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inkandbooksforever's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcoholism
k_vira's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
Minor: Drug use
macyh3's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the concept was phenomenal. the chapters individually were perfectly structured, almost like little short stories that tie together into a whole. i loved seeing the relationships between the characters develop and change, sometimes moving backwards in time. the sibling and familial relationships felt really raw and real. The authors voice was really cohesive and witty, and a lot of the language was brilliant— just a brilliant writing style, i’ve never read anything quite like it.
cons… it took me a second to get over the mid-book hump, but i really enjoyed this book. slower than i usually like, and the jumps between family and time confused me sometimes. i ended up having to draw out a family tree to keep track of who was related to who. I wish that there were fewer characters to get into the complexities of each one, i feel like more could’ve been done.
Here are some quotes that stood out to me, simply because of her brilliant and unique writing style.
“Eric was in ever sense a wiry man, a runner with a small frame who must have once been told that blue complemented his eyes. Franny had never seen Eric in anything other than blue.”
“His daughter from the first marriage always needed money because she needed so much more than money but money was the easiest way for her to express those needs.”
“At the airport, Teresa handed over the tickets Bert had sent and put her children on the plane to Virginia without suitcases… Let Bert hit the ground running, she thought. They needed everything: he could start with toothbrushes and pajamas and work his way up...Beverly Cousins wanted her family? Have at it.”
and my personal favourite…
“The two sisters were connected by neither love nor mutual affinity but by a very small bathroom that could be entered from the bedroom on either side.”
cons… it took me a second to get over the mid-book hump, but i really enjoyed this book. slower than i usually like, and the jumps between family and time confused me sometimes. i ended up having to draw out a family tree to keep track of who was related to who. I wish that there were fewer characters to get into the complexities of each one, i feel like more could’ve been done.
Here are some quotes that stood out to me, simply because of her brilliant and unique writing style.
“Eric was in ever sense a wiry man, a runner with a small frame who must have once been told that blue complemented his eyes. Franny had never seen Eric in anything other than blue.”
“His daughter from the first marriage always needed money because she needed so much more than money but money was the easiest way for her to express those needs.”
“At the airport, Teresa handed over the tickets Bert had sent and put her children on the plane to Virginia without suitcases… Let Bert hit the ground running, she thought. They needed everything: he could start with toothbrushes and pajamas and work his way up...Beverly Cousins wanted her family? Have at it.”
and my personal favourite…
“The two sisters were connected by neither love nor mutual affinity but by a very small bathroom that could be entered from the bedroom on either side.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Cancer
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Infidelity
Minor: Drug use
agnesg's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Drug use
kashby's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol
v171's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm a sucker for multi-generational family dramas, and this one did not disappoint. I was really enamored with how charming each and every one of the characters were, complete with each of their flaws. Despite some characters getting far less attention than others, I still felt a deep connection to the full cast. That deep connection allowed me to really feel the emotions and pain the family went through over the years, from tragedy, to reconciliation, acceptance, and death. This is the story of a very modern family that I think we can all relate to in many ways. While I think some of the later chapters could have been shifted around for a more impactful message, I really enjoyed this book a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Terminal illness and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug use, and Racism
jeskian's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Drug use
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