Review: Love May Fail by Matthew Quick

Love May Fail by Matthew Quick
Released: 4th June 2015
Published by: Picador
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 416
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
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From Matthew Quick, the bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook.

Portia Kane is having a meltdown. After escaping her cheating husband and their posh Florida life, she finds herself transported back home and back to square one. In need of saving herself, she sets out to find and resurrect a beloved high-school English teacher who has retired after a violent incident in the classroom. But she quickly learns that it's not a one-woman job. Luckily she meets a few people on her journey.

Can Chuck, the handsome brother of Portia's old school friend, together with a sassy nun and a metal-head little boy, help Portia's chances in her bid for renewed hope in the human race? It's going to be quite a ride. Moving and funny,

Love May Fail is about the heartache and daring choices it takes to become the person you know deep down you are meant to be.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Love May Fail is a novel about finding yourself after losing something important in your life, and accepting that help can come from the most unlikely places. This is a story that has so many layers, where each character and event all fit into their pieces of the puzzle to show just how complicated life can be, and yet simplified when we find just the answers we need. It's a comforting tale of overcoming hardships and moving on to find a new sense of self, and for that I really enjoyed it.

Portia Kane, Official Member of the Human Race! This card entitles you to ugliness and beauty, heartache and joy—the great highs and lows of existence—and everything in between. It also guarantees you the right to strive, to reach, to dream, and to become the person you know (deep down) you are meant to be. So make daring choices, work hard, enjoy the ride, and remember—you become exactly whomever you choose to be.

The quick-witted prose not only makes this an easy read, but one which has true meaning as well. I love how there were multiple narrative perspectives, which gave a glimpse into each of the main character's lives - their trials and tribulations, and their hilarious moments as well. Mr. Vernon (though not at all the same as in Harry Potter), Chuck Bass (no, not the one in Gossip Girl), and Sister Maeve (sorry, no comparisons for this one). There is a vibrancy to this book, which is counterbalanced with some deeper, more serious issues. Every character has their place, and all of them intertwine in some way which makes for a compelling read. By the end it was so nice to see how it all fit together!

Teachers have to believe. You have to care, and that takes a lot of work and effort. Teachers need people to give back once in a while too, if only a little.

Portia, a struggling writer, goes out to seek her English teacher who after one defining moment was left angry with the world and lost his passion. This book goes to show that perhaps sometimes despite our best intentions, we can actually make things worse by meddling in others' lives. However, what I love is that it depicts the serendipity which life can bring. People help each other in unexpected ways, and sometimes things just fall into place the way they are supposed to as a blessing in disguise. It's also a good reminder of how much of a difference a teacher can make in the lives of their students. Sometimes I think they don't get the recognition they deserve, and should always be treated with respect. Sure, they're only human like the rest of us - but they can make such a profound impact which lasts for years. Life is a rollercoaster - that much is undeniable, and so it was enthralling to see how Portia in particular dealt with the highs and lows, picking herself up and really trying to stand on her own two feet with confidence once more. Every character seems to develop in some way, and as events unfold they all come to learn significant truths about themselves and what their path is meant to be.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Love May Fail is a heartwarming and skilfully crafted novel which will strike a cord with many readers. If you like some life lessons wrapped up with a coating of well-placed humour then this book will not disappoint.