Lily King certainly captivated us with this one.
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Heart the Lover
$26 at Amazon$26 at Walmart
Rosa Sanchez (senior news editor)
Hello @here, welcome back to Bazaar Book Chat! This October we delved into Heart the Lover by Lily King. The story explores various facets of love—initial romance, enduring affection, love for family—and the process of coping with bereavement after deep affection.
Initial reactions? What were your sentiments while reading? Did anyone else shed copious tears?
Olivia Alchek (senior designer)
Possibly my top pick so far for Book Chat, to be honest. I ADORED it.
❤️1
Kristina Ang (social video coordinator)
I’m typically not one to cry, but this story resonated deeply.
❤️2
Sophie Wang (weekend editor)
I devoured it in a single sitting. I was completely engrossed.
❤️1
Joel Calfee (assistant editor)
Oh, Lily. This one really affected me.
❤️1
Rosa Sanchez
I was shedding tears that ruined my mascara last night.
Joel Calfee
I definitely didn’t anticipate the events of the final act??
👆1
Kristina Ang
I ANTICIPATED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Joel Calfee
I assumed it would simply be a Sally Rooney-esque “they don’t stay together” narrative, but it took a dramatic turn.
❤️1
Olivia Alchek
I also appreciated its brevity, her writing is truly exceptional. It was concise yet brimming with rich, specific details.
‼️2
Sarah Olivieri (senior designer)
I approached this book without any prior knowledge, then kept seeing Reels of people weeping, saying they had just finished reading it, and I thought, Ohh nooooo.
😂1 😭1
Rosa Sanchez
I felt as though I was constantly anticipating a forthcoming tragedy. Lily writes so swiftly. At times, the tempo almost felt rushed?
‼️2
Joel Calfee
I certainly kept bracing for something unfortunate to occur, LOL.
Olivia Alchek
The initial section had me joyfully kicking my feet, so I was COMPLETELY unprepared to be sobbing by the conclusion.
😂2
Sophie Wang
I truly cherished that contrast between the straightforward, rapid writing style and the affected literary allusions.
🩷4 👆1
Olivia Alchek
I was fond of the pacing; it subtly echoed Hemingway’s style, where you are presented with mostly unadorned facts, eschewing intricate metaphors that might detract from the narrative.
💯2
Rosa Sanchez
So, throughout the story, our protagonist is referred to as Jordan, the moniker used by her friends Sam and Yash, inspired by the character in The Great Gatsby. However, on the very last page, we finally discover her given name, Casey, which is shared with the narrator in King’s other work, Writers & Lovers. What are your thoughts on this? Why do you suppose the author made this choice?
Kristina Ang
That came as a surprise to me. I’m a bit dense, so I was slightly perplexed, LOL.
😂1
Joel Calfee
I ADORED the connection to Writers & Lovers, and it caught me completely off guard.
❤️2
Olivia Alchek
It felt a little reminiscent of… Mr. Big’s unveiling at the conclusion of Sex and The City. The reveal of her name, I mean.
👆1 ‼️2 ❤️1 😂1
Rosa Sanchez
My impression was that King was attempting to illustrate that she had been reliving her past experiences with the guys and that she ultimately came to terms with her evolved self, independent of Sam and Yash.
👆3
Olivia Alchek
A thought that I can’t dismiss is the discussion between her and Yash in Paris regarding the qualities that define great books. Yash continually asserted that the form or structure invariably dictates its success… and I’m compelled to relate this to the structure of THIS book, segmented into three parts. The first part unfolds as a novel, the second utilizes “you” in reference to Yash within her narration, and the third is fragmented by the days spent at the hospital. Then, in the final paragraph of the penultimate chapter, she again addresses Yash as “you.” And finally, in the last line of the book, our main character’s true name is disclosed at the very end…I’m unsure of my precise interpretation, but I can’t shake the significance of Yash’s emphasis on form, and how this book makes deliberate choices.
🩷4
Rosa Sanchez
Exactly! It’s easy to overlook that the story initially bore a dedication to him.
❤️2
Sophie Wang
I honestly viewed it as another allusion… I was almost uncertain if it was actually her given name.
😮2
Joel Calfee
Sophie, that’s a compelling perspective! Perhaps it was a nod to those familiar with Writers & Lovers, or maybe it’s a nickname imbued with concealed significance…
💯1
Sarah Olivieri
Speaking of names, in the initial act, our narrator consistently uses Yash’s name, but in the second part, she exclusively refers to him as “you,” which I perceived as a fascinating method of signifying the emerging rift between them during that phase of their lives.
❤️3
Olivia Alchek
Sarah, precisely! And in the final paragraph of the second to last chapter, she employs it again!
Joel Calfee
This book strongly reminded me of Past Lives.
💯1
Olivia Alchek
EXACTLY, JOEL. I voiced a similar opinion to Sarah! Yet Past Lives somehow feels more agonizing, given their mutual affection amidst separation, whereas Yash’s demise provides a sense of conclusion. It’s an acutely painful conclusion as opposed to a lingering ache.
😭1
I also kept reflecting upon The Worst Person In the World, if anyone has had the pleasure of viewing that film. And also the upcoming A24 movie I haven’t even previewed yet, titled Eternity, wherein a woman must decide with whom to spend her afterlife, between the two individuals she loves, LOL.
‼️2
Rosa Sanchez
The story contained a multitude of nicknames. Jordan, Hink, the pigeons, babe! I sense that the author used them selectively to convey the degree of intimacy between the characters. Yash’s ultimate “babe” nearly undid me.
😭1 ‼️1
Kristina Ang
Indeed, it was ingenius. That almost finished me.
Tiffany Dodson (beauty commerce editor)
Agreed! It was exceptionally sad.
Sophie Wang
Oh, that wrecked me.
😭2
Sarah Olivieri
When neither of them corrected the doctor when he mistakenly referred to Casey as his wife? 😭
😭4 👆1
Rosa Sanchez
What insights do you glean about various expressions of love from the Jordan (Casey), Yash, and Sam dynamic? And what are your thoughts on Jordan maturing, marrying an individual we, as readers, never become intimately acquainted with, having children, and facing a completely novel set of challenges and joys?
Kristina Ang
Diverse forms of love benefit you in unique ways.
😭3
Tiffany Dodson
I found it intriguing that Yash was actually providing Sam with support by remaining in Atlanta, as opposed to the reverse.
👆3
Olivia Alchek
Tiffany, I still interpreted it as Yash avoiding the relationship, not merely aiding Sam. However, I was undoubtedly taken aback by Sam’s struggle with his faith.
👆1
Joel Calfee
I thought it was interesting, perhaps this is just my take, but we seldom witness Jordan’s joyous moments in her relationships? The moment she unites with Yash, there is a rapid montage of their honeymoon period, and abruptly, she is in Paris, feeling anxious about communication and longing… Then, upon introducing her husband, Silas, we primarily observe him after their son’s illness has caused much heartache in their lives. I question whether King intentionally omitted these joyous moments, perhaps intending for us to fill in the blanks or deduce the rationale behind the omissions. I’m not sure.
🔥4👆1
Olivia Alchek
I felt like we caught brief glimpses of her bliss? Of her impassioned affection for Yash, so intense that it “hurt” (according to him). However, perhaps that is exactly your point. Even affection for Yash was not entirely straightforward or effortless.
😭2
Rosa Sanchez
Indeed, Joel. But to me, it seemed like she composed this narrative while still processing Yash’s passing, attempting to articulate to herself the events that transpired and to comprehend why a lasting relationship with Yash proved unattainable.
💯2
Tiffany Dodson
Olivia, I concur partially, beyond question, but the brotherly bond between Yash and Sam has been unmistakable since the very start, particularly as Yash initially suppressed his sentiments for Jordan and Sam provided him support until the end.
💯3
Rosa Sanchez
Correct! The most unexpected love narrative was undeniably that of Sam and Yash. I was shocked by how substantial and meaningful their friendship proved to be.
‼️2
Joel Calfee
I did NOT support Sam at first, LOL.
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Olivia Alchek
I must confess, I was growing slightly frustrated by the pervasive notion within Yash’s family that Jordan was “the one who got away,” or the insinuation that she ended the relationship or broke his heart and not vice versa… My girl was deserted in New York without so much as a call, an apology, or any explanation?!?!? I place the onus of their relationship’s conclusion squarely on Yash. He offered minimal romantic gestures to reclaim her affection until years later, attempting to reconnect? It felt like the most basic of actions.
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Joel Calfee
He was radiating jealous, dramatic vibes.
Olivia Alchek
Furthermore, RE: Sam—“She’s the kind of girl you divorce” stands as the most sinister remark of all time.
💯4 😭2 😂1
Will forever haunt my thoughts.
Sophie Wang
That, juxtaposed with her narrative involving her college roommate and the manner in which she essentially dismissed that friendship during her senior year, was deeply affecting.
‼️2 💯1
Sarah Olivieri
^ I audibly gasped when reading that divorce segment.
Sophie Wang
Like, Yash and Sam were able to maintain their closeness throughout everything, but she surrendered much of herself for the sake of the relationship.
🔥2
Tiffany Dodson
Precisely! Especially regarding the adoption…
Olivia Alchek
Ugh, the ADOPTION. Now THAT was a complete surprise for me. The fact that she was pregnant and abandoned in NYC.
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Joel Calfee
The adoption was quite a shock, too.
Kristina Ang
UNBELIEVABLE.
Rosa Sanchez
I believe that King could have explored numerous smaller storylines—such as the baby one—but she opted to leave certain elements unsaid.
‼️2
Sarah Olivieri
I was constantly oscillating between whether or not it was an act of kindness to inform Yash about the baby on his deathbed.
Joel Calfee
It’s captivating that she expressed, “That never felt like my baby.”
❤️2
Olivia Alchek
Also noteworthy that she only elected to disclose this to Silas after her OBGYN discovered it when she was carrying Harry.
‼️2
Joel Calfee
It seemed as though Yash appreciated learning about it and perhaps needed such a moment to alleviate any anger he might have harbored?
Kristina Ang
I feel that it was optimal for him to discover this prior to his passing.
Olivia Alchek
I suspect it aided him in understanding her estrangement from him; to comprehend why she maintained such high walls after he abandoned her.
‼️1