Sophia C. reviewed on 5/28/2012 + 289 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

If you enjoyed Curtis Sittenfeld's debut novel Prep, chances are that you will like her next offering, The Man of My Dreams. Despite the romantic title, like her earlier work it is a poignant coming-of-age story of an anxious girl, but the story is more streamlined. We meet Hannah at age 14 as her parents' marriage is dissolving, and visit her again through various points throughout her college and into her late twenties. With some recurring characters, we see how Hannah negotiates love and life, awkwardly at times, but maturing emotionally and sexually. Sittenfeld is exceptionally gifted at making her protagonist's mental experience come alive; what seems raw and true is carefully but invisibly crafted to create that effect. I loved this story and was pulling for Hannah, despite her faults.

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