Book Reviews of The Road to Tender Hearts and Mrs. Dalloway

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

Rating 2 out of 5

Content Warning: Domestic Violence, Neglect, Substance Abuse, and Sexual Content

Sadly, I read the whole thing in a matter of weeks but was left with a dark, empty place in my heart. At times, reading it was funny, and the characters are engaging. You want the best for them, even though the main characters repeatedly make the same addictive behavior patterns over and over again. The main character struggles with the loss of his daughter, being an alcoholic who has repeatedly tried to stop drinking, which helps him block out his life’s regrets, and he gets a chance to leave behind his past in the search for his high school sweetheart, whom he thinks would be the new start to his life. However, along the way, he inherits two children from the murder-suicide of an estranged niece and her husband, whom he has never met, and the children have been abused and neglected by their parents. At Ollie 9 and Luna 10, PJ Halliday realizes they need the help of another adult and reaches out to his estranged 26-year-old daughter for help. Little does PJ Halliday know that his daughter is struggling with the memories of childhood trauma, substance abuse, impulsive behavior disorder, and the recent loss of her job. However, the family quickly takes the road to find the children’s “real father” and PJ’s high school crush, hoping to change their lives and future destiny. But along the way, all the bad stuff starts bubbling to the surface as each member struggles with their own trauma and addictions. As the story progresses, the reader doubts that PJ, the children, or his daughter will find a better future.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf 

3 out ot 5

I read this book in college, and it went over my head. I realized it was about a wretched woman. I think the first time I read Mrs.Dalloway I thought it was about planning a party, memories, etc. She goes through her day remembering and connecting with old friends and acquaintances, but by the end, she realizes that her decision led her to unhappiness and unfulfillment. Additionally, the tragic death of a neighbor during her dinner party brings her to realize how fragile life is and also recognize that she did not pity that man who committed suicide because she felt the very same way herself. The ending is her standing in the middle of her party, filled with all the right people in society, which makes her more than depressed. Virginia Woolf’s writing is always beautiful and draws us into the vibrant inner life of a character and their every thought and emotion. You can feel Mrs. Dalloway’s discontent as you read her thoughts and emotions on the page.