zwei Charaktere, die immer zusammenhalten, bis ihnen ein schrecklicher Schicksalsschlag widerfährt.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und fesselnd. Man liest durch den lockeren Stil die Kapitel relativ schnell und ist durch die Unterteilung des Buches motiviert, immer bis zum nächsten Teil zu lesen.
Erin war mir manchmal in ihrem Verhalten sehr suspekt. Ihre Ängste konnte ich aber gut nachvollziehen. Dom hingegen war mir viel sympathischer und liebevoller gegenüber seiner Familie. Das Cover finde ich mega schön! Ehrlich gesagt, es passt aber irgendwie nicht zur Handlung. Obwohl das Buch ein Liebesroman ist, haben Erin und Dom fast das gesamte Buch über miteinander gestritten. Generell haben auch die Nebencharaktere oft Streit zu den Protagonisten geführt, was ich echt schade finde. Ich hätte mir mehr Szenen mit Gefühlen, Hoffnung und Liebe gewünscht. Dadurch, dass es kaum gefühlvolle Szenen gab, wirkte Erin viel zu oft eiskalt auf mich. Sie behandelt Dom nicht gut, obwohl er alles dafür macht, dass es seiner Familie bestens geht. Aus diesem Grund konnte ich ihre Liebe zueinander nicht nachempfinden. Die Handlung war mir meist zu traurig und vorhersehbar.
Eine Triggerwarnung wäre bei diesem Buch definitiv nötig gewesen. Ich kann euch die Geschichte empfehlen, wenn euch eine tiefe, traurige Grundstimmung nicht abschreckt. Die Stimmung wird aufgelockert durch niedliche Briefe, die Erin und Dom sich in einem Buch hinterlassen. Die Idee der Geschichte finde ich schön und realistisch, aber ist jetzt nichts Besonderes. Ich glaube, dass mir das Buch nicht lange im Gedächtnis bleiben wird. Ein bisschen mehr Kitsch und innige Momente hätte ich schon erwartet, aber die gab es nicht. Das Ende hat mich ein wenig verloren zurückgelassen. Man begleitet die Charaktere ein Leben lang, wie der Titel schon verrät. Zum Schluss hat es sich angefühlt, als würde ich mich für längere Zeit von einem Familienmitglied verabschieden. Zusammenfassend weiß ich letztendlich nicht, ob ich das gut oder schlecht finde.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und fesselnd. Man liest durch den lockeren Stil die Kapitel relativ schnell und ist durch die Unterteilung des Buches motiviert, immer bis zum nächsten Teil zu lesen.
Erin war mir manchmal in ihrem Verhalten sehr suspekt. Ihre Ängste konnte ich aber gut nachvollziehen. Dom hingegen war mir viel sympathischer und liebevoller gegenüber seiner Familie. Das Cover finde ich mega schön! Ehrlich gesagt, es passt aber irgendwie nicht zur Handlung. Obwohl das Buch ein Liebesroman ist, haben Erin und Dom fast das gesamte Buch über miteinander gestritten. Generell haben auch die Nebencharaktere oft Streit zu den Protagonisten geführt, was ich echt schade finde. Ich hätte mir mehr Szenen mit Gefühlen, Hoffnung und Liebe gewünscht. Dadurch, dass es kaum gefühlvolle Szenen gab, wirkte Erin viel zu oft eiskalt auf mich. Sie behandelt Dom nicht gut, obwohl er alles dafür macht, dass es seiner Familie bestens geht. Aus diesem Grund konnte ich ihre Liebe zueinander nicht nachempfinden. Die Handlung war mir meist zu traurig und vorhersehbar.
Eine Triggerwarnung wäre bei diesem Buch definitiv nötig gewesen. Ich kann euch die Geschichte empfehlen, wenn euch eine tiefe, traurige Grundstimmung nicht abschreckt. Die Stimmung wird aufgelockert durch niedliche Briefe, die Erin und Dom sich in einem Buch hinterlassen. Die Idee der Geschichte finde ich schön und realistisch, aber ist jetzt nichts Besonderes. Ich glaube, dass mir das Buch nicht lange im Gedächtnis bleiben wird. Ein bisschen mehr Kitsch und innige Momente hätte ich schon erwartet, aber die gab es nicht. Das Ende hat mich ein wenig verloren zurückgelassen. Man begleitet die Charaktere ein Leben lang, wie der Titel schon verrät. Zum Schluss hat es sich angefühlt, als würde ich mich für längere Zeit von einem Familienmitglied verabschieden. Zusammenfassend weiß ich letztendlich nicht, ob ich das gut oder schlecht finde.
August 14, 2020
What can I say except: I love this book mightily. I love it for its romance, for its honesty, and for its loud voice which challenged the notion of romantic fiction being purely ‘chick-lit’. This is the book that our literary canon has been missing. Fionnuala Kearney deftly examines how the love of a newlywed couple- Erin and Dom- endures over twenty years.
Before elaborating on why I so adore “The Book of Love”, I think it pertinent to explain the criteria I have employed to judge it as so remarkable. As an avid romance-reader, it is sometimes a struggle to find a book with romance at its core, which is neither sickly-sweet nor ‘trashy’ fiction. I know, I know, I hear you say “But what about Pride and Prejudice? Jane Eyre? A Room with a View?”. Of course, these books do exist, and a love story is at the centre of many of the greatest novels ever written. However, until reading this book I had not read another containing all the qualities I most love: modern, ‘easy-to-read’, relatable, eventful, romantic, verging on cheesy, well-written, and full of remarkable ideas. Above all, I want to read a book which does not end at the lovers realising their mutual passion or marrying. I realised that this is the case in many romance novels, either that, or the protagonists are in an unhappy marriage ready to leave one another. I do not wish to discount fiction of this type, rather I aim to highlight the magnificence of “The Book of Love”. To paraphrase from the blurb, it is a book about staying in love, not falling in love. This is exactly what I have wanted to read for eons: a book of enduring love. I imagine this book does not sit alone in this category, so I applaud this book as my first instance of reading one of its kind. I so enjoyed reading this romance story whilst simultaneously reading a substantial piece of fiction. Love and loss drive the plot, but it also encompasses anxiety, trust, and grief to name a few. If chick-lit could ever proffer a book in our modern literary canon, then this would be it.
Kearney has excellent command of language. She skilfully switches between presenting the two distinct voices of Erin and Dom. Given that the novel’s central tenet is enduring love, it is fundamental to give credence to both people in the marriage. The characters’ relationship succeeds largely in part because of their well-versed communication with one another. For the reader to believe in their everlasting love the relationship must be explored transparently without bias. In creating a dual narrative, Kearney candidly portrays not only the highlights but also the challenges which Erin and Dom faced together in their married life.
Tangential to this, the construction of two timelines works brilliantly. One begins at the couple’s wedding, and one twenty years later. Whilst it could seem like four stories are being told, it is written in such a way that it is not perplexing; I saw it as all part of the same story. Jumps between time and character did not impact my enjoyment nor my understanding. It is the appropriate structure for the book, and I doubt it would be as engaging otherwise. Indeed, the book could not be entirely chronological, as the two timelines needed to coincide at its surprise ending to compound the tension and tragedy. A consequence of this structure is that I spent the novel asking, “how are they going to resolve this issue”, rather than “are they going to stay together?”. I found it valuable to read the characters’ reflections on situations in the first timeline, and to see their long-term impact. Another success of this structure is that it enables a broader readership to relate to and engage with the characters. Perhaps young lovers could see themselves in the first timeline, and older married couples related to the second. This idea could apply to many other books, but I believe the strong development of both characters in each timeline makes it especially true in this case. All readers could gleam valuable knowledge about dealing with love and life from the pages of this masterpiece.
There are so many elements to this book to take delight in. It beautifully covered lots of little moments in time. Despite not being considerably dramatic, the plot was certainly eventful and took care to examine the emotions and consequences arising from each situation. I must also praise its meta nature with the excerpts from the book of love. These excerpts allow the reader to hear a conversation happening between the two lovers on the pages, parallel to the conversation between the reader and the author. “The Book of Love” being the novel’s title reaffirms its significance as the vehicle for Erin and Dom’s enduring love. Kearney constructed an incredibly intimate space through the book of love, which became exceptionally evocative. I felt so invested and was utterly compelled for the novel’s entirety. I grant it status as a one-of-a-kind book because it made me cry, a feat which I can count on one hand.
It was my perfect book.
Before elaborating on why I so adore “The Book of Love”, I think it pertinent to explain the criteria I have employed to judge it as so remarkable. As an avid romance-reader, it is sometimes a struggle to find a book with romance at its core, which is neither sickly-sweet nor ‘trashy’ fiction. I know, I know, I hear you say “But what about Pride and Prejudice? Jane Eyre? A Room with a View?”. Of course, these books do exist, and a love story is at the centre of many of the greatest novels ever written. However, until reading this book I had not read another containing all the qualities I most love: modern, ‘easy-to-read’, relatable, eventful, romantic, verging on cheesy, well-written, and full of remarkable ideas. Above all, I want to read a book which does not end at the lovers realising their mutual passion or marrying. I realised that this is the case in many romance novels, either that, or the protagonists are in an unhappy marriage ready to leave one another. I do not wish to discount fiction of this type, rather I aim to highlight the magnificence of “The Book of Love”. To paraphrase from the blurb, it is a book about staying in love, not falling in love. This is exactly what I have wanted to read for eons: a book of enduring love. I imagine this book does not sit alone in this category, so I applaud this book as my first instance of reading one of its kind. I so enjoyed reading this romance story whilst simultaneously reading a substantial piece of fiction. Love and loss drive the plot, but it also encompasses anxiety, trust, and grief to name a few. If chick-lit could ever proffer a book in our modern literary canon, then this would be it.
Kearney has excellent command of language. She skilfully switches between presenting the two distinct voices of Erin and Dom. Given that the novel’s central tenet is enduring love, it is fundamental to give credence to both people in the marriage. The characters’ relationship succeeds largely in part because of their well-versed communication with one another. For the reader to believe in their everlasting love the relationship must be explored transparently without bias. In creating a dual narrative, Kearney candidly portrays not only the highlights but also the challenges which Erin and Dom faced together in their married life.
Tangential to this, the construction of two timelines works brilliantly. One begins at the couple’s wedding, and one twenty years later. Whilst it could seem like four stories are being told, it is written in such a way that it is not perplexing; I saw it as all part of the same story. Jumps between time and character did not impact my enjoyment nor my understanding. It is the appropriate structure for the book, and I doubt it would be as engaging otherwise. Indeed, the book could not be entirely chronological, as the two timelines needed to coincide at its surprise ending to compound the tension and tragedy. A consequence of this structure is that I spent the novel asking, “how are they going to resolve this issue”, rather than “are they going to stay together?”. I found it valuable to read the characters’ reflections on situations in the first timeline, and to see their long-term impact. Another success of this structure is that it enables a broader readership to relate to and engage with the characters. Perhaps young lovers could see themselves in the first timeline, and older married couples related to the second. This idea could apply to many other books, but I believe the strong development of both characters in each timeline makes it especially true in this case. All readers could gleam valuable knowledge about dealing with love and life from the pages of this masterpiece.
There are so many elements to this book to take delight in. It beautifully covered lots of little moments in time. Despite not being considerably dramatic, the plot was certainly eventful and took care to examine the emotions and consequences arising from each situation. I must also praise its meta nature with the excerpts from the book of love. These excerpts allow the reader to hear a conversation happening between the two lovers on the pages, parallel to the conversation between the reader and the author. “The Book of Love” being the novel’s title reaffirms its significance as the vehicle for Erin and Dom’s enduring love. Kearney constructed an incredibly intimate space through the book of love, which became exceptionally evocative. I felt so invested and was utterly compelled for the novel’s entirety. I grant it status as a one-of-a-kind book because it made me cry, a feat which I can count on one hand.
It was my perfect book.
July 11, 2021
IT. WAS. BEAUTIFUL.
I. CRIED.😭😭😭😭
I. CRIED.😭😭😭😭
January 22, 2019
First read of 2019! I thoroughly enjoyed this story of how love changes and evolves and endures and requires striving to choose one another over and over again. A great read to balance out your nonfiction (aka more serious) reading of the year, but full disclosure: no people of colour characters in this book.
August 21, 2020
Prachtig!!! Al vanaf bladzijde 1 werd ik meegezogen. Ik vind het een heerlijke schrijfstijl, beetje mysterieus ofzo. Ik weet eigenlijk niet hoe ik dat moet omschrijven. Ik vond het tegelijkertijd ook wel chaotisch geschreven, en vaak vroeg ik me af waar het heen ging. Maar oh...wat is het einde mooi!!! Dikke 5 sterren. Dit boek heeft me echt geraakt!
October 9, 2018
An exquisite book. So beautiful. I cried and cried.
This story and these characters stayed with me for days when I finished it. An absolute triumph and a book that I turned straight back to the first page to read again when I'd finished. Loved it.
This story and these characters stayed with me for days when I finished it. An absolute triumph and a book that I turned straight back to the first page to read again when I'd finished. Loved it.
January 15, 2019
I didn't really enjoy this book. The story was too syrupy and sweet, and I found the dialogue unrealistic.
It was a chore to get through and almost gave up a number of times.
Also, I found the font for the letters to be unreadable on the Kindle.
It was a chore to get through and almost gave up a number of times.
Also, I found the font for the letters to be unreadable on the Kindle.
February 13, 2020
Easy to read, you'll fall in love with the characters instantly. I find it very inspiring to use a book to share your thoughts with your partner that you can't say it our loud or to his face. I highly recommend this book 😊
September 18, 2023
plot twist was waaaaay to obvious
January 13, 2020
Een mooi verhaal over echte liefde. Het duurde even voor ik mee was in het ritme, maar vanaf dan was het een heerlijk boek.
April 24, 2019
Meine Meinung:
Vielen herzlichen Dank an dieser Stelle noch einmal an den Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar! Ich habe mich wirklich sehr über das Buch gefreut!
Fangen wir mit dem Schreibstil an. Dieser hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, da er sich schön lesen lies. Generell flog man nur so durch das Buch, was mir wirklich gut gefallen hat. Ebenfalls fand ich einige der Kapitelanfänge sehr schön gestaltet, da es dort am Anfang einen Auszug aus dem „Buch der Liebe“ gab.
Ich muss sagen, dass mich das Buch wirklich direkt angesprochen hat. Nicht nur das Cover finde ich atemberaubend schön (durch dieses wurde ich auch erst auf das Buch aufmerksam), sondern auch der Klappentext hat mich sofort angesprochen. Es gab schon lange keinen Klappentext mehr, der mich wirklich so sehr angesprochen hat, wie von diesem Buch. Besonders gefallen hat mir dabei die Grundidee mit dem Notizbuch, welches auch das „Buch der Liebe“ genannt wird. Das war nämlich mal eine völlig neue Idee, die ich so bisher noch von keinem Buch kannte. Das zweite was mich dann auch noch total interessiert hat, war das Geheimnis, welches Dominic zu haben schien. Da mich diese Beiden Faktoren so neugierig auf das Buch gemacht haben, dauerte es auch nicht lange, bis ich das Buch anfing und ich kann an dieser Stelle schon einmal sagen: Ich habe es wirklich geliebt!
Erin und Dominic fand ich als Protagonisten wirklich toll. Ich muss zwar auch ehrlich sagen, dass ich anfangs nicht so warm mit Dominic wurde, weil er mir anfangs immer ein wenig distanziert rüberkam (da er auch nicht wirklich oft in das Notizbuch schrieb, sondern eher Erin), allerdings legte sich das im Laufe der Geschichte immer mehr und ich konnte ihn schließlich auch in mein Herz schließen. Vor allem gefallen hat mir aber auch, dass es abwechselnd Kapitel aus der Vergangenheit und Gegenwart gab, denn so lernte man die beiden wirklich gut kennen und erfuhr einiges über sie. Außerdem konnte man sich wirklich sehr gut mit ihnen identifizieren und ihre Gefühle und Handlungen nachvollziehen. Natürlich fand ich auch den Aspekt mit der Liebe wirklich toll, denn man merkt einfach das ganze Buch über wie sehr sich die beiden lieben, allen Schwierigkeiten am Anfang ihrer Beziehung bzw. Ehe zum Trotz.
In der Geschichte werden viele wichtige Themen vermittelt, darunter zählt auch unter anderem anderen verzeihen zu können oder dies zu lernen und die Akzeptanz anderer. Diese beiden Themen wurden in dem Buch wirklich gut vermittelt. Ich hätte anfangs auch ehrlich gesagt wirklich nicht gedacht, dass mich diese Geschichte so mitreißen und berühren würde! Es wurden unter anderem auch wirklich wichtige Themen angesprochen und genau das hat mir auch wirklich gut gefallen.
Von Anfang an war ich von dem „Buch der Liebe“ wirklich begeistert, es hat die Geschichte nicht nur zu etwas besonderem gemacht, sondern zeigte einem auch, dass man zwar nicht immer von Angesicht zu Angesicht mit jemandem reden kann, es in diesem Buch aber einfacher geht und man schließlich doch darüber reden konnte.
Ich muss auch ehrlich sagen, dass ich so mit dem krassen Geheimnis nicht gerechnet habe. Als ich an einer bestimmten Stelle ankam, dachte ich, dass damit das Geheimnis gemeint wäre, jedoch hat mich das nicht wirklich überrascht, da man das im Laufe der Geschichte schon erahnen konnte. Welch dramatische Wendung das alles aber genommen hat, erfuhr man aber rasch danach auch noch. Und damit hatte ich so wirklich nicht gerechnet. Ich dachte wirklich, dass das schon das krasseste an dem Buch gewesen wäre, aber die Autorin hat wirklich nochmal eine Schippe draufgelegt und etwas eingebaut, mit dem ich so nie gerechnet hätte. Das war einfach so eine krasse Wendung, dass ich wirklich nicht so recht begreifen konnte, dass das wirklich passiert war. Überrascht hat mich die Autorin damit definitiv! Generell rief diese Geschichte einfach total viele Gefühle in mir hervor und das fand ich wirklich toll. Gerade das Ende hat es nochmal in sich gehabt und ich fand es wirklich einfach nur total schön, aber gleichzeitig trotzdem auch ein wenig traurig. Ich kann euch das Buch an dieser Stelle wirklich nur ans Herz legen, weil es einem zeigt, wie stark die Liebe sein kann!
Fazit:
Ein wirklich tolles, emotionales und ergreifendes Buch über die Liebe. Es hat mich wirklich mitreißen können, hat mich aber auch genauso sehr überrascht. Es hatte einfach eine perfekte Mischung und einen wirklich tollen Abschluss! Ich vergebe an dieser Stelle 5/5 Sterne.
Vielen herzlichen Dank an dieser Stelle noch einmal an den Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar! Ich habe mich wirklich sehr über das Buch gefreut!
Fangen wir mit dem Schreibstil an. Dieser hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, da er sich schön lesen lies. Generell flog man nur so durch das Buch, was mir wirklich gut gefallen hat. Ebenfalls fand ich einige der Kapitelanfänge sehr schön gestaltet, da es dort am Anfang einen Auszug aus dem „Buch der Liebe“ gab.
Ich muss sagen, dass mich das Buch wirklich direkt angesprochen hat. Nicht nur das Cover finde ich atemberaubend schön (durch dieses wurde ich auch erst auf das Buch aufmerksam), sondern auch der Klappentext hat mich sofort angesprochen. Es gab schon lange keinen Klappentext mehr, der mich wirklich so sehr angesprochen hat, wie von diesem Buch. Besonders gefallen hat mir dabei die Grundidee mit dem Notizbuch, welches auch das „Buch der Liebe“ genannt wird. Das war nämlich mal eine völlig neue Idee, die ich so bisher noch von keinem Buch kannte. Das zweite was mich dann auch noch total interessiert hat, war das Geheimnis, welches Dominic zu haben schien. Da mich diese Beiden Faktoren so neugierig auf das Buch gemacht haben, dauerte es auch nicht lange, bis ich das Buch anfing und ich kann an dieser Stelle schon einmal sagen: Ich habe es wirklich geliebt!
Erin und Dominic fand ich als Protagonisten wirklich toll. Ich muss zwar auch ehrlich sagen, dass ich anfangs nicht so warm mit Dominic wurde, weil er mir anfangs immer ein wenig distanziert rüberkam (da er auch nicht wirklich oft in das Notizbuch schrieb, sondern eher Erin), allerdings legte sich das im Laufe der Geschichte immer mehr und ich konnte ihn schließlich auch in mein Herz schließen. Vor allem gefallen hat mir aber auch, dass es abwechselnd Kapitel aus der Vergangenheit und Gegenwart gab, denn so lernte man die beiden wirklich gut kennen und erfuhr einiges über sie. Außerdem konnte man sich wirklich sehr gut mit ihnen identifizieren und ihre Gefühle und Handlungen nachvollziehen. Natürlich fand ich auch den Aspekt mit der Liebe wirklich toll, denn man merkt einfach das ganze Buch über wie sehr sich die beiden lieben, allen Schwierigkeiten am Anfang ihrer Beziehung bzw. Ehe zum Trotz.
In der Geschichte werden viele wichtige Themen vermittelt, darunter zählt auch unter anderem anderen verzeihen zu können oder dies zu lernen und die Akzeptanz anderer. Diese beiden Themen wurden in dem Buch wirklich gut vermittelt. Ich hätte anfangs auch ehrlich gesagt wirklich nicht gedacht, dass mich diese Geschichte so mitreißen und berühren würde! Es wurden unter anderem auch wirklich wichtige Themen angesprochen und genau das hat mir auch wirklich gut gefallen.
Von Anfang an war ich von dem „Buch der Liebe“ wirklich begeistert, es hat die Geschichte nicht nur zu etwas besonderem gemacht, sondern zeigte einem auch, dass man zwar nicht immer von Angesicht zu Angesicht mit jemandem reden kann, es in diesem Buch aber einfacher geht und man schließlich doch darüber reden konnte.
Ich muss auch ehrlich sagen, dass ich so mit dem krassen Geheimnis nicht gerechnet habe. Als ich an einer bestimmten Stelle ankam, dachte ich, dass damit das Geheimnis gemeint wäre, jedoch hat mich das nicht wirklich überrascht, da man das im Laufe der Geschichte schon erahnen konnte. Welch dramatische Wendung das alles aber genommen hat, erfuhr man aber rasch danach auch noch. Und damit hatte ich so wirklich nicht gerechnet. Ich dachte wirklich, dass das schon das krasseste an dem Buch gewesen wäre, aber die Autorin hat wirklich nochmal eine Schippe draufgelegt und etwas eingebaut, mit dem ich so nie gerechnet hätte. Das war einfach so eine krasse Wendung, dass ich wirklich nicht so recht begreifen konnte, dass das wirklich passiert war. Überrascht hat mich die Autorin damit definitiv! Generell rief diese Geschichte einfach total viele Gefühle in mir hervor und das fand ich wirklich toll. Gerade das Ende hat es nochmal in sich gehabt und ich fand es wirklich einfach nur total schön, aber gleichzeitig trotzdem auch ein wenig traurig. Ich kann euch das Buch an dieser Stelle wirklich nur ans Herz legen, weil es einem zeigt, wie stark die Liebe sein kann!
Fazit:
Ein wirklich tolles, emotionales und ergreifendes Buch über die Liebe. Es hat mich wirklich mitreißen können, hat mich aber auch genauso sehr überrascht. Es hatte einfach eine perfekte Mischung und einen wirklich tollen Abschluss! Ich vergebe an dieser Stelle 5/5 Sterne.
February 7, 2019
The Book of Love is such a beautiful love story following Erin and Dom’s romance which is told through alternating chapters which jump back and forth in time, we take a journey with them from when they first met right through their joyous highs and tragic lows. The chapters are told from both of their points of view so we get to build a perfect picture of both characters and their love for each other shines through as well as their insecurities.
I loved reading the notes that both Dom and Erin wrote to each other in their notebook, I did find it a little sad at first thinking that they couldn’t have the bond to be able to say what they needed to say to each other but if I really think about it there are things I hold back from saying for not wanting to upset my partners feelings or not quite knowing how to say it out loud and this is exactly how Erin seemed to feel.
I found this storyline quite emotional at times and the issues that Erin and Dom face over the course of their relationship are all things that unfortunately many couples face day to day in the real world. One particular part of the book concerning their daughter Maisie did bring a lump to my throat.
I was quite content reading this book thinking this is a beautiful storyline well worthy of a 4 star review but then I reached a part in this book that I wasn’t expecting and straight away that 5th star was awarded! I don’t want to say anything else on this part of the book and I really hope other reviewers respect this too and do not give anything away as having the author completely pull the wool over my eyes with not even a small inkling is not something that happens often so I want everyone that reads this book to experience that same shock when they read this part ( YES YOU WILL KNOW WHAT PART!)
This was a touching romance that will take you on a roller-coaster of emotions as you see the struggles that Dom and Erin face and yet their total love and devotion for each other will warm the heart.
I loved reading the notes that both Dom and Erin wrote to each other in their notebook, I did find it a little sad at first thinking that they couldn’t have the bond to be able to say what they needed to say to each other but if I really think about it there are things I hold back from saying for not wanting to upset my partners feelings or not quite knowing how to say it out loud and this is exactly how Erin seemed to feel.
I found this storyline quite emotional at times and the issues that Erin and Dom face over the course of their relationship are all things that unfortunately many couples face day to day in the real world. One particular part of the book concerning their daughter Maisie did bring a lump to my throat.
I was quite content reading this book thinking this is a beautiful storyline well worthy of a 4 star review but then I reached a part in this book that I wasn’t expecting and straight away that 5th star was awarded! I don’t want to say anything else on this part of the book and I really hope other reviewers respect this too and do not give anything away as having the author completely pull the wool over my eyes with not even a small inkling is not something that happens often so I want everyone that reads this book to experience that same shock when they read this part ( YES YOU WILL KNOW WHAT PART!)
This was a touching romance that will take you on a roller-coaster of emotions as you see the struggles that Dom and Erin face and yet their total love and devotion for each other will warm the heart.
April 11, 2019
Ich habe bisher kein vergleichbares Buch gelesen. Wir zwei ein Leben lang erzählt keine typische Liebesgeschichte, sondern behandelt die Zeit nach dem Zusammenkommen. Die Idee darüber zu schreiben, finde ich besonders spannend, weshalb ich mich sehr darauf gefreut habe, das Buch zu lesen.
Schon von der ersten Seite an steckt man in der Geschichte, die gefühlvoll erzählt wird. Fionnuala Kearney besitzt einen flüssigen Schreibstil, sodass es angenehm ist der Geschichte zu folgen. Die Geschichte wirkt sehr real, weil sich die Autorin auch mit Problemen, die eine Ehe beinhalten kann, auseinandersetzt. Somit steckt Wir zwei ein Leben lang nicht nur voller süßer Momente, sondern zeigt auch ernste Seiten. Das macht die Geschichte besonders authentisch. Vor allem, weil die Probleme nicht aufgesetzt wirken, sondern gut nachzuvollziehen sind. In schwierigen Zeiten zittert man mit beiden mit und spürt auch die Gefühle beider, weil es Fionnuala Kearney gelingt, diese nahbar zu beschreiben. Die schönen Momente wirken dafür umso bezaubernder und zeigen, dass es sich für diese lohnt auch die schwierigen Zeiten durchzustehen. Somit erschafft die Autorin Szenen, die mit dem echten Leben zusammenhängen und begegnet sensiblen Themen mit genug Tiefe.
Die Handlung besteht aus einem Auf und Ab der Gefühle. Dennoch ist die Geschichte spannend, weil man während diesem Gefühlschaos eine Entwicklung bei Erin und Dominic erkennt. Dafür ist der letzte Teil des Buchs umso überraschender und macht das Buch, das anfangs noch gewöhnlich klingt, zu etwas Besonderem. Der letzte Teil bleibt dem Leser auch besonders in Erinnerung - nicht nur, weil er einen überraschenden Wendepunkt enthält, sondern auch, weil er die Botschaft der Geschichte verstärkt.
Die Charaktere werden lebensecht beschrieben. Dominic und Erin haben beide Stärken und Schwächen, die anschaulich dargestellt werden. Sie sind nicht perfekt und zeigen, dass es in der Liebe darum geht seinen Partner mit all seinen Seiten zu lieben und auch Fehler zu verzeihen.
Gut gefällt mir, dass auch die Nebencharaktere Raum einnehmen und deren Probleme ebenfalls behandelt werden. Dadurch wird gezeigt, dass keine Beziehung perfekt ist und jeder Höhen und Tiefen im Leben erlebt.
Fazit: Wir zwei ein Leben lang steckt voller Tiefgründigkeit und zeigt wie stark die Liebe sein kann.
Schon von der ersten Seite an steckt man in der Geschichte, die gefühlvoll erzählt wird. Fionnuala Kearney besitzt einen flüssigen Schreibstil, sodass es angenehm ist der Geschichte zu folgen. Die Geschichte wirkt sehr real, weil sich die Autorin auch mit Problemen, die eine Ehe beinhalten kann, auseinandersetzt. Somit steckt Wir zwei ein Leben lang nicht nur voller süßer Momente, sondern zeigt auch ernste Seiten. Das macht die Geschichte besonders authentisch. Vor allem, weil die Probleme nicht aufgesetzt wirken, sondern gut nachzuvollziehen sind. In schwierigen Zeiten zittert man mit beiden mit und spürt auch die Gefühle beider, weil es Fionnuala Kearney gelingt, diese nahbar zu beschreiben. Die schönen Momente wirken dafür umso bezaubernder und zeigen, dass es sich für diese lohnt auch die schwierigen Zeiten durchzustehen. Somit erschafft die Autorin Szenen, die mit dem echten Leben zusammenhängen und begegnet sensiblen Themen mit genug Tiefe.
Die Handlung besteht aus einem Auf und Ab der Gefühle. Dennoch ist die Geschichte spannend, weil man während diesem Gefühlschaos eine Entwicklung bei Erin und Dominic erkennt. Dafür ist der letzte Teil des Buchs umso überraschender und macht das Buch, das anfangs noch gewöhnlich klingt, zu etwas Besonderem. Der letzte Teil bleibt dem Leser auch besonders in Erinnerung - nicht nur, weil er einen überraschenden Wendepunkt enthält, sondern auch, weil er die Botschaft der Geschichte verstärkt.
Die Charaktere werden lebensecht beschrieben. Dominic und Erin haben beide Stärken und Schwächen, die anschaulich dargestellt werden. Sie sind nicht perfekt und zeigen, dass es in der Liebe darum geht seinen Partner mit all seinen Seiten zu lieben und auch Fehler zu verzeihen.
Gut gefällt mir, dass auch die Nebencharaktere Raum einnehmen und deren Probleme ebenfalls behandelt werden. Dadurch wird gezeigt, dass keine Beziehung perfekt ist und jeder Höhen und Tiefen im Leben erlebt.
Fazit: Wir zwei ein Leben lang steckt voller Tiefgründigkeit und zeigt wie stark die Liebe sein kann.
June 22, 2019
Desengane-se quem achar que este livro é um daqueles romances cheios de florzinhas, e passarinhos e rebeubeu pardais ao ninho.
E com um daqueles finais previsíveis. Que também não é.
É uma história sobre amor, claro, mas é muito, muito mais do que isso.
É uma história sobre casamento, sobre família, sobre filhos, sobre perda, sobre luto, sobre luta, sobre mentiras.
É um livro que parece pequeno (e efectivamente não é muito grande), mas que explora tantos temas que se torna um livro muitíssimo interessante.
A autora leva-nos pela mão para conhecer esta história de amor entre Dom e Erin, e vamos andando em momentos no tempo presente e em momentos no tempo passado.
E autora tem uma capacidade incrível de nos enrolar nesta história e de nos surpreender constantemente! Sem grande pré-aviso. É um pequeno ataque cardíaco atrás do outro.
É, portanto, um livro bastante forte, bastante emotivo, que nos parte o coração em muitos momentos, que depois nos cura o coração e que nos volta a partir o coração e ficamos com ele em pedaços mesmo, ainda que no fim a autora nos diga algo como "vá, chorem tudo, mas tomem lá aqui uns lenchinhos para limparem as lágrimas e esse ranho todo" e "agora parem e pensem naquilo que é o mais romântico de todo este livro"...que é o amor verdadeiro e um amor que dura uma vida inteira.
É uma escrita fantástica e foi um romance que, apesar eu de ter neste momento o coração cheio de fita-cola, elevou este tipo de livros para outro patamar.
Porque é um romance com tantos momentos tristes, tão ao contrário daquilo que eu quero ver num romance e que, contudo, me conseguiu completamente arrebatar e ficar com esta história bem guardada cá dentro.
Recomendo vivamente esta leitura.
Comprem lenços de papel, mas leiam. E depois digam qualquer coisa...
E com um daqueles finais previsíveis. Que também não é.
É uma história sobre amor, claro, mas é muito, muito mais do que isso.
É uma história sobre casamento, sobre família, sobre filhos, sobre perda, sobre luto, sobre luta, sobre mentiras.
É um livro que parece pequeno (e efectivamente não é muito grande), mas que explora tantos temas que se torna um livro muitíssimo interessante.
A autora leva-nos pela mão para conhecer esta história de amor entre Dom e Erin, e vamos andando em momentos no tempo presente e em momentos no tempo passado.
E autora tem uma capacidade incrível de nos enrolar nesta história e de nos surpreender constantemente! Sem grande pré-aviso. É um pequeno ataque cardíaco atrás do outro.
É, portanto, um livro bastante forte, bastante emotivo, que nos parte o coração em muitos momentos, que depois nos cura o coração e que nos volta a partir o coração e ficamos com ele em pedaços mesmo, ainda que no fim a autora nos diga algo como "vá, chorem tudo, mas tomem lá aqui uns lenchinhos para limparem as lágrimas e esse ranho todo" e "agora parem e pensem naquilo que é o mais romântico de todo este livro"...que é o amor verdadeiro e um amor que dura uma vida inteira.
É uma escrita fantástica e foi um romance que, apesar eu de ter neste momento o coração cheio de fita-cola, elevou este tipo de livros para outro patamar.
Porque é um romance com tantos momentos tristes, tão ao contrário daquilo que eu quero ver num romance e que, contudo, me conseguiu completamente arrebatar e ficar com esta história bem guardada cá dentro.
Recomendo vivamente esta leitura.
Comprem lenços de papel, mas leiam. E depois digam qualquer coisa...
January 28, 2022
Ich dachte es wäre ein positives Buch über Liebe und Hoffnung. Dabei ist es eher deprimierend über Verlust, Tod, Streit, Krankheit, nachtragend sein, Abhängigkeit… auch über Liebe und Hoffnung, aber die anderen Themen haben für mich überwogen und eher in eine traurige Stimmung versetzt. Zum Glück ist es jetzt fertig.
Ich denke mir, dass die Vorleser die deprimierende Stimmung stark verstärkt haben, eventuell ist es selbst gelesen besser.
Ich denke mir, dass die Vorleser die deprimierende Stimmung stark verstärkt haben, eventuell ist es selbst gelesen besser.
November 14, 2018
A beautiful idea, beautifully written, with characters I won't ever forget. Though a relationship is at the core of the story, this isn't some sugary, light, romance novel - it's an epic tale, full of rich description, real people, true life difficulties, and tragedy. This one will top a lot of the favourite book of year lists, including mine. Highly recommended.
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