It was sort of interesting, and almost a little heartbreaking. Just felt so much for the character and understood what they were going through.

An unconventional mixture of what seems to be memoir and philosophical argument, along with cross-cultural and practically cross-generational relations.

Very interesting

What an interesting read. First off you have the story itself. The relationship, the ups and downs. Pretty engaging and I really felt for Micheal.
Secondly, this is written in an unusual way. The author sort of pops up every now and again to talk about story or love or what's going on. It doesn't feel jarring or intrusive. It made me question story but not THE story. Just more generally, the things we tell ourselves, our own narratives.
It's hard to explain. I really warmed to the book though and can't wait to find someone else who read it so I can discuss it in detail.
This would be so good as a book group choice.

In an effort to label Bill Smoot's type of experimental writing I searched the term "philosophical fiction" and Wikipedia aptly yielded "a sort of thought experiment in ethics". This story about love contains an unconventional mixture of what seems to be memoir and philosophical argument, along with cross-cultural and practically cross-generational relations, in a setting I love: northern California. The main character Michael is a teacher who claims the story of his life never found a plot until his 40th year when he met significantly younger Leanna (Li-Li) Chang, but then sadly, he makes it his mission only to love her, not to be loved by her. Michael is so self-controlled, self-contained and driven to adhere to this path and after initially judging her as crazy he marries her anyways, so it seems he's writing this story in an attempt to justify his bad decisions after the fact. I really felt for him, and his large soft heart, and was rooting for him to just reconnect with shape-shifter Marilyn and live happily ever after, since he goes so far as to figure out a way to re-craft the story he wants to tell (or lecture he wants to teach), but this isn't a Hollywood movie script, it's experimental literature.

I won't say that the reinforcing of dominant motifs (cupid arrow targets, je peux, shape shifter), reached the point of repetition - because again, experimental. But I did worry/wonder how this couple was able to afford their extravagant splurges on A-list restaurants, frequent travel, skydiving, on top of maintaining the cost of California property, student loans, and IVF. One thing that I seriously did take issue with though, was a quick aside about meth use boosting energy and confidence; I don't think I'm being naive in being offended by the assertion that daily meth usage might be considered "a moderate dose" by any means.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a seductive read. I enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it would be on my top to read constantly.

It was wonderfully written, and I read it in just under 6 hours. It was a super easy read and super easy to get in to.

Thank you so much to the publisher, the author and netgalley for allowing me to review this title.

LOVE!! A good story. But, was this based on Bill Smoots real life? I think yes. It was brilliantly done.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Wowee, what a book. Well worth the time to read.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.