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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF 30%
J’ai pas envie de lire ça. Vraiment j’en ai lu un tiers et j’ai pas envie de lire un bouquin sur une famille qui se déchire (et potentiellement se recompose j’en sais rien) après la mort d’un enfant. J’ai la flemme, la vie est pas drôle, je veux lire des trucs chouettes.
J’ai pas envie de lire ça. Vraiment j’en ai lu un tiers et j’ai pas envie de lire un bouquin sur une famille qui se déchire (et potentiellement se recompose j’en sais rien) après la mort d’un enfant. J’ai la flemme, la vie est pas drôle, je veux lire des trucs chouettes.
I liked Meredith Hall's writing style and the layout of the book. The plot was definitely not what I was expecting. I kept talking to the characters as I was reading the book...trying to get them to do the right thing. Overall liked it.
Written for Cursor Literary application:
Simple, elegant writing brings to life the individuals in the Senter family, living a largely self-contained life in rural Maine in the 1950s. After a devastating loss, each family member spins away from the connective tissue of their farm, losing one another and themselves in individually held grief before coming back together. I had initially borrowed Beneficence from a library, but almost immediately purchased a copy so that I could write in it, underlining the most poignant of Hall’s beautifully stark descriptions of heartache, anger, forgiveness, and love.
Simple, elegant writing brings to life the individuals in the Senter family, living a largely self-contained life in rural Maine in the 1950s. After a devastating loss, each family member spins away from the connective tissue of their farm, losing one another and themselves in individually held grief before coming back together. I had initially borrowed Beneficence from a library, but almost immediately purchased a copy so that I could write in it, underlining the most poignant of Hall’s beautifully stark descriptions of heartache, anger, forgiveness, and love.
This is a book that broke my heart over and over. But it also brought me a bit of peace and acceptance I have searched for over many years for the ways that grief have shaped my family. Thank you, Meredith Hall.
Absolutely gorgeous writing. The poetry is sublime. The film major in me hopes this was optioned. If you have ever seen Nick Offerman in a dramatic role, particularly on stage, you'll understand why I can see him as Tup. Unfortunately, I predict Bradley Cooper might be cast. The themes are beautiful and harsh. The consistent use of ship symbolism would be amazing on a stage adaptation.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
This book was just ok. A story about forgiveness. I did the audiobook. Not sure I could have read it. It was kind of slow for me. Found myself fast forwarding on the last few chapters.