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tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
3.0
I knew this one would be a bit of a slog. It was a recommendation from my mom, and we have very different reading tastes. On the other hand, because she knows we have very different reading tastes, she saves her recommendations for books she really wants me to read. So I gave this one a shot.
And it's... definitely the kind of book my mom likes. With her reading tastes that are so very different from mine.
(It worked better if I stopped "reading" it and started "listening" to it; that is, when I imagined that the narrator was actually telling me the story. I still didn't like it very much, but some of the language choices worked better for me when I imagined them as actual speech.)
And it's... definitely the kind of book my mom likes. With her reading tastes that are so very different from mine.
(It worked better if I stopped "reading" it and started "listening" to it; that is, when I imagined that the narrator was actually telling me the story. I still didn't like it very much, but some of the language choices worked better for me when I imagined them as actual speech.)
ryner's review
3.0
Set in rural Oklahoma, this American family saga spanning four generations is touching, inspiring and bursting with wholesomeness punctuated by misery inflicted on good, kind folks by thoughtless and hurtful people (and, spoiler: justice rarely prevails). It is very well-written, and I would definitely read more by Cooper, but there was a bit too much heartbreak and exploitation for reading this to have been an enjoyable experience.
em_reads_books's review
3.0
Loved the narration, I can see how the storytelling thing wouldn't work for everyone but I really enjoyed that additional "voice" in the novel and the occasional perfectly phrased bits of wisdom it drops into the narrative. A sweet, quiet story but one with a lot of threads, some of which are left unresolved or feel too tangential.
queendbw's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mochagirl's review
2.0
Author J. California Cooper takes us to Wideland, Oklahoma to chronicle the lives, loves, and losses of two families in her latest offering entitled, Life Is Short But Wide. A 91 year-old narrates the story and immediately espouses Cooper's signature edicts of loving life, yourself, one another, and God. The "do right," work hard, save money, importance of education, etc. lessons are also overtly and repeatedly layered in the stories of Val and Irene, Joseph and Bertha, and their children. Their courtships and hardships are fodder for the take-away lessons of living life to the fullest and appreciating who and what one has in life.
Those familiar with Cooper's earlier work might experience deja vu with this new release. The characters evoke familiar auras of protagonists past; even their actions and reactions to physical, financial, and social challenges were evidenced in similar backgrounds and scenarios in The Wake of the Wind, In Search of Satisfaction, and Family. The reading experience is further diluted with some elongated passages and a tad too much repetition for this reader's liking. Of course, this will not deter die-hard fans of the author who will want to purchase the novel to complete their collection. However, newcomers might want to consider this literary legend's earlier works to experience her trademark bits of heart-warming anecdotes, down-to-earth wisdom, and folksy advice.
Those familiar with Cooper's earlier work might experience deja vu with this new release. The characters evoke familiar auras of protagonists past; even their actions and reactions to physical, financial, and social challenges were evidenced in similar backgrounds and scenarios in The Wake of the Wind, In Search of Satisfaction, and Family. The reading experience is further diluted with some elongated passages and a tad too much repetition for this reader's liking. Of course, this will not deter die-hard fans of the author who will want to purchase the novel to complete their collection. However, newcomers might want to consider this literary legend's earlier works to experience her trademark bits of heart-warming anecdotes, down-to-earth wisdom, and folksy advice.
audrarussellwrites's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first book I've ever read by J. California Cooper. I've known about her all of my life but never got around to reading any of her books until now.
Life is Short But Wide is the perfect title for this book. All of its characters go through life, some of them living their dreams, others letting their own self-limiting beliefs delay their dreams, and yet others letting their environment trick them into believing that pursuing dreams is a luxury they can't afford.
The book is narrated by an elderly woman who imparts her wisdom throughout the book. This was a very enjoyable read. The only reason I gave it four stars was because at the end I felt I was being preached to. J. California Cooper definitely highlights the struggle that Black people go through, and I appreciate that. But the last few pages seemed to be her, and not her characters, that were doing the talking.
I will definitely be reading more of her books.
Life is Short But Wide is the perfect title for this book. All of its characters go through life, some of them living their dreams, others letting their own self-limiting beliefs delay their dreams, and yet others letting their environment trick them into believing that pursuing dreams is a luxury they can't afford.
The book is narrated by an elderly woman who imparts her wisdom throughout the book. This was a very enjoyable read. The only reason I gave it four stars was because at the end I felt I was being preached to. J. California Cooper definitely highlights the struggle that Black people go through, and I appreciate that. But the last few pages seemed to be her, and not her characters, that were doing the talking.
I will definitely be reading more of her books.
danabrown's review
5.0
Love this author. There are always statements in her books that I have to write down. Important little truths.
rach_simone's review
2.0
2.5 stars
It was a very straightforward and easy read (though it got intense at times) about people living their lives. It was a little boring towards the end, but not a bad read if you're looking for an examination of people's lives.
It was a very straightforward and easy read (though it got intense at times) about people living their lives. It was a little boring towards the end, but not a bad read if you're looking for an examination of people's lives.
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