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whoischels's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I certainly enjoyed my time reading this book, but as a whole it was just very average.
What this book does really well is create a mother who makes some really awful decisions, yet maintains her humanity enough that the reader sympathizes with those decisions. It shows how derelict the United States is becoming, and in its own way explores the anxiety that many parents feel about deciding to raise children here. The lack of plausibility that some other reviewers take issue with doesn't really bother me all that much. I think that Eggars has done a wonderful job of taking everyday people, places, and events, and using them in the story the way one might use magical realism.
What this book doesn't do well is have an ending. At some point in their future,this family will have to return to society, regardless of whether that society is overly litigious and morally corrupt. Paul and Ana will have to return to school, Josie will have to find a way to make money. But this eventuality is not explored. The book ends with them all trying to hide from a lightning storm, and the kids demonstrating their growth by being courageous in the face of this danger. I was infuriated that none of the primary antagonists that Josie worries about throughout the story (what will society think? what happens when she runs out of money? is Carl going to sue her for kidnapping their children?) ever come to pass. I get it, I get why an author would close the story without addressing any of these. Heroes of the Frontier is about inhabiting and growing within a transitive moment in life, so it doesn't make sense to lift the characters of that transitive moment. But I'm still annoyed by the way it was handled.
I'm not obsessed with Eggars' writing style. It strikes me as a little flat, which can be excused if the writing has that something about it. This book didn't seem to have that, but at the end of the day, the writing was perfectly serviceable. I'd still like to read something else by him.
What this book does really well is create a mother who makes some really awful decisions, yet maintains her humanity enough that the reader sympathizes with those decisions. It shows how derelict the United States is becoming, and in its own way explores the anxiety that many parents feel about deciding to raise children here. The lack of plausibility that some other reviewers take issue with doesn't really bother me all that much. I think that Eggars has done a wonderful job of taking everyday people, places, and events, and using them in the story the way one might use magical realism.
What this book doesn't do well is have an ending. At some point in their future,
I'm not obsessed with Eggars' writing style. It strikes me as a little flat, which can be excused if the writing has that something about it. This book didn't seem to have that, but at the end of the day, the writing was perfectly serviceable. I'd still like to read something else by him.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
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