Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard

Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard
2016
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mixed feelings about this book. It started slow but eventually redeemed itself. Unfortunately, it took me over half of the book to resign to finishing it.

The relationship between the main character, a lonely desperate alcoholic and a seemingly philanthropic couple is awkward and inappropriate. When Helen joins Match.com the couple look forward to hearing about her dating "plights."
The irony of the title Under the Influence having a much broader meaning in regards to the characters in the story. It is frustrating when characters are manipulated and "influenced" by others. It questions what friendship means to people and what that would look would like. Is it a friendship when it is clearly one sided?
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***I would like to add this novel had new meaning to me after having recently read an ARC of The Best of Us: A Memoir by Joyce Maynard which is due to be published September 2017.  A touching memoir which honestly details the her challenges both emotionally and financially over the past few years. *** (my review can be found on GoodReads)

Here are some notes while I was reading:

March 13, 2016 –

page 51.....17.71% "I'm still not sure how I feel about this novel. So far I am underwhelmed and questioning how I will finish this book. Not a good sign. Unfortunately, I don't tend to not finish books, even if I put it down...somehow I need to know the ending. Forever optimistic."

March 14, 2016 –

page 133.....46.18% "The relationship between the main character who is a recovering alcoholic and a married couple is beyond weird, awkward and uncomfortable. The main character joins Match.com at the urging of the couple and anxiously awaits the stories that follow after each date."

message 1: by Kelly - rated it 3 stars

Mar 19, 2016 02:47AM

This book is making more sense to me now. The irony of the title Under the Influence having a much broader meaning in regards to the characters in the story. It is frustrating when characters are manipulated and "influenced" by others. It questions what friendship means to people and what that would look would like. Is it a friendship when it is clearly one sided?