Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
There is something funny to me when I think about giving this book a score directly down the middle. The protagonist (Al) would likely pop a Xanax seeing the number of stars I gave before reading the words and realizing I think the book is fine. I mean, it is JUST fine, but still not 'bad.'
There is some beautiful prose, the music playlists that are scattered throughout are thoughtful and playful, and there are even some good character moments. But overall, the book is extremely plot driven and Al is Holden Caulfield level of passive (but without the assistance of self-reflection and authorial metaphor to save them). Despite not 'liking' Al, I can see her. I can see the pain, the depression, the alcoholism (even if the author may not?!?! -- not sure on that honestly). That's why this is a mixed bag to me. Plus, I HAVE to give props to the cover designer who 100% sold me on reading this book with including the white-bic lighter in the design. Shows they know how to pander in a way that made me love and hate them.
There is some beautiful prose, the music playlists that are scattered throughout are thoughtful and playful, and there are even some good character moments. But overall, the book is extremely plot driven and Al is Holden Caulfield level of passive (but without the assistance of self-reflection and authorial metaphor to save them). Despite not 'liking' Al, I can see her. I can see the pain, the depression, the alcoholism (even if the author may not?!?! -- not sure on that honestly). That's why this is a mixed bag to me. Plus, I HAVE to give props to the cover designer who 100% sold me on reading this book with including the white-bic lighter in the design. Shows they know how to pander in a way that made me love and hate them.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In Lo Fi, Liz Riggs captures Nashville at the moment right before it became an "It City", navigated by messy-but-trying Al. The story is relatable and heartbreaking; Al's decisions may be (mostly) questionable, but you want her to find her way, find happiness.
This novel made me homesick, not just for Nashville, but for the city as it existed post-flood and pre-, well, everything that happened to make it what it is now.
Thank you, Riverhead and Netgalley, for an advance ebook in exchange for a fair review.
This novel made me homesick, not just for Nashville, but for the city as it existed post-flood and pre-, well, everything that happened to make it what it is now.
Thank you, Riverhead and Netgalley, for an advance ebook in exchange for a fair review.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Extra star because I was also in my mid-20s in Nashville in 2010 and felt like I lived/wrote half of this novel. There’s not much of a plot but that’s also life at that age in this city.
As someone who grew up going to shows every weekend in my late teens and 20s, this book embarrassed me and I DNF’d it 9% in. The dropping of band names constantly and immediate messiness of the character, the audio book reading (even at 1.5 speed) was dull and whiney. I just couldn’t give any more of my life to this book.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes