The Good House in Around the World in 80 Books

Jan 18, 2013 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: lib-has-audio, library-request, contemporary, library, a-lucky-one

3.5 stars. I think I was expecting more from this book, otherwise I may have given it an extra star. The tension built and built, and then it took a turn that added another layer of tension...and then it just kind of crumpled there at the end. So much anticipation! I just expected more depth from the characters and from the ending.

Loved the humor at the beginning, but the humor turned dark and then it ducked into the overkill zone. I really feel I got a good glimpse into the mind of an alcoholic ...more

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Oct 02, 2020 Colleen Chi-Girl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: us-no-amer, feminism, audiobooks, women-centered, 2020, champagne-wine

This is an incomplete review which I’ll finish tomorrow. was a bright, funny, and poignant novel about xxx the main character. She is a 60 year old successful real estate broker who is an in denial alcoholic. The writing is sharp and witty, and it makes you either love or pity (or both) dear T.

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Dec 21, 2018 Alisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this novel. Mary Beth Hurt breathes so much life into the character of Hildy, the narrator. Hildy is a tough New England broad, a self-made businesswoman (one of the most successful real estate agents in the region, as she likes to remind us), a mother, grandmother, and an alcoholic in denial. She still harbors a secret crush on Frankie, a former teenage flame who is now the town's jack of all trades, doing everything from collecting garbage ...more

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Apr 30, 2019 Sera rated it really liked it

Shelves: literary-fiction, audio, library

Very solid book on audio. Hildie Good is an older, real estate agent in the posh Boston suburbs, who also has a little bit of a problem with alcohol. I know that it sounds like the story is all about whether Good is a reliable narrator, which it is to some extent. There's more to the story, which had some laugh out moments for me, as well as some cringe inducing ones. Overall, I found the book to be entertaining. There's nothing epic here but the story provides a nice break for readers who are u ...more

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Aug 13, 2022 Daisy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: house, autism, audio-library-books, massachusetts

Olive Kittridge-y but different.

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Apr 18, 2013 Kay Green rated it really liked it

Shelves: set-in-boston

I loved this book. Wonderful characters and setting. The North Shore town of Wendover was so familiar - was is Wenham? Andover? Manchester by the Sea? There was a lot of humor, an interesting story and lots of likeable characters. I was not expecting the intensity of the alcoholism story line, but then found out that Anne Leary herself is a recovering alcoholic and this was based on her own experiences. I really recommend this book.

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