Reviews with content warning for Child death - Commonwealth

Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

34 reviews

katewhite77's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A Beautifully Written Family Saga

I don't know what took me so long to read a second Ann Patchet. I must have read State of Wonder about 10 years ago and also loved it but have only now picked up Commonwealth. Don’t think it will be leaving it another ten years

This novel is bookended by two parties 50 years apart, and we follow the Keatings and the Cousins' over those intervening years.

This is a meditation on how the briefist of moments can change the course of life entirely and how differing parenting styles can affect each child differently, both as children and adults.

I will say the plot does jump around somewhat without much signposting, but I think think this was intentional to make the reader route themselves in the story and encourage them to focus on character rather than plot.

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canngrob's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

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cassiebartelme's review against another edition

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emotional reflective

4.0

Am I ever disappointed with an Ann Patchett book? I don't think so. Her ability to weave together stories across time, space and characters is amazing.

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inkandbooksforever's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This story was not big on action. It focuses mainly on human interaction and the possibilities of life, how small choices can push someone to have a completely different life had they done something different. I think there is beauty in those relationships and interactions. However, it was confusing to keep track of all the characters and their connections to the other characters. I wish there was more plot but overall a good and fast read. Not boring, entertaining but might not read again.

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