The History of Us Audiobook

" Not the greatest writing but definitely held my interest. Worth the dollar I paid at used bookstore "

" If you have lived in Cincinnati (I have not) you may enjoy this book more than I did. I think I would have gotten more from the book if I had a better appreciation for the different characteristics of the parts of the city. Not a bad book, just did not live up to what I think it could have been. "

" Couldn't put this book down. Excellent. "

" Eloise Hempel gives up her new life as a Professor at Harvard to return to Cincinnati to raise her two nieces and nephew after their parents are killed. Sounds like it would be a good story but it isn't written that way. The characters come across as very flat and I find myself not really caring for any of them. The book picks up a bit for me near the end when the characters actually start to come to life a bit. "

" I enjoyed Leah Stewart's previous novel The Myth of You and I very much and looked forward to reading her new novel. I got into the story quickly, but unfortunately started to dislike the main characters half way through the book, in spite of the very fine writing. Eloise gives up everything- her teaching career at Harvard, her new found life and freedom in Boston, to take care of her deceased sister's three young children, when her mother does not want the responsibility. Along with moving to Cincinnati, she also moves into her childhood home, a vast "mansion". Seventeen years later, when the youngest child moves out, Eloise wants her mother to sign over the house to her so she can sell it and move on with her life. The problem is the two older children have moved back home, and are in no hurry to go anywhere. The oldest,Theo, fights with Eloise, going behind her back to the distant grandmother, and asks for the house herself, despite the glaringly obvious fact that there is no way she can possible afford to pay for the whole thing since she cannot even pay rent, having no job, nor much desire to get one. The character of Theo was the one I had the hardest time with. She seemed so self centered, not once did I get the sense that she had been the responsible, reliable eldest child. I did enjoy the other characters, and the writing as I said was very good. Maybe the idea of grown children returning home indefinitely scares me a bit, having two teens at home. A good book, but not a favorite. "

" A quick read, with a catchy plot, but the characters got on my nerves at times. "

" I had to stop reading this book. I loved the premise, but it was frankly boring. Knowing how busy we all are, I couldn't make time for 10-15 minutes of catch up on this family. I didn't care. I love a book that makes you want to read, curled up on the couch, to the point you forget to make dinner. This is not it. "

" I liked this book. It would work well for book group discussions. "

" I liked it, not sure I will remember it in a few years. Interesting story. "

" Moves along at a nice pace. Theo and Josh were a bit too witty, but still likeable. How come we never really learned anything about Claire? "

" Though a bit slow at start, the family pulled me along in the end. I found much to identify with in this story of relationships. One of the four principles will touch any reader. "

" Great. Very moving especially right before Mother's Day. "

" I don't know why I kept reading the book. It was a frustrating book. The characters were all so selfish, and the author shared the narrator's voice with all of them. It is rare that an author can achieve a variety of narrator's voices. "

" I simply don't want to read about homosexual relationships. "

" Great book. Love this author. You don't need a book report. Just go read it. "

" Really enjoyed this! Meaty writing that makes you want to take your time instead of rushing to the end. "

" This turned out to be a pretty good rad. I had to get past page 55 or so before I really began to like and care about the characters. The author appears to be quite young; I'm impressed that she has enough emotional maturity to have written this story. "

" interesting story set in Cincinatti-a town I knew nothing about yet had just been through it twice before listening to the book. foul language albeit sparse was unnecessary and detracted from the goings on! alternative lifestyle also unnecessary. "

" The History of Us is a fast, engaging read with well-drawn, interesting characters, contemporary story lines and a hopeful, open-ended conclusion. "

" Interesting read, fast read, about family. I would recomend as a quick read. "

" Well written story that explores a number of interesting and topical themes, e.g., twenty-somethings who never leave home, grappling with one's sexuality and life choices in middle-age, pursuing career vs. raising kids, and self-sacrifice vs. self-indulgence. "

" I like a book that once I start reading I can't put it down This book just didn't have that interest. There were several story lines and I kept waiting for them to come together. The end just let me down. "