Book Summary and Reviews of Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski

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Beth B. (New Wilmington, PA)

Is love ever ordinary?
Most importantly, I strongly urge you to read this book and encourage your fellow readers to do so. Marie Rutkoski has a gift for writing "take your breath away" prose as evidenced in her novel Ordinary Love. Her characters are so well fleshed out that you feel you know them, their best and worst selves. Nella is my favorite --- hers is a wisdom that is enviable.

The symbol of seeds runs throughout the book: :"seeds can live a long time." All readers, regardless of preconceived ideas, can learn much about compromising and confronting loss. The author's skill with understanding children, their thoughts and speech, are unparalleled.

JanineS

Intelligent and poignant love story
In spite of what the title says, this is not an “ordinary love” story. As one of the characters, Gen, says near the end, “nothing in life is ordinary.” This book is a love story of contrasts: Emily and Gen, high school sweethearts and Emily and Jack, the traditional man-woman love story. Each is fraught with problems, and each offers Emily choices as she grapples with discovering who she really is and what she wants out of life and love. In between these alternating stories, we see the impact of Emily’s love choices on her parents, her friends, and her children. As she grows and assumes responsibility for her decisions, we learn that she understands that in accepting a “second chance” at love, love can be ordinary in its truth but extraordinary in its honesty.

This is a beautifully written book. I was surprised how I was drawn to it as it was at times outside my comfort zone, but there was such a deep, searing honesty to it, I simply had to know the ending. It was a splendid read!

JanineS

Poignant and Intelligent love story
This is not an “ordinary” love story per se in spite of what the title says. But then as one character, Gen, says near the end of the novel “nothing is ordinary.” Tackling a love story with intelligence and depth, this book contrasts two loves: Emily for Gen, her first love from high school, and Emily and Jack, the traditional man-woman love story. Both are fraught with problems but both offer Emily a chance to be her “real” self: one who’s loved and appreciated for who she intrinsically is not who she is expected to be.

In between the alternating love stories, we get a glimpse into how Emily’s parents view her and her love choices, how her friends do as well, and the impact of ending her marriage to Jack on her children. All along the way Emily is faced with grappling as to who she really is and how her choices affect others. Deciding to embrace a “second chance,” Emily commits to a love that can be ordinary for its commitment to truth but extraordinary for its honesty.

This book is beautifully written and very poignant. I was surprised how I kept being drawn to it each time I set it down because I had to know how it ended.

Judith G. (Costa Mesa, CA)

Duplicity
I followed the characters throughout hoping for a resolution that was good for all. Perhaps the ending did but it took a long time to get there. Selfish, narcissistic personalities. Unresolved gender issues. Graphic erotica dropped in periodically. Time/era/period changes. Somewhat difficult to follow. Still, a compelling read to the end to find the final resolution.

Cheryl S. (Norwalk, CT)

Extraordinary Love
Two kinds of love present themselves in this novel: the deep, passionate, crazy love you find when you've met your soulmate. The other is the egotistical and manipulative kind disguised as love. I didn't like that the characters kept doing the same things, behaving the same way, and then being surprised that the behavior had occurred. Was a bit pedantic in places, but Gen & Emily's love was nice to witness. This will appeal to readers of pop fiction.

Barbara B. (Harlingen, TX)

Ordinary Love
Many readers will be offended by this story, others will have questions and some will be happy this tales is being told.


Emily and Gen knew each other in school, became best friends and lovers in high school. As is expected in college years they moved into different paths. Gen became an Olympic athlete. Emily married Jack. Years later Emily takes her 2 children and divorces. Also to be expected Gen comes back into Emily's life. Can they rekindle the past?

The author delicately shows the feelings of love and uncertainty in her characters. I am not sure Ordinary Love is an apt title for this book. Neither the love of Emily and Jack nor the love of Emily and Gen are ordinary..

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