Landline: A Novel Paperback – July 7, 2015

Review of LandlineHot Toasty Rag, May 25, 2017I loved this book, even though on the surface, it seemed like I wouldn’t. In general, I don’t tend to enjoy fantasy/science fiction, and in general, because of where I am in my life, I find it difficult to identify or root for middle-aged women with children. However, this time-traveling fantasy was entertaining, hilarious, and highly recommended by yours truly.A woman with a challenging job, two typically needy children, and a marriage that’s lost its luster, reaches an impasse. The ageless question of “What if?” enters her mind as she starts to doubt her life choices, and in particular, her decision to marry her college sweetheart. Now, the fantasy element of the story appears: Georgie, the protagonist, visits her childhood home, and in a wallowing moment of nostalgia, she picks up her old landline phone. All of a sudden, she’s entered a portal fifteen years in the past, to the time right before she became engaged back in college. How is this happening, and why? And as the phone calls continue, will she be able to change her present through the past?This book is so funny, and the details from Georgie’s job are so spot-on, I’d be surprised if Rainbow Rowell hadn’t used some of her own experiences. Check out this passage below for Rowell’s description of Georgie’s children; rarely have I read such an accurate description of motherhood. If you like the humor and realism, you’ll like the novel. I didn’t happen to like the ending, but you can’t have everything.“Daddy said I could wear my boots,” Alice croaked.“Where are they?” Georgie whispered.“Daddy knows.”They woke Noomi up, looking for them.Then Noomi wanted HER boots.Then Georgie offered to get them yogurt, but Neal said they’d eat at the airport; he’d packed snacks.He let Georgie explain why she wasn’t getting on the plane with them—“Are you driving instead?” Alice asked—while he ran up and down the stairs, and in and out the front door, double-checking things and rounding up bags.Georgie tried to tell the girls that they’d be having such a good time, they’d hardly miss her—and that they’d all celebrate together next week. “We’ll have two Christmases,” Georgie said.“I don’t think that’s actually possible,” Alice argued.Noomi started crying because her sock was turned the wrong way around her toes. Georgie couldn’t tell if she wanted it seam-on-the-bottom or seam-on-top. Neal came in from the garage and whipped off Noomi’s boot to fix it. “Car’s here,” he said.[…]“You’re the best mommy in the world,” Noomi said. Everything was always “the best” and “the worst” with Noomi. Everything was “never” and “always.”“And you are the best four-year-old girl in the world,” Georgie said, smashing her nose with a kiss.“KITTY,” Noomi said. She was still tearful from the sock problem.“You are the best kitty in the world.” Georgie tucked Noomi’s wispy yellow-brown hair behind her ear and pulled her T-shirt smooth over her belly.“Green kitty.”“The best green kitty.”“Meow,” Noomi said.“Meow,” Georgie answered.“Mom?” Alice asked.“Yeah?” Georgie pulled the seven-year-old closer—“Here, give me all your hugs”—but Alice was too busy thinking to hug back.“If Santa brings your presents to Grandma’s house, I’ll save them for you. I’ll put them in my suitcase.”“Santa doesn’t usually bring Mommy presents.”“Well, but IF he does…”“Meow,” Noomi said.“Okay,” Georgie agreed, holding Alice in her left arm and scooping Noomi close with her right, “if he brings me presents, you can take care of them for me.”“Mommy, meow!”“Meow,” Georgie said, squeezing them both.“Mom?”“Yes, Alice.”“The true meaning of Christmas isn’t presents anyway, it’s Jesus. But not for us, because we’re not religious. The true meaning of Christmas for us is just family.”Georgie kissed her cheek. “That’s true.”“I know.”“Okay. I love you. I love you both so much.”“To the moon and back?” Alice asked.“Oh my God,” Georgie said, “so much farther.”“To the moon and back infinity?”“Meow!”“Meow,” Georgie said. “Infinity times infinity. I love you so much, it hurts.”Noomi’s face fell. “It hurts?”“She doesn’t mean it LITERALLY,” Alice said. “Right, Mom? Not LITERALLY?”“No. Well. Sometimes.”

I'd rate this 4.5 stars.Last year, Rainbow Rowell catapulted onto my list of favorite authors with two of her books, Eleanor & Park and Fangirl. I just loved her writing and the characters she created, and both books made my year-end list of the best books I read. So needless to say, when I saw she had a new book coming out this year, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it, and I waited to see how it would be different.Georgie McCool is a successful sitcom writer, a job she has dreamed of for as long as she can remember. She and her best friend, Seth, have been a comedy team since college, and they have risen through the ranks of the comedy writing world. They're finally working on a commercially successful show, despite the fact that they hate the comedian who is the star, and they dream of someday having their own show, the show they've thought of and planned for since they first met.Georgie and her husband, Neal, have dated since college. While they both truly love each other, and the family they have created with their two young daughters, they don't always get along. But what married couple does, right? Maybe Georgie doesn't try as hard as she could, maybe she's not as fully involved in taking care of the girls as Neal is. And maybe Neal resents Georgie's weird symbiotic relationship with Seth all these years. But every couple has issues."How does anyone ever know whether love is enough? It's an idiotic question. Like, if you fall in love, if you're that lucky, who are you to even ask whether it's enough to make you happy?"One day, Georgie and Seth finally get the news they've been hoping for—their dream show has been given the go-ahead by a network executive to be a mid-season replacement. They have just a few days to come up with the first several scripts. The only problem is, it's two days before Christmas, and Neal, Georgie, and the girls have plans to go to Nebraska to visit Neal's mother. But Georgie says she has to stay in Los Angeles, as she can't give up this dream.Georgie is reeling from Neal's departure, and her fears that this may be the crushing blow to their marriage. One night she finds a way to communicate with college-aged Neal, at a moment when their relationship was at a crossroads. Although she fears continuing to speak with "past Neal" might ruin something in the future (a la Back to the Future), she can't tear herself away, and at the same time, she can't help but wonder whether there's some cosmic opportunity to try and fix something in their relationship—and whether she should stop it this time before it took off.I read Landline in a day. While I didn't love it as much as Rowell's earlier books, I really, really enjoyed it. As I've said numerous times before, I'm sappy enough to enjoy stories of making love work through difficult times, and I guess I've read enough books with gimmicks like these that I didn't have any trouble with this plot twist either. In fact, I imagined what I would do if I had the same opportunity Georgie did.If I have any criticism of Landline, it's that the characters are all fairly unsympathetic. From time to time, I wanted to shake nearly every one of them to say what they were thinking, to prevent something major from happening, although I know that's pretty much like life is. But I just love the way Rowell writes, so even with cranky characters, she has the ability to charm me and keep me reading. Can't wait for her next one!!

It’s been a few years since I read this book, so providing a detailed review would be difficult. But I bought the book again as I lost the original and I remember enjoying it very much. It is a unique story that intermingles a modern day relationship with a decades old way of communicating. Definitely interesting and magical. An enjoyable read for sure.

Rainbow Rowell's "Landline" is a captivating tale of love, second chances, and the complexities of relationships. Georgie McCool, a TV writer, finds herself at a crossroads in her marriage when she discovers a way to communicate with her husband in the past via a magical landline phone. As Georgie navigates the challenges of balancing her career and family life, the story unfolds with wit, charm, and genuine emotion. Rowell's writing is engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps readers hooked until the very end. While the premise may seem fantastical, the themes of love and self-discovery are relatable and resonate deeply. "Landline" is a heartfelt and enjoyable read that reminds us of the importance of communication, understanding, and forgiveness in relationships.

I’m married and I can understand Georgie’s problems because I went something similar a couple of months ago. It’s a great book.

Like any other book by Rainbow Rowell , it didn't let me down. And the story was unique in its way. The shipping was great and fast.

Die Lieferung erfolgte schnell und pünktlich und das Produkt war wie beschrieben. Ich bin sehr zufrieden.