Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell
Almost nobody knows that he isn't coming home.
Tom is the creator of Thursday--a semi-autobiographical webcomic, turned bestselling graphic novel, turned international phenomenon.
Semi-autobiographical. That means there's a character in this movie based on Cherry... "Baby."
Wide-hipped, heavy-chested, double-chinned Baby.
Cherry never wanted this. No fat girl wants to see herself caricatured on the page--let alone on the big screen. But there's no getting away from it. Baby looks so much like Cherry that strangers recognize her at the grocery store.
While her soon-to-be ex-husband is in Los Angeles getting rich and famous and being the Internet's latest boyfriend, Cherry is stuck in Omaha taking care of the dog he always wanted and the house they were going to raise a family in...and wondering who she's supposed to be without him.
Cherry had promised to love Tom through thick and thin.
She'd meant it.
One night, Cherry decides to leave all her problems, including Tom's overgrown puppy, at home. She ventures out to see her favorite band play her favorite album...and someone recognizes her from across the room.
Russ Sutton knew Cherry when she was a young art student with a fondness for pin-up dresses and patent leather heels. Before Tom.
Russ knows Cherry. He likes Cherry.
And best of all...he's never heard of Thursday.
Review: Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an ARC!
How does Rainbow Rowell do it?? I was so mesmerized by this story and the emotional depth of these characters. Cherry felt so real that it's hard to believe she's a fictional character. I felt so caught up in Cherry's story and deeply immersed in her life.
Cherry is finding her way in the aftermath of her marriage falling apart. When she bravely goes to a concert by herself, she is delighted to run into Russ, a guy she had had a huge crush on in college. In alternating chapters, we see Cherry exploring her new relationship with Russ, who is handsome and charming and the one who got away in her youth. In the others, we get to witness Cherry meeting Tom, the man she would marry. I felt so genuinely torn up between these men! Rowell does such a great job of highlighting the beauty of both of these relationships and helping the reader see that Cherry could be happy with either of these men. WHAT A FEAT. I have never felt so torn and genuinely appreciative of both love interests in my life. Neither is painted as the villain - Cherry sees them both wholly with both their flaws and their strengths. I deeply appreciated Rowell's portrayal of Cherry as a self-titled fat woman that wears a size 18. Many books will pay lip service to bigger women, but this is a defining part of Cherry's life and character and significantly impacts virtually every part of her life and relationships. Cherry is one of 5 sisters and they are all fat. There is a significant tension between them during this book because one sister is taking a GLP-1. I loved how this propels forward Cherry's reflection on self-acceptance and
Also, a moment of appreciation for STEVIE NICKS. I have never loved a fictional dog more and never have I felt like one was better integrated into a text. She is a massive Great Pyrenees and Newfoundland mix, and I love how present she feels in so many scenes. Cherry talks to Stevie all the time in her loneliness after her husband leaves. Her hair is covering everything! She is constantly needing to be walked or in the background of so many scenes. I love her so much.
I literally can't think of any valid critiques for this book. It feels real and raw and honest and discusses topics like weight and self-acceptance and second chances in such a heartfelt and deeply feeling way.
Stars: 5
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