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rainbowowlets's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
lchamberlin97's review against another edition
4.0
First, I gotta say that I thought his name was Morris throughout the entire audio book. That Irish accent, man.
Second, what a sad book. Sad because, though it was a nicely unique story, it seems way too real. Specifically, it's indicative of the fate of 50% of the people who have found themselves a life partner. Geez. It's one of those things that I might prefer to be in denial about - or just hope that I'm in the 50% that dies before my life partner, but on second thought that is just about as depressing as the other option (geez again).
It was a good book, I think, but it's not my absolutely favorite narrative style. A person looking back telling someone else his life story is...interesting, because it comes together in a non-linear fashion, but less satisfying than seeing things play out in "live action" sort of scenes. Still, Anne Griffin on the whole managed to pull it off, and to that I've gotta give her props. And then a "are you kidding me Anne" because I'm still thinking about how sad this book is.
Second, what a sad book. Sad because, though it was a nicely unique story, it seems way too real. Specifically, it's indicative of the fate of 50% of the people who have found themselves a life partner. Geez. It's one of those things that I might prefer to be in denial about - or just hope that I'm in the 50% that dies before my life partner, but on second thought that is just about as depressing as the other option (geez again).
It was a good book, I think, but it's not my absolutely favorite narrative style. A person looking back telling someone else his life story is...interesting, because it comes together in a non-linear fashion, but less satisfying than seeing things play out in "live action" sort of scenes. Still, Anne Griffin on the whole managed to pull it off, and to that I've gotta give her props. And then a "are you kidding me Anne" because I'm still thinking about how sad this book is.
mariodias10's review against another edition
5.0
Uma história fantástica e com uma mensagem muito poderosa, um daqueles livros que nos faz pensar nos passos que demos na vida, o que poderíamos ter feito diferente e para relembrar as pessoas que nos marcaram.
suelie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
eleanorrosecugal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eile_mc's review against another edition
5.0
Can't believe this is a debut novel. Highly recommend, one that will stay with me. I found it to be layered and beautifully crafted with a clear voice as if talking to Maurice myself.
carlybarly6's review against another edition
3.0
This is a sweet story that reflects on the connectedness of life - on choices made and the need to reconcile the consequences of those decisions. Maurice is at the end of his life, trying to make peace by toasting the five people that have impacted him the most. Toasting, regretting, and perhaps, redeeming. Through these toasts we are granted entrance into the many vulnerabilities and stories that he has guarded so tightly, so proudly, so stubbornly throughout his life. I wasn’t glued to this novel, but when all is said, (see what I did there?!) I enjoyed it well enough.
pickwickthedodo's review against another edition
2.0
This book is tough for me to review because it started and ended really strong, but everything in the middle was incredibly underwhelming.
I genuinely was in tears, like half an hour into this audiobook. It was so sad. The set up for what the book actually is - an elderly man toasting the five most important people in his life - was great. I was totally in the mood to hear these toasts and learn about why these people were so important to him.
And then the toasts started and I disengaged completely. There were so many tangents and hangups on tiny things, I found it nearly impossible to stay engaged with the story. I'm sure I missed at least two hours of the book because it was so easy for my mind to wander. I didn't care about anything Maurice was saying. It was exhausting. I missed full chapter switches because I was so disinterested. Suddenly, I was on Chapter 5, and I didn't remember being told I was on Chapters 2-4. It was the longest short book I've ever read.
The last 45 minutes were much better, and the story felt much more like it related to Morris directly. Though you know how the book is going to end quite early on, that doesn't take away from the searing pain of listening to it play out. I genuinely was sobbing during my dinner vegetable prep, trying not to get tears all over my zucchini.
So, yeah. Strong start, strong finish, but everything in the middle made me want to turn the thing off.
I genuinely was in tears, like half an hour into this audiobook. It was so sad. The set up for what the book actually is - an elderly man toasting the five most important people in his life - was great. I was totally in the mood to hear these toasts and learn about why these people were so important to him.
And then the toasts started and I disengaged completely. There were so many tangents and hangups on tiny things, I found it nearly impossible to stay engaged with the story. I'm sure I missed at least two hours of the book because it was so easy for my mind to wander. I didn't care about anything Maurice was saying. It was exhausting. I missed full chapter switches because I was so disinterested. Suddenly, I was on Chapter 5, and I didn't remember being told I was on Chapters 2-4. It was the longest short book I've ever read.
The last 45 minutes were much better, and the story felt much more like it related to Morris directly. Though you know how the book is going to end quite early on, that doesn't take away from the searing pain of listening to it play out. I genuinely was sobbing during my dinner vegetable prep, trying not to get tears all over my zucchini.
So, yeah. Strong start, strong finish, but everything in the middle made me want to turn the thing off.