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A Song in the Daylight
From USA Today bestselling author Paullina Simons comes a fascinating novel of love, betrayal, and the price of passion. Nothing is ever as it seems…
Larissa Stark is many things. Wife, mother, devoted friend, and unhappy. Her seemingly charmed life in a New Jersey suburb should leave her fulfilled and content. Instead, she feels increasingly isolated and empty. But when she has a chance encounter with an intriguing stranger, her idyllic existence is exposed for the sham it is and leads her to question everything she once firmly believed.
As Larissa is faced with one impossible choice after another, she begins to contemplate the unthinkable and struggles with the question that will inevitably change the course of her how does one woman follow a divided heart?
Spanning the affluent suburbs of New Jersey, the slums of Manila, and the desolate beauty of the Australian outback, A Song in the Daylight is an unforgettable, powerful story of the bonds that unite us—and the desires that can ultimately drive us apart.
Larissa Stark is many things. Wife, mother, devoted friend, and unhappy. Her seemingly charmed life in a New Jersey suburb should leave her fulfilled and content. Instead, she feels increasingly isolated and empty. But when she has a chance encounter with an intriguing stranger, her idyllic existence is exposed for the sham it is and leads her to question everything she once firmly believed.
As Larissa is faced with one impossible choice after another, she begins to contemplate the unthinkable and struggles with the question that will inevitably change the course of her how does one woman follow a divided heart?
Spanning the affluent suburbs of New Jersey, the slums of Manila, and the desolate beauty of the Australian outback, A Song in the Daylight is an unforgettable, powerful story of the bonds that unite us—and the desires that can ultimately drive us apart.
766 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
88 people are currently reading
1710 people want to read
About the author
Paullina Simons
48 books5,382 followersPaullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.
She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists.
Apart from her novels, Paullina has also written a cookbook, Tatiana's Table, which is a collection of recipes, short stories and recollections from her best selling trilogy of novels, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross, (also known as Tatiana and Alexander) and The Summer Garden.
After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.
She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists.
Apart from her novels, Paullina has also written a cookbook, Tatiana's Table, which is a collection of recipes, short stories and recollections from her best selling trilogy of novels, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross, (also known as Tatiana and Alexander) and The Summer Garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
October 9, 2018
Paullina Simons can’t do any wrong in my eyes, this book is no exception. Warning: this book is like crack.
It's been a long time since I completely devoured a book like I did with "A Song in the Daylight." This has to have been the fastest 767 pages of my life. It didn't even feel like it. When I sat down with this everything else ceased to exist in my world. It put a spell over me. You might even say that this book took over my world. And when I wasn't obsessing over it, I was thinking about it. It surprised me how much this book compelled me. I think it's the best word I can use. Compelled.
You won't love this all the time, sometimes you will hate it and feel crazy frustrated and more than anything, super provoked, but the story won't leave you alone until you've finished. And it will sure as hell stay with you.
This book was very challenging to read in a frustrating way. But Simons' unpredictability in her books and her flawed characters is actually one of the bigger reasons she's my favorite author alive. They weren't meant for us to be put on a pedestal. And that can be said about all of her books. Her books, just like this one, often takes a turn we as a reader don't like. But they are exactly in the rame of the character. Her character's are so 'real' and deeply developed that even though you don't love or agree with everything that takes place, you owe it to the characters to stick to them and watch the events unfold. My point is, Simons' beautiful, engrossing and unique writing somehow makes you love even the stuff you hate.
"A Song In The Daylight" was just as madly frustrating and just as addictive as all of her books.. Paullina is a genius in writing her books "outside the box" and creating memorable and unforgettable stories which will make you FEEL everything as you know the characters.
I'm emotionally exhausted after reading this. But it was so worth it. This story will really stick with you. I could write a whole damn essay about the plot, the ethical dilemma, the rights and the wrongs, discuss it up and down, sideways and back ways- but this sentance obove sums up the whole book pretty good good.
I've been such a fool by letting the low ratings here on goodreads keep me away from this book for so long. It's definitely been the best read of this year (and life) for me. Maybe best isn't the best word but when this year is done, I know "Song In The Daylight" will be the book I remember. With mixed feelings. For better and for worse, I recommend this to everyone who's looking for a story that will actually give you something in return. But if you want a light romance, boy- meets girl, girl- meets boy and lives happily ever after, keep looking.
"A Song In The Daylight" is about life, choices and their consequences. This story will haunt me for a long time. But overall, I CRAZY LOVED it and I have yet to read a Paullina Simons book that has disappointed me! Not many books has had this impact over me.
It's been a long time since I completely devoured a book like I did with "A Song in the Daylight." This has to have been the fastest 767 pages of my life. It didn't even feel like it. When I sat down with this everything else ceased to exist in my world. It put a spell over me. You might even say that this book took over my world. And when I wasn't obsessing over it, I was thinking about it. It surprised me how much this book compelled me. I think it's the best word I can use. Compelled.
You won't love this all the time, sometimes you will hate it and feel crazy frustrated and more than anything, super provoked, but the story won't leave you alone until you've finished. And it will sure as hell stay with you.
This book was very challenging to read in a frustrating way. But Simons' unpredictability in her books and her flawed characters is actually one of the bigger reasons she's my favorite author alive. They weren't meant for us to be put on a pedestal. And that can be said about all of her books. Her books, just like this one, often takes a turn we as a reader don't like. But they are exactly in the rame of the character. Her character's are so 'real' and deeply developed that even though you don't love or agree with everything that takes place, you owe it to the characters to stick to them and watch the events unfold. My point is, Simons' beautiful, engrossing and unique writing somehow makes you love even the stuff you hate.
"A Song In The Daylight" was just as madly frustrating and just as addictive as all of her books.. Paullina is a genius in writing her books "outside the box" and creating memorable and unforgettable stories which will make you FEEL everything as you know the characters.
I'm emotionally exhausted after reading this. But it was so worth it. This story will really stick with you. I could write a whole damn essay about the plot, the ethical dilemma, the rights and the wrongs, discuss it up and down, sideways and back ways- but this sentance obove sums up the whole book pretty good good.
I've been such a fool by letting the low ratings here on goodreads keep me away from this book for so long. It's definitely been the best read of this year (and life) for me. Maybe best isn't the best word but when this year is done, I know "Song In The Daylight" will be the book I remember. With mixed feelings. For better and for worse, I recommend this to everyone who's looking for a story that will actually give you something in return. But if you want a light romance, boy- meets girl, girl- meets boy and lives happily ever after, keep looking.
"A Song In The Daylight" is about life, choices and their consequences. This story will haunt me for a long time. But overall, I CRAZY LOVED it and I have yet to read a Paullina Simons book that has disappointed me! Not many books has had this impact over me.
August 24, 2010
Hated this book with a passion. Couldn't put it down as I just wanted to find out what happened next and hoped like mad that the main character would redeem herself (she didn't). What could drive Paullina Simons to write this, I have no idea. At the end, I nearly threw the book across the room. Will not lend to anyone as it is SO depressing and aggravating. One of the most selfish characters I have ever 'met'.
ARGHHHHH.........
ARGHHHHH.........
July 11, 2023
Sweet baby cheeses this was so frustratingly pointless.
Bored housewife Larissa embarks on a sordid affair that has shockingly unintended consequences. *eyeroll*
WHY did I pick this up?! (Because I loved Tully ok. It was great.)
Firstly, Larissa is the worst. Am I suppose to approve of an affair because I sympathise with a rich housewife that spends most of her life caring for her kids? Because I really didn't. Her life was definitely mundane, because I was incredibly bored reading about it. The kids have this activity and this activity and they complain and whine like all kids do and the husband works long hours to give them the life they have so Larissa has to do it all ... I skimmed so much because it's just 700+ pages of cliché. Unnecessarily long. There was really no need for this book to include as much pointless detail as it did.
Larissa embarks on an affair and becomes so embroiled in lies and deception that she completely ignores her family and friends, including her 'best friend' who is overseas writing increasingly imploring letters asking for help. I was so frustrated by how selfish Larissa was throughout the entire novel. I never once felt her actions were justified so I just became increasingly maddened reading about it all.
Even the husband's side of things, when it came, was dull and pitiful. I felt more sympathy for him than for her, definitely, but his complete lack of awareness about his kids seemed like such a parody. I kinda hated that he was written the way he was.
It's sliced up into chunks and I was ready to DNF when I hit Part 3. The turn it took kept me hanging on, though I still heavily skimmed. I wanted to follow the rough story and this was easy enough to do while skipping all the superfluous details. The payoff wasn't really worth it, though, as the ending did not justify the 700-odd pages we had to wade through first.
Happy to be done with this overlong mess of housewife fantasy.
If you're a woman who hates looking after her husband and kids, maybe you'll enjoy living vicariously through this. If you've entertained the notion of embarking on your own affair, maybe read this as a cautionary tale? (Also? Don't.)
Others may enjoy the sprawling tale of unhappiness but it was not for me at all. What a mess.
Bored housewife Larissa embarks on a sordid affair that has shockingly unintended consequences. *eyeroll*
WHY did I pick this up?! (Because I loved Tully ok. It was great.)
Firstly, Larissa is the worst. Am I suppose to approve of an affair because I sympathise with a rich housewife that spends most of her life caring for her kids? Because I really didn't. Her life was definitely mundane, because I was incredibly bored reading about it. The kids have this activity and this activity and they complain and whine like all kids do and the husband works long hours to give them the life they have so Larissa has to do it all ... I skimmed so much because it's just 700+ pages of cliché. Unnecessarily long. There was really no need for this book to include as much pointless detail as it did.
Larissa embarks on an affair and becomes so embroiled in lies and deception that she completely ignores her family and friends, including her 'best friend' who is overseas writing increasingly imploring letters asking for help. I was so frustrated by how selfish Larissa was throughout the entire novel. I never once felt her actions were justified so I just became increasingly maddened reading about it all.
Even the husband's side of things, when it came, was dull and pitiful. I felt more sympathy for him than for her, definitely, but his complete lack of awareness about his kids seemed like such a parody. I kinda hated that he was written the way he was.
It's sliced up into chunks and I was ready to DNF when I hit Part 3. The turn it took kept me hanging on, though I still heavily skimmed. I wanted to follow the rough story and this was easy enough to do while skipping all the superfluous details. The payoff wasn't really worth it, though, as the ending did not justify the 700-odd pages we had to wade through first.
Happy to be done with this overlong mess of housewife fantasy.
If you're a woman who hates looking after her husband and kids, maybe you'll enjoy living vicariously through this. If you've entertained the notion of embarking on your own affair, maybe read this as a cautionary tale? (Also? Don't.)
Others may enjoy the sprawling tale of unhappiness but it was not for me at all. What a mess.
November 3, 2011
Why, oh why did I let all the terrible reviews here on Goodreads sway me from buying this one sooner? Paullina Simon's does not put ONE foot wrong. I also admit i felt a bit intimidated by the size of the thing! But all I can say is, WOW. Like Paullina's other novels I have read (TBH, Tully, Eleven Hours) she has a remarkable ability to engage you so closely with all of the characters. Once I turned the last page, I almost collapsed from emotional exhaustion. I was so highly wrung with sadness and despair for Larissa, the main character, but also so happy for her husband Jared and best-friend Che. This story is so well written. Paullina has an amazing mind and I hope this isn't the last book we see from her. I can't wait for more! Oh and may I add Paullina sure knows how to write a sex scene! Some authors have the ability to make me cringe but Simons knows how to deliver it just right :)
June 23, 2011
Well, when I finished this book I was so angry. I had so much hope that she would return to her kids. How dumb can she be. She was so blinded I pity her so much. Surely she would have woken up when she got to the dump in Jindabyne and Kai began acting so wierd. After my anger subsided I was so sad that she was so blinded and never snapped out of it. Can a mother really leave her kids for that long and not look back, not send a note. How sad. However as sad as the book was and as annoying the ending, I applaud Paullina for writing so authentically and reflecting how life does turn out sometimes :(. If nothing else it, made me appreciate what I have so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2010
Ugh. What a terrible book. The plot is unoriginal, the book is about 300 pages too long, the characters unlikeable and a pathetic ending.
This is not the Paullina Simons of The Bronze Horseman; had this work been submitted by another author, I think it would have undergone severe editing rather than a rush print to meet the Christmas rush.
Larissa, the main character, is boring and can't make up her mind. She's a whiner, whingy who would just like someone to decide for her even though she cloaks herself in many, many (exceptionally boring) philosophical conversations. The only character I liked was the cuckolded husband, who actually learned something from the whole thing.
The author's knowledge of Australia is rather pathetic too- 'Western Territories'? Look at a map of Australia and you'll see Western Australia is a state, and no, camel is not the main form of transport. I wonder if she's actually been to Jindabyne?
And just wondering about the constant brand dropping (Jag, Escada etc)- any bonus in that?
Don't read this. It's a shocker.
This is not the Paullina Simons of The Bronze Horseman; had this work been submitted by another author, I think it would have undergone severe editing rather than a rush print to meet the Christmas rush.
Larissa, the main character, is boring and can't make up her mind. She's a whiner, whingy who would just like someone to decide for her even though she cloaks herself in many, many (exceptionally boring) philosophical conversations. The only character I liked was the cuckolded husband, who actually learned something from the whole thing.
The author's knowledge of Australia is rather pathetic too- 'Western Territories'? Look at a map of Australia and you'll see Western Australia is a state, and no, camel is not the main form of transport. I wonder if she's actually been to Jindabyne?
And just wondering about the constant brand dropping (Jag, Escada etc)- any bonus in that?
Don't read this. It's a shocker.
March 19, 2013
I consider myself an open minded person, so when I picked this book up I was ready to understand Larissa, to empathise with her. Because all humans have hidden desires, secret passions which can make us go crazy, lose direction, forget right or wrong. So I started this story full of good intentions, ready to follow Larissa and struggle with her until the end, whatever it had to be.
I won't spoil nothing for you, don't worry, you know that she leaves with her lover on the first chapter, so that being said, I thought it'd all be a matter of seeing HOW that happened. Right, all seemed good.
But the thing is that I HATED, really HATED this book. The further I read the further I wanted that the story didn't come out right for Larissa. I didn't like her. She was a spoiled, rich, bored, middle aged woman, conceited, shallow, whose only worries were when to have an appointment to have her nails done or how many Armani jackets had she bought that month or if she would have time enough between shopping and meeting her posh friends for lunch to lead an amateur theatre company. Oh, and by the way, is it normal that when you turn 40 your hubby gives you a Jaguar as a present? Because in this book it seemed like if buying a Jag was the most natural thing in the world to do. Oh come on, that's not real life, isn't it?
I would have never expected a novel like this by Paullina Simons, I read her Bronze Horseman trilogy and I loved it. This novel wasn't engaging, it wasn't convincing, the characters lacked force. Larissa, such a weak personality. Jared, the poor husband, so bland and unbelievably blind. Ezra, the smart friend, so full with himself and his existential questions, their conversations so unnatural. Che, the hippie friend living la vida loca in Mexico. Kai, the hot and mysterious guy, temptation with legs. Everything was so obvious and so cliched that I couldn't believe it.
I will only say that after they leave together, the story gets even worse. The end is not even rewarding, it feels so unreal that you don't care one way or the other, you just want it to finish. That detached and estranged was I from the story and from its characters.
Don't lose your time with this monstrous 800 hundred pages book, honestly, it's not worth it.
I won't spoil nothing for you, don't worry, you know that she leaves with her lover on the first chapter, so that being said, I thought it'd all be a matter of seeing HOW that happened. Right, all seemed good.
But the thing is that I HATED, really HATED this book. The further I read the further I wanted that the story didn't come out right for Larissa. I didn't like her. She was a spoiled, rich, bored, middle aged woman, conceited, shallow, whose only worries were when to have an appointment to have her nails done or how many Armani jackets had she bought that month or if she would have time enough between shopping and meeting her posh friends for lunch to lead an amateur theatre company. Oh, and by the way, is it normal that when you turn 40 your hubby gives you a Jaguar as a present? Because in this book it seemed like if buying a Jag was the most natural thing in the world to do. Oh come on, that's not real life, isn't it?
I would have never expected a novel like this by Paullina Simons, I read her Bronze Horseman trilogy and I loved it. This novel wasn't engaging, it wasn't convincing, the characters lacked force. Larissa, such a weak personality. Jared, the poor husband, so bland and unbelievably blind. Ezra, the smart friend, so full with himself and his existential questions, their conversations so unnatural. Che, the hippie friend living la vida loca in Mexico. Kai, the hot and mysterious guy, temptation with legs. Everything was so obvious and so cliched that I couldn't believe it.
I will only say that after they leave together, the story gets even worse. The end is not even rewarding, it feels so unreal that you don't care one way or the other, you just want it to finish. That detached and estranged was I from the story and from its characters.
Don't lose your time with this monstrous 800 hundred pages book, honestly, it's not worth it.
January 21, 2013
I am a fan of Paullina Simons' earlier books, so I thought this would at least be okay. However, I simply hated the main character, Larissa. There is always going to be controversy in a character who leaves her husband and 3 children without so much as a note, but even if you took that away, she was so selfish in her friendships and I could see no redeeming qualities in her personality or the way she interacted with people. At several times during the book we were told by various characters what a great person, wife and mother she had been, but this wasn't demonstrated in any of the action in the book. Show don't tell! The man she had an affair with came across as being sexual napalm to Larissa, but beyond the physical I didn't find that his character was developed enough in the book to make us understand why she would leave her whole life for him. The dialogue between Larissa and her friends, particularly Ezra, was unrealistic. The ability of her friend Che to recall whole conversations in her letters was ridiculous, and in fact the whole character of Che and the backstory of her and her boyfriend's exploits in the Philippines was laughable. I didn't actually like any of the supporting characters enough to feel a vested interest in what happened to them. As well as my dislike of the main character, it really was the lack of realism for me that made this book so bad, particularly how farcical it became towards the end. The book was way too long, and I wish I had stopped reading it halfway through, but I continued on because I wanted to know how it ended, and whether Simons' previous good writing would make an appearance. Alas, the ending made me laugh with its Days of Our Lives type over-dramatics, and good writing was nowhere to be found. Really disappointed.
September 11, 2011
Larissa is an involved mother of three, a devoted wife, living the upper-middle class, suburban-housewife life.
Everyone thinks she has the perfect life, and she doesn't feel that anything is missing. Until she meets Kai, an easy going, Hawaiian born, sushi eating, charming man half her age who makes her feel (more than that shopping is the greatest fulfilment in life).
After a long, covert, passionate affair she leaves her family without a backward glance and rides off on the back of Kai''s Ducati to Australia. After a brief 'honeymoon' period, money issues arise (the lack of), causing tension in the relationship. And it is ultimately all down hill from there.
After spending time in Manila, in an attempt to save money and visit her best friend (but ends up instead meeting her friend's abandoned daughter), Larissa returns to Kai to discover his new passion for trail riding, horses and his new pregnant girlfriend (I guess, once a cheater always a cheater).
So how does it end? Well in true star-crossed lover fashion they both die at the hands of their own unrestrained passion in the Australian bushland (or thats how I read it).
Wow! The master of ethical pickles in relationships serves up another in this novel. Simons walks the fine line between demonizing and sympathising her characters perfectly.
You will feel emotionally exhausted after reading all 767 pages of this story. Its not an easy read, but Simons doesn't make the prose too heavy as to alienate the reader, yet adds enough to keep you fully engaged. There are even comical moments when Larissa constantly, internally mentions the age difference between her and Kai, which made me giggle.
Larissa, Larissa, Larissa (head shake) - how conflicted I am about you. Yes I will admit that at one point I did want you to escape your suburban hell and those annoyingly pretentious friends. And yes (ashamedly) I even felt suspense and a little impressed by your deceptive techniques. But could a loving mother really leave her husband and children without any explanation? Or correspondence? Ever? Didn't you at least owe them some reason?
I know Jared, the husband, was often too caught up with work and has a slightly disturbing 1950s housewife, materialistic view of married women (as in 'why don't you go out and buy yourself something pretty, darling') . . . but ultimately he was an honourable guy. An honourable guy that Larissa chose to marry. No one else made that choice. Did those vows you spoke on your wedding day mean nothing Larissa? Even if they were spoken most likely in a chapel in Vegas during the elopement (probably while Elvis oversaw proceedings).
I will grant Larissa that Kai was charming, patient, real and more exciting. And it did appear as if they had a deep, lasting connection . . . but come on, he was a 20 year old who asked her to sacrifice everything and showed his true (selfish) colours in his final moments. To be honest, warning signals should have gone off when he was telling her about his 'demon rides' and obvious willingness to pursue a married woman.
I did feel a little cheated by the somewhat contrived ending, but thinking about it, not much else acceptable could have really happened. How could she go back, after all that had happened?
It was fitting that the harsh, unforgiving Aussie Outback dealt with the unfaithful pair with harsh, unforgiving justice.
But it didn't particularly ring true and needed more editing for actuality and smoothness.
I mean, if you had just caused your lover to be bitten by a poisonous snake, after pushing him off a horse, wouldn't you do all you could to get the anti-venom from the saddle bags? I don't care how cut your leg is, or that he's just told you he's leaving you, you limp over to the horse!! You don't just sit there and watch the guy (who was apparently your 'soul-mate' five minutes before) agonisingly die!
Meanwhile back in the US Jared, after going through the obvious trying period of thinking his wife is missing, then discovering her 18month affair, seems to be more concerned about losing his wife/cook/nanny/cleaner/mother of the children than the woman he loves. He seems to miss all the things she did, but not exactly her. The fact that he later goes on to marry the hired, live-in, Slovakian, house-keeper/nanny, seems to confirm his misogynist view of wives.
The kids appear on the surface to go on as normal (more concerned with sports, recitals and socialising) but there are underlying signs that they will be eternally damaged for what their mother has done (how could they not?).
I liked the inclusion of the best friend Che and her daughter Nalini (she's so adorable!) who I were connected to and I'm glad that they had a happy ending.
The depiction of Australia and the people was good and rang true (despite appearing as a haven for selfish adulterers). I liked the inclusions of country towns, the vastness of the country, Perisher and Thredbo. But on a pedantic note (as a horse lover) the breed of wild horse is spelt 'brumby' not 'brumbie'.
Needless to say this novel isn't on the same level as TBH (what else possibly could be?) and I most likely won't read it again. But as usual Simons writes brilliantly, with exquisite prose like:
'even a broken clock is right twice a day.'
'you know what it is, this suffering preceding death? Life.'
There are some wordy passages that are just a little hard to patiently read, when you want to get to the action and suspense. But she is truly a master at character development and depth.
In my opinion, the novel's take home message about marriage and relationships can be found in this sentence 'a vacation is over in 7 days. But a Jag you have forever.'
Everyone thinks she has the perfect life, and she doesn't feel that anything is missing. Until she meets Kai, an easy going, Hawaiian born, sushi eating, charming man half her age who makes her feel (more than that shopping is the greatest fulfilment in life).
After a long, covert, passionate affair she leaves her family without a backward glance and rides off on the back of Kai''s Ducati to Australia. After a brief 'honeymoon' period, money issues arise (the lack of), causing tension in the relationship. And it is ultimately all down hill from there.
After spending time in Manila, in an attempt to save money and visit her best friend (but ends up instead meeting her friend's abandoned daughter), Larissa returns to Kai to discover his new passion for trail riding, horses and his new pregnant girlfriend (I guess, once a cheater always a cheater).
So how does it end? Well in true star-crossed lover fashion they both die at the hands of their own unrestrained passion in the Australian bushland (or thats how I read it).
Wow! The master of ethical pickles in relationships serves up another in this novel. Simons walks the fine line between demonizing and sympathising her characters perfectly.
You will feel emotionally exhausted after reading all 767 pages of this story. Its not an easy read, but Simons doesn't make the prose too heavy as to alienate the reader, yet adds enough to keep you fully engaged. There are even comical moments when Larissa constantly, internally mentions the age difference between her and Kai, which made me giggle.
Larissa, Larissa, Larissa (head shake) - how conflicted I am about you. Yes I will admit that at one point I did want you to escape your suburban hell and those annoyingly pretentious friends. And yes (ashamedly) I even felt suspense and a little impressed by your deceptive techniques. But could a loving mother really leave her husband and children without any explanation? Or correspondence? Ever? Didn't you at least owe them some reason?
I know Jared, the husband, was often too caught up with work and has a slightly disturbing 1950s housewife, materialistic view of married women (as in 'why don't you go out and buy yourself something pretty, darling') . . . but ultimately he was an honourable guy. An honourable guy that Larissa chose to marry. No one else made that choice. Did those vows you spoke on your wedding day mean nothing Larissa? Even if they were spoken most likely in a chapel in Vegas during the elopement (probably while Elvis oversaw proceedings).
I will grant Larissa that Kai was charming, patient, real and more exciting. And it did appear as if they had a deep, lasting connection . . . but come on, he was a 20 year old who asked her to sacrifice everything and showed his true (selfish) colours in his final moments. To be honest, warning signals should have gone off when he was telling her about his 'demon rides' and obvious willingness to pursue a married woman.
I did feel a little cheated by the somewhat contrived ending, but thinking about it, not much else acceptable could have really happened. How could she go back, after all that had happened?
It was fitting that the harsh, unforgiving Aussie Outback dealt with the unfaithful pair with harsh, unforgiving justice.
But it didn't particularly ring true and needed more editing for actuality and smoothness.
I mean, if you had just caused your lover to be bitten by a poisonous snake, after pushing him off a horse, wouldn't you do all you could to get the anti-venom from the saddle bags? I don't care how cut your leg is, or that he's just told you he's leaving you, you limp over to the horse!! You don't just sit there and watch the guy (who was apparently your 'soul-mate' five minutes before) agonisingly die!
Meanwhile back in the US Jared, after going through the obvious trying period of thinking his wife is missing, then discovering her 18month affair, seems to be more concerned about losing his wife/cook/nanny/cleaner/mother of the children than the woman he loves. He seems to miss all the things she did, but not exactly her. The fact that he later goes on to marry the hired, live-in, Slovakian, house-keeper/nanny, seems to confirm his misogynist view of wives.
The kids appear on the surface to go on as normal (more concerned with sports, recitals and socialising) but there are underlying signs that they will be eternally damaged for what their mother has done (how could they not?).
I liked the inclusion of the best friend Che and her daughter Nalini (she's so adorable!) who I were connected to and I'm glad that they had a happy ending.
The depiction of Australia and the people was good and rang true (despite appearing as a haven for selfish adulterers). I liked the inclusions of country towns, the vastness of the country, Perisher and Thredbo. But on a pedantic note (as a horse lover) the breed of wild horse is spelt 'brumby' not 'brumbie'.
Needless to say this novel isn't on the same level as TBH (what else possibly could be?) and I most likely won't read it again. But as usual Simons writes brilliantly, with exquisite prose like:
'even a broken clock is right twice a day.'
'you know what it is, this suffering preceding death? Life.'
There are some wordy passages that are just a little hard to patiently read, when you want to get to the action and suspense. But she is truly a master at character development and depth.
In my opinion, the novel's take home message about marriage and relationships can be found in this sentence 'a vacation is over in 7 days. But a Jag you have forever.'
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2009
I feel emotionally exhausted and quite melancholy after finishing this book. It was a brilliant tale, very well written with believable characters, but everyone suffered so very much and it was just so heartwrenching and that is difficult when you don't care for the characters. I felt a similar way about Tully. In fact Larissa in many ways goes through the same struggles that Tully did.
That said, it wasn't on the same level as The Bronze Horseman Trilogy or Red Leaves and Girl in Times Square. I adored Tatiana and Alexander and Spencer and Lily. They were real to me and I loved them so much. I can reread those books over and over and over again. I didn't feel the same way about this book.
That said, it wasn't on the same level as The Bronze Horseman Trilogy or Red Leaves and Girl in Times Square. I adored Tatiana and Alexander and Spencer and Lily. They were real to me and I loved them so much. I can reread those books over and over and over again. I didn't feel the same way about this book.
September 7, 2011
I am emotionally wrung out after finishing this one! I'm a great admirer of Paullina Simons - I think I've read all of her books. I especially love Tully. A song in the Daylight takes the reader on a similar angst ridden journey. It's hard to love the heroine - Larissa - who walks away from her husband and children to be with a young guy she believes is the love of her life - a man she simply cannot stand to be without. I think Ms Simons portrayed an accurate portrait of a besotted woman that sadly, most readers will dislike. Kai is almost unbelievable as the young man she falls for. Very intelligent, well read and seemingly in desperate love with Larissa - until - well I'm not going to spoil the end but it was not what I wanted to read for these two. But how could there be a happy ending when a woman walks out on her family to satisy her own selfish cravings? No matter how many pages of angst-ridden wailing we're given (and the book was too long for the content), we can't help but want to slap her and say - look what you're throwing away. So it was a brave novel to not really give us anyone to identify with - but maybe giving us an insight into what happens when chance encounters turn to affairs.
January 2, 2016
This is a strange book - featuring the most selfish ""heroine"" in the history of fiction. It's nearly 800 pages, and some of it is quite tedious, but I kept going to find out how it worked out - I couldn't bear for her to just be forgiven and live happily ever after. It's about Desperate Housewife Larissa, who has it all - hunky devoted husband, 3 spoilt children, big house, friends, money, doesn't have to work, spends an hour and 55 mins getting ready every day...and is a bit anxious about turning 40, so has an affair with a hunky 20 year old.
The writing is reasonable, but I wouldn't really recommend it unless you are a diehard fan of the author - and even then it's completely different to her other novels. The best bits are actually the other characters stories, and the ending was rather unsatisfying, and you end up feeling like it was all a bit of a waste.
The writing is reasonable, but I wouldn't really recommend it unless you are a diehard fan of the author - and even then it's completely different to her other novels. The best bits are actually the other characters stories, and the ending was rather unsatisfying, and you end up feeling like it was all a bit of a waste.
December 3, 2009
I was really disappointed with the last quarter of this book. The firs three quarters were brilliant. It has left me wondering if there is going to be a follow on book or did Paullina just have to finish this book in a hurry????
October 18, 2020
This is my first review. Something had to be said. Maybe it’s closure.
This year, I gave up TV to read more. I’ve always loved reading but as the years went by, I read less and less as TV took over. Well, for the first time in a very long time, I was on a roll, enjoying book after book, doing a Reading Challenge.
This book is responsible for RUINING my reading mojo. Seriously, I now can’t start a book without feeling completely detached and uninvested.
I hated A Song In The Daylight. Being a mother and wife, I could not imagine why she would just up and abandon her family. Larissa was so extremely selfish. An affair is one thing... but disappearing took her betrayal to another level. I kept reading though, hoping she’d realise Kai was not worth it...but she kept on being a complete fool the whole time. Even after she nearly sees redemption as an option, during her time in the Phillipines, she betrays more people!
As much as I had hoped she would at least return to her family and apologise for leaving them, she got what she deserved. The ending was still very unsatisfying though and I was just angry more than anything for picking up this book.
I treasured Paullina’s Bronze Horseman trilogy so that was my benchmark for a Paullina book. Dammit, I’ve met Paullina, gushed over her being amazing, she’s lovely. But.... The benchmark has been significantly lowered following this awful book.
This year, I gave up TV to read more. I’ve always loved reading but as the years went by, I read less and less as TV took over. Well, for the first time in a very long time, I was on a roll, enjoying book after book, doing a Reading Challenge.
This book is responsible for RUINING my reading mojo. Seriously, I now can’t start a book without feeling completely detached and uninvested.
I hated A Song In The Daylight. Being a mother and wife, I could not imagine why she would just up and abandon her family. Larissa was so extremely selfish. An affair is one thing... but disappearing took her betrayal to another level. I kept reading though, hoping she’d realise Kai was not worth it...but she kept on being a complete fool the whole time. Even after she nearly sees redemption as an option, during her time in the Phillipines, she betrays more people!
As much as I had hoped she would at least return to her family and apologise for leaving them, she got what she deserved. The ending was still very unsatisfying though and I was just angry more than anything for picking up this book.
I treasured Paullina’s Bronze Horseman trilogy so that was my benchmark for a Paullina book. Dammit, I’ve met Paullina, gushed over her being amazing, she’s lovely. But.... The benchmark has been significantly lowered following this awful book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2015
I haven't read anything from Paullina Simons for quite some time, but have always had her books on my wish-list. I recently had a book store voucher and went looking for another of Paullina's titles, but they did not have it in stock. I was hesitant to read this book due to the number of negative reviews, but after reading some of them, it seems the only issue was that readers had very strong opinions about the main character, Larissa. Now to me a sign of a good author is that she can make you feel passionately towards her characters, regardless of whether its love or hate.
I decided to make up my own mind and I'm extremely glad I did. Now I've got a LOT I want to say about this book, but I think as a reader you should discover the story on your own without reading spoilers. I had not read any major spoilers and enjoyed not knowing what the outcome of the story would be.
I like all the other readers, did not like Larissa...but I do recommend that you read her story. I finished Song in the Daylight a couple of days ago and it has been on my mind ever since, and I haven't been able to start a new book. I think that makes this book worthy of 5 stars.
I decided to make up my own mind and I'm extremely glad I did. Now I've got a LOT I want to say about this book, but I think as a reader you should discover the story on your own without reading spoilers. I had not read any major spoilers and enjoyed not knowing what the outcome of the story would be.
I like all the other readers, did not like Larissa...but I do recommend that you read her story. I finished Song in the Daylight a couple of days ago and it has been on my mind ever since, and I haven't been able to start a new book. I think that makes this book worthy of 5 stars.
May 14, 2023
3.5 What An Arsehole! Stars
I want to say, upfront, that Paullina Simons can do no wrong in my eyes...I've loved every book of hers that I've read and I kinda loved this one but...and it's a big but, never, or at least, not that I can readily remember, have I despised a romantic couple as much as I did Larissa Stark and Kai Passani. Two more selfish, morally bereft, short-sighted and just plain wicked individuals are yet to be written. Really? What was Simons thinking? I can see why people gave it single star ratings, not for the quality of Simons' work, that's as excellent as always, but for the fact that you want to hit someone ( I ended up shouting at my partner) while reading, it makes you so mad!
This is a story about choices and the consequences of living with them. Larissa Stark has it all, and gives it up, Kai Passani has nothing and takes everything. The outcome of their actions is the ruination of a family and I'm happy to say I'm danced a gig when they got their just desserts, couldn't have happened to a better couple....
This is a 3.5* star read; it was beautifully written, as Simons' stories always are, it had fantastically well developed characters, came at you from left field and, like the sinking of the Titanic, I assume, the slow, slow journey to the bottom was too riveting to look away from. It is certainly a book that will stay with me though for totally different reason than The Bronze Horseman.
I want to say, upfront, that Paullina Simons can do no wrong in my eyes...I've loved every book of hers that I've read and I kinda loved this one but...and it's a big but, never, or at least, not that I can readily remember, have I despised a romantic couple as much as I did Larissa Stark and Kai Passani. Two more selfish, morally bereft, short-sighted and just plain wicked individuals are yet to be written. Really? What was Simons thinking? I can see why people gave it single star ratings, not for the quality of Simons' work, that's as excellent as always, but for the fact that you want to hit someone ( I ended up shouting at my partner) while reading, it makes you so mad!
“I’ve noticed,” he said with a teasing air of forced formality, “one thing about women based upon years of careful observation…”Those words underpinned everything, 'his youth', I read those two words and frowned. If ever a scene set the parameters for disaster straight from the start, that chance meeting was it; you knew this tale was going to be a tragedy, you were just along for the ride, a spectator to the crash that was coming. How and when? You aren't sure; you just knew to hold on tight and wait it out.
“Years?” Larissa muttered, drawing attention to his youth. “Really.”
This is a story about choices and the consequences of living with them. Larissa Stark has it all, and gives it up, Kai Passani has nothing and takes everything. The outcome of their actions is the ruination of a family and I'm happy to say I'm danced a gig when they got their just desserts, couldn't have happened to a better couple....
This is a 3.5* star read; it was beautifully written, as Simons' stories always are, it had fantastically well developed characters, came at you from left field and, like the sinking of the Titanic, I assume, the slow, slow journey to the bottom was too riveting to look away from. It is certainly a book that will stay with me though for totally different reason than The Bronze Horseman.
April 9, 2012
I have to be honest and say that I couldn't read the whole thing. The fact that I skipped pages and don't really think that I missed anything that important is proof in itself that the book was unnecessarily long.....
I have read another novel by Paulina Simons, forget the name about the girl with cancer who wins the lottery and loved it but this was sadly disappointing.
A heroine must have a redeeming feature in my mind, and Larissa had none, even when she took the plunge and went after her own 'heart'. I almost went out of my mind when she opted to go to that loser Kai who so obviously didn't want her any more rather than going home to her kids.
As a mother I think what Larissa did, despite her unhappiness was beyond credible. Perhaps Simons went to this extreme as an extreme critique of the emptiness of the 'desperate housewives'society she lived in.
The ending really was completely hopeless and, like some other readers I was thoroughly PISSED with how Larissa ended up.
What a waste of a well-written book.
I have read another novel by Paulina Simons, forget the name about the girl with cancer who wins the lottery and loved it but this was sadly disappointing.
A heroine must have a redeeming feature in my mind, and Larissa had none, even when she took the plunge and went after her own 'heart'. I almost went out of my mind when she opted to go to that loser Kai who so obviously didn't want her any more rather than going home to her kids.
As a mother I think what Larissa did, despite her unhappiness was beyond credible. Perhaps Simons went to this extreme as an extreme critique of the emptiness of the 'desperate housewives'society she lived in.
The ending really was completely hopeless and, like some other readers I was thoroughly PISSED with how Larissa ended up.
What a waste of a well-written book.
August 9, 2011
As someone else mentioned, I also felt emotionally exhausted and quite melancholy after finishing the book, as well. Unlike a few of the other readers, I still think that this book was very well written and I like the fact that Simons dares to take the road where the character follows her own selfish desires and ends up facing the consequences. Not every story can have a perfect ending.
However, I think that Larissa was very delusioned in the ways of life and had perhaps, convinced herself that love conquers all, even at the expense of the pain of abandoning her children. Readers shouldn't take this book at face value, there's more depth to it than meets the eye, you just have to give it a chance.
If you're looking for a feel-good book then I would say to put this away and pick up her Bronze Horseman trilogy because those books are just absolutely gorgeous.
However, I think that Larissa was very delusioned in the ways of life and had perhaps, convinced herself that love conquers all, even at the expense of the pain of abandoning her children. Readers shouldn't take this book at face value, there's more depth to it than meets the eye, you just have to give it a chance.
If you're looking for a feel-good book then I would say to put this away and pick up her Bronze Horseman trilogy because those books are just absolutely gorgeous.
May 25, 2010
I loved Paullina Simons' Bronze Horseman trilogy but her writing really seems to have gone downhill since then.
This book is about Larissa, a self absorbed, selfish 40 year old married mother of three. She has a life that many people would give their eye teeth for but all she can see is what she doesn't have. Her narcissistic wallowing translates into a turgid story of lust, self delusion and pretentious philosophical musings.
At least the ending was good as the author finally gave the main characters what they deserved. It's just a shame it didn't happen 700 pages earlier.
This book is about Larissa, a self absorbed, selfish 40 year old married mother of three. She has a life that many people would give their eye teeth for but all she can see is what she doesn't have. Her narcissistic wallowing translates into a turgid story of lust, self delusion and pretentious philosophical musings.
At least the ending was good as the author finally gave the main characters what they deserved. It's just a shame it didn't happen 700 pages earlier.
October 24, 2015
I really enjoyed this book but as usual the reviews elsewhere reflect a controversial story. I've come to realise that if you don't give readers a HEA then you leave yourself open to negative reviews.
Larissa isn't a typical heroine, she's most certainly selfish and at times very stupid. But so what? People live their lives like this all the time. I love Paullina's writing. The depth that she creates in her characters is like no one else. For me this is as good as Tully. You don't have to fall in love with your main characters to enjoy the story.
Larissa isn't a typical heroine, she's most certainly selfish and at times very stupid. But so what? People live their lives like this all the time. I love Paullina's writing. The depth that she creates in her characters is like no one else. For me this is as good as Tully. You don't have to fall in love with your main characters to enjoy the story.
January 5, 2010
A big book but fairly easy to get through. Very emotionally draining, similar to Tully in that sense, and also shared similar themes. I found the main character Larissa very self-absorbed and irritating. The ending is somewhat abrupt, depressing and unfulfilling, although I must say unpredictable. Would definitely not bother reading again.
January 28, 2015
Nada es lo que parece, ni siquiera este libro. Es una novela agridulce, no digo que no esperéis una historia bonita, porque es preciosa, tampoco digo que no esperéis una historia triste, porque es una historia realmente triste. Una novela muy completa, tiene amor, pasión, drama, misterio, traición, suspense… Un libro muy completo, tanto para lo bueno como para lo malo. Esto es lo que yo llamo una gran novela. Paullina convierte todo lo que toca en oro, estoy convencida.
Y no es que el tema sea mi favorito, que Larissa es una mujer casada y él su amante, pero ella consigue que lo sea. No es que la protagonista sea un dechado de virtudes, pero se convierte en una heroína de nuestro tiempo, con sus defectos y sus cualidades, sobre todo con sus defectos, y su incapacidad para ver lo evidente y darse cuenta de sus fallos hasta que es demasiado tarde. No es que la situación sea muy bonita, ella con la vida hecha y él esperando, en soledad y con un gran vacío, el mismo vacío que siente ella al alejarse de él. No es que haya mucha acción, pero la descripción de sentimientos y escenas amorosas son increíbles, la monotonía de sus días, las horas cortísimas que pasa con él, la ilusión y la desesperación por agarrarse a él y no separarse nunca más, la incapacidad para volver a su vida real, con la mente y su corazón en otro lugar, mientras que sus amigos la miran como si dijeran: “Estás diferente, más hermosa, más joven, más viva, ¿pero dónde estás?”. Es uno de esos amores imposibles por los que siempre suspiramos, me recuerda mucho a “El jinete de bronce”, con ese “algo” que los separa y que, sin embargo, luchan contra ese destino o tratan de estar juntos a pesar de él.
El libro está compuesto por dos partes muy diferenciadas; antes y después de la desaparición de Larissa. La primera parte es la historia de amor perfecta, o casi perfecta. Ella ya está casada, tiene tres hijos y la vida hecha, cuando un día, se encuentra con Kai. Él es 20 años menor, viene de Hawaii en busca de nuevos lugares donde vivir, donde empezar de cero y para viajar y conocer mundo. Desde el momento en que se conocen, saltan chispas. Al principio, pequeñas conversaciones cada vez que se encuentran, frases que dicen poco pero que dejan entrever mucho, pensamientos y sentimientos de nuestra protagonista que nos invita a pensar que la historia entre ellos ya ha comenzado. Él se convierte en su amante, y se encuentran siempre en el piso de él, siempre de día, cuando la casa está vacía y su familia ocupada en el trabajo o el colegio. Una relación a la luz del día, él es su canción, ella es la canción de él. Él la espera y ella busca cualquier momento para reencontrarse con él. Es el amor que les consume, y el amor que les une pero que al mismo tiempo les separa, la época de juventud, felicidad, obsesión, deseos y sueños.
Después están las consecuencias de todo eso: la familia y sus consecuencias, el amor y sus consecuencias, la vida y sus consecuencias. En el momento de la decisión, Larissa, está harta de todo, su anterior vida se ha convertido en un una situación claustrofóbica, lo que antes era su descanso y su paz, ahora la ahoga y se siente impedida para ser feliz, para lograr sus deseos, sus pasiones, su amor. Su alma se encuentra dividida entre lo que una vez tuvo y amó y lo que tiene ahora y ama, que es Kai y todo lo demás. Siente remordimientos por Kai, sabe que él sufre y que no aguantará mucho más, y siente remordimientos por su familia, pero ella no puede vivir sin él.
No sé qué tiene la Paullina para hechizarme de esa manera, su enfoque de las cosas es muy cercano y muy humano, no nos muestra lo que les ocurre a los personajes, sino lo que sienten. Es decir, sabemos que la vida de Larissa está vacía, pero nunca lo expone de esa manera, sólo dice lo que siente en cada momento, lo que siente hacia la rutina, lo que siente al tener esos pequeños instantes de placer, sus sueños rotos y su resignación, lo que siente al estar con su familia y sus amigos, y lo que siente al estar con Kai y esa misteriosa sensación de saber que está traicionando a alguien pero sin saber muy bien cómo, cuando no ha hecho nada inapropiado ni censurable. Más tarde empieza a tener la necesidad de mentir y no puede evitarlo, y cuando llega la traición, ya no hay vuelta atrás. Paullina nos lo muestra todo sin prisas, de manera muy gradual, muy poco a poco, sin precipitarse en los acontecimientos, preparándonos y dejando que nos metamos en la historia de lo real que resulta. Tanto en pensamientos como en sentimientos, Paullina lo borda. Sabe muy bien lo que quiere escribir y cómo lo quiere escribir. Es como si tuviera todo el tiempo del mundo y ella lo supiera. Es una autora de una gran calidad, que escribe libros redondos, fantásticos. Tiene un conocimiento de la mente y carácter humanos increíble, te sorprende pero al mismo tiempo lo sientes tan natural que no puedes menos que aceptar los hechos, por mucho que éstos se rebelen contra nuestras creencias o nuestros moldes de las cosas.
El lenguaje resulta muy natural, aunque lo cierto es que es cosa rara, pues utiliza muchos recursos estilísticos, sobre todo repeticiones de palabras y estructuras. Pero esas repeticiones resultan muy adecuadas, en el momento justo, siempre. Tiene un manera de expresarlo todo muy bonita, y un lenguaje precioso, casi poético, muy atrayente.
Una cosa a destacar es la melancolía y la tristeza de este libro. Porque es triste, no en el sentido de la muerte o la sordidez de los hechos, sino porque se muestran conflictos humanos a tutiplén, en cada instante, en cada elección, en cada lugar. Paullina consigue convertir momentos rutinarios en instantes únicos. De hecho, Larissa conoce a Kai en el párking del supermercado, y se encuentran de vez en cuando haciendo la compra con los carritos. Algo tan normal, tan asimilado e interiorizado como un supermercado para tener la imaginación de convertirlo en algo memorable.
Esta es la historia de una mujer que tiene su vida, su propia vida, completa, llena, plena… sólo falta una cosa en esa vida, y es ella misma, y su alma que nunca perteneció del todo a esa vida. No era consciente de eso hasta que conoció a Kai. No es que se le hubiera caído la venda de los ojos, sino que lo que tenía antes en su interior cambia drásticamente, lo que antes creía como sus principios más firmes se derrumban y su perspectiva de las cosas cambia totalmente. Por ello no duda en caer en la tentación, el pecado y la traición. Porque este es un libro de AMOR pero también de TRAICIÓN. Las dos caras de una misma moneda, siempre ligadas, siempre unidas. Es la historia de una mujer que jugó a perder y sí, lo perdió todo. Es la historia de una mujer que busca ser feliz y busca la plenitud, y aunque sabe que su existencia anterior lo fue todo en su vida, una vida soñada por muchos, ella no fue capaz de verlo, dio muchas cosas por sentadas y luego no dudó en apostar todo ello por otra persona, otra vida, otro camino a seguir. Pero los vaivenes del destino son traicioneros y escabrosos y muchas cosas han de pasar hasta darse cuenta de que no sólo no estaba mejor que antes, sino que ya no le queda nada.
El desarrollo de los personajes es brutal, sobre todo en el caso de Larissa, el libro ronda en torno a ella y sus circunstancias, sabemos en todo momento lo que piensa y siente, su perspectiva de las cosas y sus descubrimientos de los hechos, sus razones y sus impulsos, todo. Sus remordimientos y su dolor, su melancolía y frustración, su desesperación. Ese deseo de saber y, al mismo tiempo, de ignorar todo lo que ocurre a su alrededor. Es un personaje con más defectos que virtudes, egoísta y egocéntrico, pero con una capacidad para amar y para el sacrificio increíble, todo por lograr sus sueños, por lograr la felicidad, aún a costa de la de los demás. A primera vista puede que el lector sienta aversión y repulsión hacia la protagonista, por la manera como la describo, pero Paullina consigue que, con su personalidad tan magnética y atrayente, sus fallos tan humanos y cercanos, no podamos menos que acercarnos a ella, sentirla más próxima, y si no lo hacemos con empatía y aprobación, sí con comprensión y compasión. Puede que nunca aprobemos sus acciones, pero sí que comprendemos por qué actúa así. Es la historia de una mujer que jugó a perder y de todas las consecuencias que derivaron de esa decisión.
Me doy cuenta de que, por la manera en que lo estoy contando, este libro asusta, no es una novela fácil de digerir, no es un libro sencillo y mucho menos típico de la novela romántica. Sin embargo, es un libro de los grandes, de una autora de las grandes, y siempre tendrá un lugar de honor en mi estantería.
Y no es que el tema sea mi favorito, que Larissa es una mujer casada y él su amante, pero ella consigue que lo sea. No es que la protagonista sea un dechado de virtudes, pero se convierte en una heroína de nuestro tiempo, con sus defectos y sus cualidades, sobre todo con sus defectos, y su incapacidad para ver lo evidente y darse cuenta de sus fallos hasta que es demasiado tarde. No es que la situación sea muy bonita, ella con la vida hecha y él esperando, en soledad y con un gran vacío, el mismo vacío que siente ella al alejarse de él. No es que haya mucha acción, pero la descripción de sentimientos y escenas amorosas son increíbles, la monotonía de sus días, las horas cortísimas que pasa con él, la ilusión y la desesperación por agarrarse a él y no separarse nunca más, la incapacidad para volver a su vida real, con la mente y su corazón en otro lugar, mientras que sus amigos la miran como si dijeran: “Estás diferente, más hermosa, más joven, más viva, ¿pero dónde estás?”. Es uno de esos amores imposibles por los que siempre suspiramos, me recuerda mucho a “El jinete de bronce”, con ese “algo” que los separa y que, sin embargo, luchan contra ese destino o tratan de estar juntos a pesar de él.
El libro está compuesto por dos partes muy diferenciadas; antes y después de la desaparición de Larissa. La primera parte es la historia de amor perfecta, o casi perfecta. Ella ya está casada, tiene tres hijos y la vida hecha, cuando un día, se encuentra con Kai. Él es 20 años menor, viene de Hawaii en busca de nuevos lugares donde vivir, donde empezar de cero y para viajar y conocer mundo. Desde el momento en que se conocen, saltan chispas. Al principio, pequeñas conversaciones cada vez que se encuentran, frases que dicen poco pero que dejan entrever mucho, pensamientos y sentimientos de nuestra protagonista que nos invita a pensar que la historia entre ellos ya ha comenzado. Él se convierte en su amante, y se encuentran siempre en el piso de él, siempre de día, cuando la casa está vacía y su familia ocupada en el trabajo o el colegio. Una relación a la luz del día, él es su canción, ella es la canción de él. Él la espera y ella busca cualquier momento para reencontrarse con él. Es el amor que les consume, y el amor que les une pero que al mismo tiempo les separa, la época de juventud, felicidad, obsesión, deseos y sueños.
Después están las consecuencias de todo eso: la familia y sus consecuencias, el amor y sus consecuencias, la vida y sus consecuencias. En el momento de la decisión, Larissa, está harta de todo, su anterior vida se ha convertido en un una situación claustrofóbica, lo que antes era su descanso y su paz, ahora la ahoga y se siente impedida para ser feliz, para lograr sus deseos, sus pasiones, su amor. Su alma se encuentra dividida entre lo que una vez tuvo y amó y lo que tiene ahora y ama, que es Kai y todo lo demás. Siente remordimientos por Kai, sabe que él sufre y que no aguantará mucho más, y siente remordimientos por su familia, pero ella no puede vivir sin él.
No sé qué tiene la Paullina para hechizarme de esa manera, su enfoque de las cosas es muy cercano y muy humano, no nos muestra lo que les ocurre a los personajes, sino lo que sienten. Es decir, sabemos que la vida de Larissa está vacía, pero nunca lo expone de esa manera, sólo dice lo que siente en cada momento, lo que siente hacia la rutina, lo que siente al tener esos pequeños instantes de placer, sus sueños rotos y su resignación, lo que siente al estar con su familia y sus amigos, y lo que siente al estar con Kai y esa misteriosa sensación de saber que está traicionando a alguien pero sin saber muy bien cómo, cuando no ha hecho nada inapropiado ni censurable. Más tarde empieza a tener la necesidad de mentir y no puede evitarlo, y cuando llega la traición, ya no hay vuelta atrás. Paullina nos lo muestra todo sin prisas, de manera muy gradual, muy poco a poco, sin precipitarse en los acontecimientos, preparándonos y dejando que nos metamos en la historia de lo real que resulta. Tanto en pensamientos como en sentimientos, Paullina lo borda. Sabe muy bien lo que quiere escribir y cómo lo quiere escribir. Es como si tuviera todo el tiempo del mundo y ella lo supiera. Es una autora de una gran calidad, que escribe libros redondos, fantásticos. Tiene un conocimiento de la mente y carácter humanos increíble, te sorprende pero al mismo tiempo lo sientes tan natural que no puedes menos que aceptar los hechos, por mucho que éstos se rebelen contra nuestras creencias o nuestros moldes de las cosas.
El lenguaje resulta muy natural, aunque lo cierto es que es cosa rara, pues utiliza muchos recursos estilísticos, sobre todo repeticiones de palabras y estructuras. Pero esas repeticiones resultan muy adecuadas, en el momento justo, siempre. Tiene un manera de expresarlo todo muy bonita, y un lenguaje precioso, casi poético, muy atrayente.
Una cosa a destacar es la melancolía y la tristeza de este libro. Porque es triste, no en el sentido de la muerte o la sordidez de los hechos, sino porque se muestran conflictos humanos a tutiplén, en cada instante, en cada elección, en cada lugar. Paullina consigue convertir momentos rutinarios en instantes únicos. De hecho, Larissa conoce a Kai en el párking del supermercado, y se encuentran de vez en cuando haciendo la compra con los carritos. Algo tan normal, tan asimilado e interiorizado como un supermercado para tener la imaginación de convertirlo en algo memorable.
Esta es la historia de una mujer que tiene su vida, su propia vida, completa, llena, plena… sólo falta una cosa en esa vida, y es ella misma, y su alma que nunca perteneció del todo a esa vida. No era consciente de eso hasta que conoció a Kai. No es que se le hubiera caído la venda de los ojos, sino que lo que tenía antes en su interior cambia drásticamente, lo que antes creía como sus principios más firmes se derrumban y su perspectiva de las cosas cambia totalmente. Por ello no duda en caer en la tentación, el pecado y la traición. Porque este es un libro de AMOR pero también de TRAICIÓN. Las dos caras de una misma moneda, siempre ligadas, siempre unidas. Es la historia de una mujer que jugó a perder y sí, lo perdió todo. Es la historia de una mujer que busca ser feliz y busca la plenitud, y aunque sabe que su existencia anterior lo fue todo en su vida, una vida soñada por muchos, ella no fue capaz de verlo, dio muchas cosas por sentadas y luego no dudó en apostar todo ello por otra persona, otra vida, otro camino a seguir. Pero los vaivenes del destino son traicioneros y escabrosos y muchas cosas han de pasar hasta darse cuenta de que no sólo no estaba mejor que antes, sino que ya no le queda nada.
El desarrollo de los personajes es brutal, sobre todo en el caso de Larissa, el libro ronda en torno a ella y sus circunstancias, sabemos en todo momento lo que piensa y siente, su perspectiva de las cosas y sus descubrimientos de los hechos, sus razones y sus impulsos, todo. Sus remordimientos y su dolor, su melancolía y frustración, su desesperación. Ese deseo de saber y, al mismo tiempo, de ignorar todo lo que ocurre a su alrededor. Es un personaje con más defectos que virtudes, egoísta y egocéntrico, pero con una capacidad para amar y para el sacrificio increíble, todo por lograr sus sueños, por lograr la felicidad, aún a costa de la de los demás. A primera vista puede que el lector sienta aversión y repulsión hacia la protagonista, por la manera como la describo, pero Paullina consigue que, con su personalidad tan magnética y atrayente, sus fallos tan humanos y cercanos, no podamos menos que acercarnos a ella, sentirla más próxima, y si no lo hacemos con empatía y aprobación, sí con comprensión y compasión. Puede que nunca aprobemos sus acciones, pero sí que comprendemos por qué actúa así. Es la historia de una mujer que jugó a perder y de todas las consecuencias que derivaron de esa decisión.
Me doy cuenta de que, por la manera en que lo estoy contando, este libro asusta, no es una novela fácil de digerir, no es un libro sencillo y mucho menos típico de la novela romántica. Sin embargo, es un libro de los grandes, de una autora de las grandes, y siempre tendrá un lugar de honor en mi estantería.
November 17, 2021
Paullina Simons Gün Işığında Bir Şarkı 🎶
Uzun zamandır kitap yorumu yapmıyordum. Okuduğun kitabı da nasıl tanımlamasam, aşk mı? Macera mı? Yoksa dram mı?!.
Her temadan biraz vardı.. Sıradışı bir konusu ibret verici bir aşk ve tutku hikayesi...
Larissa Stark'ın görünüşte iyi bir yaşamı yakışıklı bir eşi birbirinden güzel çocukları, elit yaşamı vardı. Ama bir gün gizemli bir erkek ile karşılaşır.. İşte o karşılaşma onun hayattan tam olarak ne beklediğini iç dünyasını sorgulamasına sebep olur...Tüm yaşamını etkileyecek bir kararı almak hiç de kolay değildir. Çünkü bu hayatta aldığınız her kararın bir bedeli vardır..
Okuyan çoğu kişinin tasvip edeceği bir hayat değildi belki.. İbret verici bir hikaye okumak istiyorsanız tavsiye ederim.
Uzun zamandır kitap yorumu yapmıyordum. Okuduğun kitabı da nasıl tanımlamasam, aşk mı? Macera mı? Yoksa dram mı?!.
Her temadan biraz vardı.. Sıradışı bir konusu ibret verici bir aşk ve tutku hikayesi...
Larissa Stark'ın görünüşte iyi bir yaşamı yakışıklı bir eşi birbirinden güzel çocukları, elit yaşamı vardı. Ama bir gün gizemli bir erkek ile karşılaşır.. İşte o karşılaşma onun hayattan tam olarak ne beklediğini iç dünyasını sorgulamasına sebep olur...Tüm yaşamını etkileyecek bir kararı almak hiç de kolay değildir. Çünkü bu hayatta aldığınız her kararın bir bedeli vardır..
Okuyan çoğu kişinin tasvip edeceği bir hayat değildi belki.. İbret verici bir hikaye okumak istiyorsanız tavsiye ederim.
March 14, 2019
I honestly have to give this book a solid 4 stars for Paullina Simons beautiful writing. She absolutely knows how to write detailed and unforgettable characters. Larissa Stark was complex and tortured and I just felt like shaking her sometimes. Near the end, I was just ready for it to be over; however the ending was FAR from what I expected. A tragic story that made me examine my own life as a wife and mother.
November 20, 2019
This is not Paullina Simons best read by a long shot. Lead characters were very unlikeable (not to mention stupid and selfish), the whole story dragged out much longer than it needed to. The saving grace was the small sections about her friend Che, who is a much better person than Larissa.
August 3, 2020
A good long enjoyable read. Full of human feelings and emotions. It made me think about Larissa's decisions. Was she the hero? I ask in jest.
July 21, 2025
was a hard read. took a long time to get into it and it's not a small book
February 26, 2023
Every book from Paulina is so good.
March 13, 2015
A good friend sent me this book as a birthday gift and I approached it a little tentatively at first. The reason for that was the fact that I find Simons a somewhat inconsistent writer. I have read some books of hers that I loved and others that I hated, so I wondered where this one would fall. In the end I would rate it somewhere in the middle.
There were many things I liked about this book. Larissa was an interesting, if sometimes misguided and naive, character and, in the early part of the book, I found her inner struggle gripping reading. She lives a supposedly normal and happy life, but then a chance meeting turns her world upside-down. This book covers both the mundane and the amazing aspects of everyday life.
Her husband also comes across well. Sure he's a bit dim not to notice the problems emerging, but once the dam breaks he comes into his own and becomes a much more engaging character. I also felt the supporting cast were nicely fleshed out and 'real'. I never warmed to Kai; although, I can see why many would find him appealing. Unfortunately, unlike Larissa, I saw him coming a mile away.
However, the reason this only got three stars and not four is that, for me, it lacked the spark of some of Simons best work such as The Bronze Horseman. The story was fine, but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. I also found the ending a tad abrupt and unsatisfactory - it felt distinctly like Simons was preaching right and wrong by then.
Still, this was a pleasant read and it is a book that will keep current Simons fans happy as well as appealing to anyone who likes contemporary family drama.
There were many things I liked about this book. Larissa was an interesting, if sometimes misguided and naive, character and, in the early part of the book, I found her inner struggle gripping reading. She lives a supposedly normal and happy life, but then a chance meeting turns her world upside-down. This book covers both the mundane and the amazing aspects of everyday life.
Her husband also comes across well. Sure he's a bit dim not to notice the problems emerging, but once the dam breaks he comes into his own and becomes a much more engaging character. I also felt the supporting cast were nicely fleshed out and 'real'. I never warmed to Kai; although, I can see why many would find him appealing. Unfortunately, unlike Larissa, I saw him coming a mile away.
However, the reason this only got three stars and not four is that, for me, it lacked the spark of some of Simons best work such as The Bronze Horseman. The story was fine, but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. I also found the ending a tad abrupt and unsatisfactory - it felt distinctly like Simons was preaching right and wrong by then.
Still, this was a pleasant read and it is a book that will keep current Simons fans happy as well as appealing to anyone who likes contemporary family drama.
May 13, 2014
I love Paullina Simmons. Tully, Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, Tatiana and Alexander...I devoured them all. And for the first three quarters of this book, it was the same. I couldn't put it down...and then I got to the final act. And learned that the main character, Larissa, was not, and had never been, the person she was portrayed as. I'd had sympathy with her, I'd been on her side despite her obvious flaws, I could see her struggle - till I discovered that almost everything I knew about her character, including said struggle - was wrong. And Kai, the man she meets who throws her world into chaos - he just did a complete 180 and became a different person. There are very few fictional characters I despise more then these two...
If we'd been shown Larissa's true character and Kai's fickle nature earlier, I might feel differently but instead I feel duped by Simons. I spent 600 pages plus believing certain things to be true and then at the final hurdle - actually know, these characters aren't who you think they are, they never were, the end. I very rarely feel like I've wasted my time on a book. I wasted my time with this one.
If we'd been shown Larissa's true character and Kai's fickle nature earlier, I might feel differently but instead I feel duped by Simons. I spent 600 pages plus believing certain things to be true and then at the final hurdle - actually know, these characters aren't who you think they are, they never were, the end. I very rarely feel like I've wasted my time on a book. I wasted my time with this one.
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