IF ONLY I COULD TELL YOU by Hannah Beckerman
IF ONLY I COULD TELL YOU by Hannah Beckerman
I’ve rewritten this review several times and I’m sorry if my words seem disjointed (settled on a pro/con style review). I had a hard time with this one. This book was sad. Just downright, horribly sad. And maybe that’s just not the type of book for me, because I’ve seen some positive reviews for this one.
𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅:
multiple perspectives: this story alternates between Audrey (the mother), Lily (older sister), and Jess (younger sister) and centers around their complicated life, stemming from an incident that happened when Jess and Lily were children. Through these varying perspectives, the reader slowly uncovers why Jess is so angry at Lily and the role all three women played in causing the tension in their family.
short chapters
non-linear timeline: this story is told in 7 parts over a 9-month period in 2016, but throughout each part, the women take you back in time to various moments in their lives.
𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
I felt like Beckerman was trying to do ALL THE THINGS with this book, rather than focusing on doing one thing thoroughly. There was so much to unpack for every character (even minor ones). It was a lot to take on in 360 pages. And frankly, I didn’t appreciate that some sensitive topics were “teased” in this book to hook the reader to keep reading.
I didn’t feel a connection to a single character. Despite the staggering number of emotional topics and personal plights that were introduced, there was only one moment when I felt tears in my eyes.
The subplots. Some felt like they came out of nowhere!
Overall, I think this could be a good book for people who enjoy emotional family dramas. I think the prose was beautiful at times, and I can see an audience for this book. I just don’t think that audience is me.
CW/TW: *check out doesthedogdie.com for more details* terminal cancer diagnoses (breast and lung cancer and child with leukemia), miscarriage (graphic), suicide (graphic), 9/11 mention, fallen soldier (IED), adultery, estranged relationships.