My Rating - 3 out of 5 stars
Publisher - Simon & SchusterGenre - Fiction
Publishing year - 2022
Language - English
ISBN - 978-93-92099-71-7
Pages - 335
Book Review -
How to Fall Out of Love Madly is the second book written by Jana Casale. The story revolves around three women - Joy, Annie, and Celine - each grappling with dilemmas and compromises in pursuing love.
Joy and Annie, roommates and friends navigate the challenge of adult life when they decide to welcome their new roommate Theo into their home. Joy instantly falls in love with Theo, but the introduction of Celine, Theo's secretive girlfriend, sets in motion a series of events that unravel the lives of these characters.
The story portrays the complexities of relationships and the toll they can take on individuals. Joy's unwavering obsession with Theo and her descent into an emotional hellscape offers a poignant exploration of the lengths one might go to hold onto love.
Similarly, Celine's haunting past and self-sabotage highlight the lasting impact of trauma. Jana Casale adeptly captures the nuances of these women's experiences, revealing the underlying power dynamics and complexities that shape their lives.
While the characters were well-drawn and their struggles relatable, I yearned for more profound character development and a stronger connection to their journeys. All the female characters tussle with a persistent lack of self-esteem. While Joy, Annie, and Celine do experience moments of self-awareness and attempt to intimate change, in the end, the resolution feels incomplete.
Instead of fully owning their power, they often succumb to self-pity, and ignorance, hindering their personal growth. Although initially intriguing, Joy's infatuation with Theo began to feel repetitive and lacking in growth. Likewise, Annie's fixation on her commitment-phobic boyfriend and her textual analysis became tiresome after a while. I longed for layers to their personalities and greater introspection.
The novel's examination of women's relationships with each other and themselves was undoubtedly a strong suit. It delves into the question of why intelligent, compassionate, independent women tolerate mistreatment from the men they love, offering insights into the intricacies of power dynamics and the struggle for control.
Jana Casale's writing style is engaging, sprinkled with witty observations that occasionally elicit laughter and moments of resonance. However, the narrative's pacing felt uneven, with certain sections dragging on while others seemed rushed. This inconsistency affected the reading experience, making it challenging to fully engage with the story.
Overall, it is a thought-provoking book that touches upon essential themes and presents relatable female characters. Despite its shortcomings, this book can be read by people interested in exploring the complicatedness of relationships and the pursuit of empowerment may find elements to appreciate in it.
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