Reviews

Cuisine tatare et descendance by Alina Bronsky

Only show reviews with written explanations

fbroom's review against another edition

5.0

I couldn't put this down. I kept wanting more and I still want to know more.

The story of three generations of women. The narrator's tone (Rosalinda) is sarcastic and funny. I don't know how to describe Rosalinda. Rosa is a tough and arrogant woman who thinks that her husband is a useless object and her daughter is stupid. She thinks her daughter failed to inherent any of her mother's perfect qualities. The first half is funny but the story takes a different turn and ends with a completely different ending that I had expected.

emily's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

memerson's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny sad slow-paced

2.75

ghilimei's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Content Warnings

hannahkosel's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

rkanzesq's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced

4.5

nick_at_nite's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Bronsky's tale of a dysfunctional family lead by a ballsy Tartar matriarch is dark, funny, and deeply sad. The narrative spans some 30-odd years but maintains a conversational approach throughout, never getting swept up in the epic timeline. The novel has the taste of a particularly bittersweet chocolate.

horfhorfhorf's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book was fucking fantastic. The narrator, Rosalinda, is a special kind of acerbic; the rest of the characters in the unenviable position of never coming close to meting her expectations.