Polarized

I wanted to like this book, but the polarized characters and their circumstances put me off. I found the character of Marian to be selfish, shallow and predictably into the glitter and bling that comes from a successful life and from being part of a highly advantaged upper class background. She eventually evolves, by necessity, into a more open, inclusive person and for that I give her credit.

I also thought that the adoption was not well-considered. Marian was (and still is) in wealthy circumstances, with parents willing and able to help - aren't these kind of advantages one would want to give a child? It seems that giving away a baby to a "better life" doesn't really ring true in this case, and then, how is "better" defined?

Truth be told, I don't think that the 18-yr-old Marian saw a life with Conrad and baby to be a realistic option for her, that she wanted more - more in terms of security, reliability, prosperity, and the ability to continue her life in the manner in which she was raised. I don't see anything really wrong in this, so perhaps I am on the fence.

Then there is... "Kirby". Despite that her character IMO has a dumb name, and as interpreted by Orlagh Cassidy sounds predictably juvenile and under-sophisticated and her voice sounds annoyingly ducklike, her "nice", neutral but unremarkable midwestern middle-class background - with all its white bread aspects - is pitted against the eye-popping glitz and glamour of Marian's exotic-by-comparison life.

But the ending seemed to fit. There didn't seem to be any compelling reason, even the existence of Kirby, for Marian and Conrad to restart their relationship. What would Marian do with this? Move to Chicago and try to reinvent her producer status there? Could Conrad and Marian actually make it as a couple? It seems that these two are still in love, but love is not enough.

The book seems to be saying that there are certain relationships that are for love, fun and excitement, and others that are more "appropriate" and realistic. The Peter/Marian connection is one of these latter types, and I just assumed that after breaking up with Peter right after she'd been around the still wild-and-crazy artist Conrad, she'd just go on to find a similar character.

I can see why Emily Giffin is so successful, though. Polarizing is probably a requirement of the types of novels she writes, and this novel in particular opens the possibility of further development - will there be a sequel? Or will some other author pick up this theme?

I have to say that on balance I enjoyed the book - more entertaining than annoying.

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16 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Lovely Book

What made the experience of listening to Where We Belong the most enjoyable?

Very enjoyable book touching on many emotional topics that managed to put a lump in my throat more than once. It was a feel good story and although I found parts predictable, it was still just the kind of story I was in the mood for hearing. I loved the narrator's voice and she did a tremendous job with the various roles.

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14 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Compelling, evocative, humorously delicious listen

Emily Giffin is that rare writer whose craft is continually refined with each book. I've enjoyed all her novels, but this one is the most developed, well researched yet. She paints such a gutsy, frank look at adoption, relationships and family against the hollow, plastic reality of the television industry. Evocative, heart wrenching, and simultaneously warming, Where We Belong is a thoroughly engaging tale with a fine narration by Orlagh Cassidy.

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13 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

fantastic find!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book was definitely worth listening to. I've read and listened to all of Emily Giffin's books and this is easily my favorite. The story is so grripping you don't want to stop listening!

What does Orlagh Cassidy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was perfect for this story.

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11 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Pretty good, but missing something...

Any additional comments?

This is a heartwarming story from Giffin and if you like her past books, then you're likely to enjoy this, as well. It's well read by Orlagh Cassidy and the story has a good flow, but I did feel like it was missing something.....some meat, if you will. It was all a little too good to be true and just when you thought she would really delve into a character or relationship, she moved on to the next thing. For example...and this isn't really a spoiler, but just in case: SPOILER ALERT: nobody feels any conflict about the situation, everyone forgives the main character, everyone has great relationships with their parents, all of whom great, happy, understanding people and best pals with their kids. Kirby who is supposed to be an angsty teen that doesn't really fit in, finds peace all the parents, her sister and a boyfriend. Ain't life grand for everyone!?
it just seemed a little too happy and tidy to be a believable story.

But, Giffin is an enjoyable author. The overall story was a good listen. I was just hoping for a little more.

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Loved it!

I needed something light and this book did it for me. Very well written and the characters come to life! From the get go, I enjoyed and looked forward to my time with these
characters. Thanks

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7 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Waste of Time

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The title was catchy, but the whole story did not make any sense.If she said "surreal" one more time, I was going to turn it off! Really!

Has Where We Belong turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was fair. Kirby's and Marion's voices got on my nerves after a while. All of the men sounded the same to me.

Was Where We Belong worth the listening time?

No at all.

Any additional comments?

This is the worst book I have ever listened to, and I have listened to many, many good ones from Audible.

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7 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Longing for an epilogue.

Just when it was getting better and having the sense of acceptance and belonging for all parties, the story ended. I wish there were more story in what happened to Kirby's birth parents in the end.

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Loved it

I'm a fan of Emily Giffin's work and this one is not an exception. I loved the story, loved the characters, loved the sentiment.

As for the narrator... she was ok. I could not stand how she read Kirby's voice. To me, she made her sound a lot more bitter than I would have imagined. Other than that, she was ok to listen to.

I normally prefer to read books like this because I love to read... I only listened to it because I was on a road trip and wanted something to listen to. Despite the my dislike of the narration, I was still gripping at every detail. I would definitely recommend this book, weather it be audio or text.

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3 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

warm and fuzzy

If you could sum up Where We Belong in three words, what would they be?

complex family story

What does Orlagh Cassidy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

great emotion

Who was the most memorable character of Where We Belong and why?

Kirby was very memorable because it was easy to see her grow up and gain respect for her adoptive parents.

Any additional comments?

I'm usually a thriller or mystery person but once in a while I like to switch to something different. Emily Giffin is my go to person for that switch. She never lets me down.

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