Reviews
HEART OF THE MATTER is a messy, complicated, often uncomfortable portrait of a marriage--and two families--in crisis. But it has everything readers love about Emily Giffin's books: the heart, the empathy, the truth., With realistic dialogue and a sharp depiction of relationships, Giffin crafts an emotional, effortless read., Even as you steel yourself for [the book's pivotal moment], it's hard to read when it happens, which is what sets this book a step above so many others...[Giffin] creates characters in Tessa, Valerie and Nick who are believable and mostly well-intentioned even as they make obviously bad choices., As HEART OF THE MATTER takes its time documenting the inexorable slide toward an affair, the slow-moving sequence of events rings true., Questions of infidelity fill this book, which follows the life of pediatric surgeon Nick Russo through the eyes of Tessa, his wife, and Valerie, the mother of one of his patients, whom he is tempted to have an affair with. Transforming the women into more and more sympathetic characters with each turn, HEART OF THE MATTER is an emotional tale of temptation, redemption and letting love lead the way., In HEART OF THE MATTER, [Giffin] again uses her great wit and gift of storytelling to weave a tale that's nuanced, empathetic and, at times, heartbreaking. Matters of the heart are always complicated, and Giffin deftly shows you why., Giffin punctures suburban trophy mothers and private school privilege, rising above the often-shallow chick fray with a gimlet-eyed skepticism for the traps modern women fall into., "[A] modern-day Jane Austen."-- Vanity Fair "Giffin uses her great wit and gift of storytelling to weave a tale that's nuanced, empathetic and, at times, heartbreaking."-- Associated Press "Readers will be enthralled by this layered, absorbing novel."-- Booklist "starred review" "Giffin displays her trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions while telling a rip-roaring tale."-- Washington Post, There are no easy answers here, in a novel that is consistently engrossing right to the surprising finish., [A] brutally honest book in that it never falters in its depiction of hope and heartache. Emily Giffin is a talented writer who re-gifts her talent in the books she creates...With HEART OF THE MATTER she turns up the heat and gives us her best novel yet., "[A] modern-day Jane Austen."--Vanity Fair"Giffin uses her great wit and gift of storytelling to weave a tale that's nuanced, empathetic and, at times, heartbreaking."--Associated Press"Readers will be enthralled by this layered, absorbing novel."--Booklist "starred review""Giffin displays her trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions while telling a rip-roaring tale."--Washington Post, Though Emily Giffin has examined relationships in all of her novels, she reaches a new level of intensity with HEART OF THE MATTER. With characters who are older and wiser than those in her past books, she is able to examine the more serious topics that present themselves within long-term relationships and parenthood. Her characteristic flowing style of writing makes this book no different from her others: one you won't want to put down., Emily Giffin's newest novel is a little painful to read. OK, a lot painful to read. As a reader, you find yourself in the oddly painful position of rooting for two women who can't both get what they want. Your heart breaks for both of them [but] you'll know that feeling this kind of emotional torture with and about characters is a good thing. It's simply cathartic., Giffin's calling card has always been her ability to delve into the workings of relationships. But in her latest book the best-selling novelist probes deeper than ever... With intelligence, humor and piercing insight, Giffin shows that in matters of love, it is possible to be right and yet so wrong., Giffin's talent lies in making her characters believable and relatable, and readers will be enthralled by this layered, absorbing novel., With [an] adulterous path outlined, Giffin could easily take sides. But she doesn't. Instead, she alternates between Tessa's and Valerie's points of view, dissecting the feelings and insecurities that can dismantle even the most intelligent people... Amid all the angst, Giffin displays her trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions while telling a rip-roaring tale., Giffin's latest opens with one of the more haunting scenes in recent memory [and] towards the end things are so tense that the pages pop with each turn., Giffin beautifully shows how quickly need becomes love...[and her] chronicle of fluid, almost casual marital disconnect is a powerful cautionary tale., Unfolding from Tessa and Valerie's alternating viewpoints, [HEART OF THE MATTER] will draw you in with beautifully complex characters who come across as nuanced and as flawed as people in real life. Giffin avoids victimizing Tessa while allowing empathy for Valerie, underscoring that all of us are capable of making mistakes that hurt those we love most., In HEART OF THE MATTER, Giffin delivers her best book yet. Once again she plays with the idea of point of view, but this time she wraps it into a single, tightly written narrative that creates an addictive page-turning sense of tension. [W]hat makes this novel special are the emotional depths to which Giffin takes her readers [and] the question of what the aftermath can possibly look like for these two likable characters is what keeps readers glued to Giffin's engaging tale., Giffin's books are fast-moving, emotionally absorbing stories about female friendships, marriage and childbirth., Giffin's latest novel delves deep into the all-too-tricky matters of the heart...this juicy read will make you feel like you're sneaking a peek into your best friend's diary.
