March 14, 2014

Attachments - Rainbow Rowell

Attachments - Rainbow Rowell
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: Plume
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Source/Format: Bought || Paperback

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say...? (from Goodreads)

Attachments is one of those books that I’ve been putting off for what feels like forever – and now I seriously want to kick myself in the butt for waiting so long to read it! It is a seriously delightful adult contemporary novel, showcasing Rainbow Rowell’s signature writing style wonderfully. A simple story populated by complex characters, Attachments is certainly worth checking out.

My favorite thing about Attachments is main character Lincoln. He is introduced as a computer expert who works the graveyard shift for a local newspaper, handling security and other IT concerns. From that statement alone, you can tell that (1) Lincoln is good with computers, (2) he’s a bit of a nerd and (3) he leads an unusual life, since he doesn’t have the same schedule as majority of people in the world. And unusual it is, from living with an overbearing mother, to a decided lack of social interaction (with the exception of D&D games with some pretty awesome friends). 

But then, he starts reading emails between two of the newspaper employees, Beth and Jennifer… and things start to change. Even though he knows it’s not right, he can’t help being fascinated by these vibrant, funny, interesting women – particularly Beth, who he starts to develop a crush on. Those feelings are one of the catalysts for change in his life, everything from going out more, to going to the gym and even pushing himself to be more social at work.

Attachments fascinated me as it chronicled Lincoln’s gradual transformation. He goes from living a stale, uneventful existence, where he’s comfortable but bored, to really living, complete with learning to take care of himself, valuing his independence and reaching out to others. It’s not always easy or successful, and sometimes, it can be plain harsh or sad or embarrassing. But even as he fumbles, or loses hope, or gets disappointed, I was definitely rooting for him to find his own two feet.

Still, the novel does not only revolve around Lincoln. It also manages to weave in the stories of Beth and Jennifer, the two girls whose email trail fascinates him so. Both are going through difficulties in their relationships – Jennifer dealing with her husband and pregnancy, Beth dealing with her rock star boyfriend – which comes across clearly in their emails. It’s also pretty cool how Rowell manages to help us get to know them through secondhand observation, just the way they type or their reactions to one another or Lincoln’s interactions with them (whether direct or not).

Then, of course, there’s the romance in Attachments. I was rooting for Lincoln and Beth even before there was anything to officially root for, clinging to each email and hoping against hope that it would work out. Sure, it was decidedly a little creepy that Lincoln had been reading all their emails and knew a lot about her, but it could still work out, right? Well, I’m here to tell you that I had basically no idea where it was going – but that Rowell definitely wrapped it up in just the right way.

Clearly, I enjoyed reading Attachments. It is such a well-written adult novel, with a unique format. With a fun, unusual story, it feels like the type of novel that many other readers will enjoy (as I’m well aware many of my friends already have!), and I’d highly recommend it too.

13 Comments:

  1. I recently read my first Rainbow Rowell book (Fangirl) and now I'm so excited to read all of her other books. Attachments in particular seems great. I love the medium of email and I'm excited to get to know all the characters, especially Lincoln. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and hopefully I can find a way to read this soon!

    -P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex

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  2. Wasn't this book amaaaaaazing? I'm so glad you liked it.

    Lincoln was delightfully awkward and nerdy, and I loved him as a main character. I loved when he got out on his own and started to discover who he could be if he didn't lock himself into a box of "I am this and only this." It was so empowering, not in an overly dramatic way, but just in a belated growing up kind of way.

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  3. This sounds unique and I've been eyeing it for awhile. I know I'll be picking it up soon (:

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  4. Rainbow Rowell has some of the most powerful, articulate and beautiful books ever written. I swear it. Though I haven't read this one yet, you'd better believe it's on my radar now! It sounds fantastic :) Great review, Alexa!

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  5. I WANT TO READ THIS SO BAD! Seriously though, it's been one of those books that I want to read and just haven't and I can't explain it. Everyone I know who has read this one has said just how awesome it is. Great review and glad you enjoyed it!

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  6. I am so happy you enjoyed this! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and not only does Lincoln sound like my weird science guy, the friendship between Beth and Jennifer and how they talk to each other remind me of me and my best friend! Rainbow Rowell for the win!!! :)

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  7. I know exact feeling when you want to read a read a book, but always have another book to read, then when you do finally read it wish you would have read it months ago, and not at all so you can discover it all over again. It is not easy to love books sometimes. I have never read any Rainbow Rowell, but I am anxious to check out his work! Thanks for your review

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  8. I started reading this about a month ago and just didn't fall into it. I definitely think that it was just the wrong time for me to read it, I have a hard time with contemps as you know...I LOOOOVED Fangirl and Eleanor & Park so I definitely want to pick this one up again and give it a valiant effort!! Your review rocks and made me feel like I was just not in the proper "mood" for this one at the time :)

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  9. I prefer E&P and Fangirl, but really Rainbow Rowell can do no wrong. Her writing is just so so good. I love how it's told from Lincoln's POV, but we get to know Beth through emails. So well done and creative! They were adorable together, and I just loved the ending. A little weird and a lot romantic. :)

    Great review, Alexa!

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  10. I waited until the beginning of this year to read Attachments and I was also kicking myself. I think your feelings pretty much sum up my feelings, I was definitely rooting for Lincoln and Beth from pretty early on and I completely fell for Lincoln, which was nice because I was worried he was going to be some creepy guy who lived at home with his mom! Great review!

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  11. So good. So good. I'm still waiting for my mom to finally pick this up. (I lent it to her months ago.) It was nice to have a character like Lincoln in a book that could have just been about the girls, ya know? I like that extra bit that Rainbow throws in.

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  12. I loved this one, too! It was fun to see a romance blossom in the Internet age when all of that was just starting to happen.

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  13. The characters will do things to move you, to irritate you, to make you laugh, to make you mad. Huh, sorta like real people.
    I loved this book.
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