Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.
Despite all the preceding accolades, I rate this book only three stars. Following are my misgivings about this novel that led to my somewhat average rating.
The interactions between Alice and Hayden are first amusing and later unbelievable. Initially jealously eying each other as competition for a juicy job, they grow to admire and appreciate each other's skills. Then they appreciate each other sexually - sort of - but not really - but, then again maybe - but perhaps, maybe not - really? - is that it?...
The early background of both Alice and Hayden is alluded to but never explained fully. Alice has/had an ill younger sister but the medical cause is never fully revealed. It is hinted that Hayden has a mother who possibly suffered from depression but hid it well. Perhaps these aspects of each of their lives were presented to give causality for each's actions and hesitancies. Yet I felt they were loose ends the novel never fully addressed.
The family background of Margaret Ives is convoluted, complicated, and hard to follow. Alice herself admits in Chapter 15.
The interactions between Alice and Hayden are first amusing and later unbelievable. Initially jealously eying each other as competition for a juicy job, they grow to admire and appreciate each other's skills. Then they appreciate each other sexually - sort of - but not really - but, then again maybe - but perhaps, maybe not - really? - is that it?...
The early background of both Alice and Hayden is alluded to but never explained fully. Alice has/had an ill younger sister but the medical cause is never fully revealed. It is hinted that Hayden has a mother who possibly suffered from depression but hid it well. Perhaps these aspects of each of their lives were presented to give causality for each's actions and hesitancies. Yet I felt they were loose ends the novel never fully addressed.
The family background of Margaret Ives is convoluted, complicated, and hard to follow. Alice herself admits in Chapter 15.
"Right." It's going to be tricky keeping all of this straight. The book will need a family tree up front, with dates, for easy reference. "So, Frederick is1904, Francine is 1905, and then Ruth Allen is born in secret in..." I check my notes. "Nineteen twenty-eight or twenty-nine?"
But once I could beat down my obsessive compulsive side that needs to understand all, I could let go and enjoy the story without absorbing the familial details. Future readers, your grasp of the family history is not critical for reading enjoyment. Learn to let go earlier on than I did.
The big reveal was a so-what for me. Not to reveal any spoilers here, but the climax was just a hillock in the foothills and not a mountain peak that had been summited. I was disappointed with the ending.I will admit, that despite the challenging environment traveling often presents for reading, I was eager to soldier on and finish the book. Nevertheless, I rate Great Big Beautiful Life three stars.
★★★☆☆ Better than average; not a waste of time
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