Seating Arrangements

So many characters with much written about the turmoil in their lives. It was like reading a soap opera. Then it ends. Some critics believe this author is brilliant, but I am glad I didn't pay full price.

The character development was way too extensive, to the point of being boring. NOT a page turner, more of a plodding plot.

I kept finding myself amazed that I was reading a book that from the out set seemed incredibly simple - New England wedding - so what? But it was so good. The wedding serves as a backdrop, and nothing more, to a fun, and ultimately kind of exciting, read. I wasn't ready for it to end.

After a promising start and premise, it got bogged down in too many characters that became confusing and their behavior got more and more outlandish. A shame....

This is one of those books you never want to end. Well written and a good story

The book is filled with detail and texture. However the author creates this whole hoopla like a mystery novel and in the end, she does not even mention who the killer was. Leaves you unexplained and feeling as though you wasted withal, the time you invested to get into the book

I have never read a book that made me as angry as this one did. I kept reading thinking surely something is going to happen. NOTHING did. There was so much back story, that the actual STORY never took place. Don't waste your time

I wanted to like the book, but in so many ways it fell flat. There were sections that went on forever and I got bored. I skipped over a lot of unnecessary dialogue that really never got to the heart of what the characters were about. The author tried to focus on too many characters which made it confusing and diluted the importance of everyone except Winn, who was truly a pathetic man.

I found myself changing back and forth as to whether I truly liked this book. Upon finishing it, I find that my feelings really followed along with the mood of the characters, not one but several of them. Ultimately, I really did like Seating Arrangements! As a parent with grown children, I could identify with all of the parents involved; out of control but still being required to solve the problems in these newly separate lives. I identified with Winn and his wife as well having the challenge of being married for so long and yet trying to be an individual. I think that the only thing I didn't connect with was Winn's desire to have some type of relationship with his daughter's friend. Maybe this is more of a male issue? I don't really know. One character that I did not connect with was Daphne, which bothered me as it was, after all, her wedding that was occurring. Toward the end I did resolve for myself that she was a sideline kind of character and that although it was her wedding, it was not her story. Her sister Livia was somewhat of a problem for me as well. Her aborted pregnancy and breakup with Teddy, even though important issues just seemed stuck in the middle with no real resolution. As far as resolutions are concerned, I was quite happy that Winn finally got his answer about joining the golf club. If it hadn't come soon I was about to do him bodily harm! This whole group doesn't seem to know if it belongs in the modern present or the pretentious past at times. I am glad that I read this book. I think that the insights into the 50+ generation are right on the mark and remarkable for an author of 28. It has always been possible for a writer to inhabit the skin of a character much different than themselves but is particularly well done in this book. That is what makes a good writer. I look forward to her next effort and congratulate her on this highly successful first! Kathryn E. Heinemann

Better than the typical summer read. Loved the character development, cutting descriptions. Can't wait for her next book.