The Divorce

by Moa Herngren
The Divorce cover
Good Books rating 3.38
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 399
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • Formats: 31
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
lotuswritingtherapy.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
engaging 3.50

The Divorce by Moa Herngren explores the breakdown of a 30-year marriage from both Bea and Niklas' perspectives. Bea's dependence on Niklas and his family, along with Niklas' guilt and responsibility, make her an unsympathetic character for much of the novel, though the structure of alternating viewpoints works well.

The Divorce by Moa Herngren delves into the complexities of a long-term marriage through the eyes of Bea and Niklas. Bea's unwavering belief in her marriage, despite her demanding nature and dependence on Niklas and his family, makes her a challenging character to sympathize with. Niklas, burdened by guilt and a sense of responsibility, struggles to assert himself, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. The novel's structure, alternating between Bea's and Niklas' perspectives, is effective, though the reviewer found themselves taking sides more quickly than expected. Despite this, the novel is engaging and leaves the reader eager to explore more of Herngren's work.

Quick quotes

    Every fibre of her being is against packing up the kitchen; it’s impossible. All those things belong together, just like she and Niklas do. The two of them, together with the girls. The family.

    He is so unused to being alone, without his family, that it’s almost intoxicating. Sitting here on the sand, in silence, without anyone needing him. Without anyone making demands on him.

    Bea’s utter conviction that her marriage is unassailable together with the demands she puts upon Nicklas and her seeming inability to put her children first make her an unsympathetic character for much of the novel.

nytimes.com · Unknown · 2024-08-11
thought-provoking 3.50

The Divorce by Moa Herngren explores the messy and emotional process of ending a marriage, with reviewers praising its raw and realistic portrayal of relationships. Some found the characters flawed but relatable, while others struggled with the disjointed narrative and self-absorbed characters.

The Divorce by Moa Herngren delves into the complexities of a failing marriage, offering a raw and honest look at the emotional turmoil that comes with separation. Many reviewers appreciated the book's realistic portrayal of flawed characters and the psychological depth of the relationships. The dual perspective of Bea and Niklas provides insight into both sides of the story, though some felt the narrative could have been more cohesive. While some readers found the characters relatable and the writing immersive, others found the self-absorbed nature of the protagonists difficult to connect with. Overall, the book is seen as a thought-provoking exploration of marriage and divorce, with a mix of praise for its emotional honesty and criticism for its pacing and character development.

Quick quotes

    This is a tough one to review. On the one hand it's a very quiet and heartbreaking story about the end of a marriage, which kind of sneaks up on you. But on the other hand, it's hard not to take sides and see where/how/why I feel like it all went to hell.

    *The Divorce* by Moa Herngren is raw, real, and kind of uncomfortably honest in the best way. It digs into the emotional messiness of ending a marriage — how it affects not just the couple, but everyone around them.

    I had a very hard time getting through this book because the characters were so self-absorbed that I could not connect with the story.

netgalley.com · Unknown · 2024-08-06
horrifying 2.00

The Divorce by Moa Herngren is a compelling yet horrifying literary train wreck. The protagonist, Bea, is self-absorbed and bizarre, focusing on trivial concerns while her marriage crumbles. The novel's lack of logical chronology and unlikable characters make it a challenging read.

Moa Herngren's The Divorce is a novel that is both compelling and horrifying, described as a literary train wreck. The story follows Bea, a middle-aged mother in Stockholm, whose anxieties about outdoor furniture and ferry tickets for a family holiday reveal her self-absorbed nature. The novel's first hundred pages revolve around Bea's futile attempts to save her marriage to Niklas, a man who seems more like an automaton than a fully realized character. Herngren's lack of self-awareness as an author and the bizarre inner workings of Bea make the novel a challenging read. Fans of Herngren's Netflix show Bonus Family might find some familiarity, but those who prefer logical chronologies and relatable characters may wish to steer clear.

Quick quotes

    Despite a beautiful translation by Alice Menzies — the prose elegantly simple, self-assured — the Swedish author, journalist and screenwriter Moa Herngren’s latest novel, “The Divorce,”is a literary train wreck: horrifying, if compelling enough to be so.

    Fans of “Bonus Family,” the Netflix show she co-created, may want to set aside a day to tackle this new episode in her oeuvre.

    But those who prefer logical chronologies, or characters whose thoughts and interactions resemble those of human beings, or some self-awareness on the part of the author, may wish to steer clear.

alifeinbooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2024-07-03
thought-provoking 4.50

The Divorce by Moa Herngren offers a nuanced exploration of a long marriage's breakdown, told from both Bea and Niklas's perspectives. The novel delves into their differing viewpoints, financial strains, and personal aspirations, culminating in a thought-provoking narrative that challenges the reader to decide where the blame lies.

The Divorce by Moa Herngren presents a compelling narrative of a long marriage's dissolution, told through the alternating perspectives of Bea and Niklas. The story begins with Bea's perspective on the night their marriage unravels, followed by Niklas's side, revealing the financial pressures and personal struggles that led to their separation. The novel's third part alternates between their viewpoints, exploring the foundation of their relationship and the impact on their twin daughters. The kitchen, a symbol of Bea's aspirations and Niklas's financial stress, becomes a central theme. The reader is invited to decide where the blame lies, and while the narrative strives for balance, it ultimately leans towards one side. The book is well-written and offers much to consider, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The kitchen is perfect, but now she has to give it up. And all because Niklas has given up on her.

    Herngren tells the story in three parts, first Bea, then Niklas, and finally alternating between the two.

    I did and fairly early too. I won’t confirm which, but it wasn’t the side I expected.

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