The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty
by Jenners • 08/01/2012 • 4 Stars, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, H Titles, M Authors • 18 Comments
The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane MoriartyGenre: Fiction, Contemporary
Where I Got It: LibraryThing Early Reviewer program
Why I Read It: I so enjoyed Moriarty’s book, What Alice Forgot, and wanted to see if this book was as good. (It was.)
My Rating: 4 stars
Book Description
Ellen is a hypnotherapist living in Sydney, Australia. Working out of her beachfront home, she helps her patients deal with issues such as quitting smoking, pain management and weight loss. Ellen has a comfy life for herself—friends, a lovely home, and a thriving practice. Despite having a satisfying and happy life, Ellen craves love and romance. So when she meets Patrick (a widower with a young son), she is thrilled to find a man who is loving, kind, and ready to love again. There is just one catch: Patrick has a stalker named Saskia. Saskia is Patrick’s ex-girlfriend, and she is having a difficult time letting go of Patrick. Many women might be turned off by baggage like this, but Ellen finds Saskia intriguing—even sympathizing with her. But when Patrick and Ellen’s relationship gets more complicated, Ellen begins to lose patience with Saskia—especially when she learns that she may already know her.
My Thoughts
Liane Moriarty has done it again!! This book is just as interesting and delightful as What Alice Forgot. Ellen is a fully drawn character, whose neuroses and strengths felt recognizable and familiar (in other words, you can relate to her instantly). And, in a risk that pays off, Moriarty also gives us glimpses inside Saskia’s head, which creates sympathy for what could have been a very unsympathetic character. It is a tricky thing for an author to write two sympathetic characters who are at odds with each other, but Moriarty manages to pull it off.
The book just flew by, and I loved how Moriarty mixes humor and real-life issues in a way that is entertaining, touching and believable. Although you often find yourself laughing while reading, Ellen faces some real issues and must make difficult decisions along the way. I like this mix, and Moriarty has just the right touch. I’m sure this book is classified as “chick lit” (which often gets a bad rap), but I would hate to see anyone pass this by for that reason. It is smart, funny and touching book and deserves to be read.
One of the more interesting aspects of the book for me was Ellen’s profession of hypnotherapy. It made me want to try hypnosis for myself. So, on a recent trip to Las Vegas, I underwent hypnotherapy for weight loss at the hotel spa. Although I could see that it might be effective, one 50-minute session is simply not enough. I spent most of my session trying to figure out if I was being hypnotized or not. However, the setting and the voice of the therapist (as well as the suggestions) seemed liked they would work if I could just give myself over to the process and stop thinking so much. Although the weight loss suggestions didn’t quite take, I could imagine that sustained treatment might actually work. The hypnotherapist I went to told me that he actually hypnotized people so they could undergo surgery without anesthesia! Can you imagine that?
Anyway, this is a terrific book and would make for a perfect summer read. (Of course, it would be just as good at other times of the year but I think it strikes just the right tone for lighter vacation reading that isn’t totally brainless.)
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Can’t wait to read this one. Have you read the new Jay Asher book?
Oooh- I just started this one and am already hooked! Glad to see that you liked it! How was the cruise????
I really liked it too! And it is a good summer read.
I would be a little too freaked out to try hypnosis – Good for You!! And, no, I can’t imagine anyone using it as a replacement for drugs before surgery! Ack! Makes me nervous for those people just thinking about it.
I like the way you felt about the two women so I’m adding this to my list.
This sounds good… I love when the two sympathetic characters are opposite each other… makes you struggle with your feelings as you read, LOL. I have a friend who did hypnosis for quite a few sessions but I thought hers was more to help her sort of open up and reach a part of her brain she normally couldn’t or something. I did not know hypnosis could do things like what you mentioned!!
I’ll definitely keep this one in mind. I love how “chick lit” is becoming more mature. I remember growing tired of all the ones about shopping and shoes years back and have found myself drawn to it again.
Oh sounds like a total winner!
I still have What Alice Forgot on my shelves, but this does sound good.
This does sound really good! I will keep this book in mind, along with What Alice Forgot..
(I’d also be wondering if I was actually hypnotized or not.)
I can think of a few fears that I would like to be hypnotized not to care so much about (spiders and heights are right at the top of the list), but help with weight loss would also be a boon. I’ve been kicking myself because I ran out of time to read this one and had to return it to the library. Hopefully I’ll squeeze it in later this year.
Hear, hear for another read like What Alice Forgot!!! I loved being really into a book that had humor in the midst of hard things. Drats, I need more summer to read all of the books I have waiting for me to read them. I wonder if 4th graders would love it?!?!?!? Great review…per usual.
I’m glad to see this is as good as What Alice Forgot!
I would love to read this one! I had great luck with What Alice Forgot, and loved the author’s wit and style, so this one is going on my list. And a hypnotist who can get you through a surgery without anesthetics? Wow, that is impressive! This was a very nice review, by the way!
I like the two points of female view. I am afraid to be hypnotized, so I kudos to you for trying it.
Sounds like a winner, I do like characters that you can instantly recognise.
By the way, the article about 50 Shades Of Grey replacing the bible in that hotel features on today’s post if you’d like to drop by my blog.
Oh man, oh man. I loved What Alice Forgot SO MUCH. It was a five star love. It is hard for me to imagine not reading this, especially with this endorsement from you. I’m never ever ever going to dig myself out of this hole!
I loved What Alice Forgot so since “Liane Moriarty has done it again” this is going on my must read list.