The Comfort of Lies

Overall, what do you think of The Comfort of Lies?

I found this book to be very much a "chick lit" experience. To her credit, Meyers is a decent storyteller, and does a good job of exploring the motivations of what seemed to me intensely self-absorbed and generally unsympathetic characters. But the resolution is very predictable and quite preachy; the author seems determined to make sure we understand the importance of trust and truthfulness in relationships (not that it isn't important - she's just very transparent in pushing the principle), so in the end she loses a lot of the nuance that keeps the book interesting in the middle.

I liked it. It was very much in the "chick lit" category of reading, but probably in the mid-to-upper class of those types of books. I thought the author presented some pretty good real life dilemmas even though the results were mostly storybook/fictional ends to those situations. But, that's what you read for, right? You can have real life dilemmas and solutions on your own!

Just out of curiosity (since you've both used the phrase, and I think it means different things to different people), how do you personally define "chick lit"?

I enjoyed the book but I did feel frustrated with some of the characters. The adoptive mother's disconnect was really rather forced to me. And truthfully as the aunt of an adopted child I know how protective we were of him and didn't want his biological parents in his life until he chose them to be in his life. He however never chose that path.

AS an adoptive mother, I enjoyed the book. It certainly gave me a different look at the biological mother (who vaguely resembled my own son's bio). The obsession of Juliette was a bit much I thought, and Caroline's indifferences were a bit unsettling to me as an adoptive mother, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I started go get a little bored in the middle, but wanted to see how things played out.

I enjoyed the book but did find it a bit too wordy in the middle. The ending seemed too storybook. Definitely a chick book. Can not imagine a man sticking with it! Fun to read, but not a favorite.

I thought the premise had interesting possibilities but was turned off by the very black and white characterizations

Were there any characters you particularly related to?

I thought the basic idea had possibility but I found the characters to be trying. A lot of the story was lost on me because I was too annoyed all of the characters. All in all it was an okay read but I was disappointed as I thought it would be better.

I thought this was one of the worst books I've ever read. I felt I wasted my time on a book written by someone who doesn't have a very high opinion of women, but considers them whiny and needy. The characters were presented as overly selfish, and the whole cheating incident was overblown and tedious. A poor read.

I enjoyed the book and it kept my attention, but I didn't get that "wow" feeling when I was done that I get with the best books. Some books I can look back on and feel like I'm still in the setting of the book, but not this one. I guess I'm saying it didn't have a strong sense of place.

That's interesting--maybe because I'm located in Boston, I noticed a lot of references to local landmarks, etc. What aspects of the book did hold your attention particularly well? Any particular subplots you were keen to keep following?

My definition of chick-lit: a book about women that my husband wouldn't like. My husband reads a lot, and he reads about women, but he wouldn't like this book. It's too predictable with not enough action. It basically deals with women's emotions and not much else.

mariannes, what did you think about the couple sections of the book where we get a glimpse into Nathan's thoughts and emotions? Did you think the author showed a believable portrait of a man's inner life?

I enjoyed the book and thought the author did a good job of developing the characters. I was able to get a "feel" for each one, although I did find Juliette's preoccupation with forcing the situation somewhat annoying. Although it wasn't a "page turner," I was anxious to see how the story would play out and how the author would resolve the issues. While I did find Caroline's willingness to make the biological parents a part of Savannah's life at an early age, I didn't find it out of keeping with Caroline's character. I think she was inclined to "over think" situations.

If I had to rate this book it would only be 2.5-3 stars out of 5. I found the characters of Caroline and Juliette to be more of caricatures rather than fully developed characters. Their responses seemed a bit over-the-top and contrived. The premise was definitely a good one, but it never seemed to gel (at least it didn't for me).

Overall, I am not impressed with this book. I didn't like the main characters, even at the end when the stories were resolved. Tia is immature, not because she gave up her daughter for adoption, but because she doesn't seem able to move forward with her life and relationships, with men or her coworker. Caroline is probably the least likable of the three women; to fantasize about the demise of her husband and child is disturbing (although I don't believe she is capable of harming them), and even though she apparently gets her way in the end, I am not sure her story is resolved. Juliette has a right to be hurt and angry at Nathan, but I can't figure out why she is so determined to have Savannah in their lives.

The basic idea of the book is interesting, but I had a hard time really connecting with this novel.

My least favorite parts of the book dealt with Nathan and Caroline. I thought Nathan was a jerk and his reasoning was ridiculous. It's the kind of reasoning I would expect from a twelve year old--It's okay because I want it. Caroline seemed hard-hearted to me. So she loved her job--lots of women do, but I couldn't understand why she didn't find joy in a little girl who loved her.

Not everyone is cut out to be a parent, Mariannes. Those who are not are better off remaining childless.

I enjoyed the book although I found it hard at times to like many of the characters. I especially liked having the story told through different narrators. I also related to the references to the Hudson Valley area--Rhinebeck, Bard College--since I am located not too far from them.

I thought the title was very fitting for the story. I am not a big reader of women's fiction (as I would consider this more women's fiction than chick lit) but the first paragraph grabbed me and pulled me into the world of the characters. I thought it was the characters that made this predictable storyline. I felt the last third of the book did not necessarily hold up the first half of the book and so there was not any unexpected twists at the end but maybe that is the point of the story - as often life situations play out as expected.

I thought the author did a good job with the physical and emotional geography of the Boston communities and showcasing the roles of class and status play in people's lives.

This is a great book for discussion in a book group. It's more interesting than the usual story of an adult child searching for its birth mother.

The conflicts and struggles of the three families draw you into this love story.

I thought it was really interesting and left readers with plenty to talk about... it wasn't a favorite, but for me it was very "readable." My best friend and others close to me have adopted, and I'm very interested in that topic.

Also, the romantic relationships and dynamics in this story were intriguing.