Scan barcode
lil_grifta360's review against another edition
3.0
Reading the back cover blurb ruined my enjoyment of this book as it spoiled most of the plot and didn't leave me guessing much at all. This contributed to me feeling that the book dragged on and on. Despite being able to appreciate the craftsmanship of Savage, this was probably not the best book for me to "get back into reading."
One thing I did enjoy were the characters in this book who were consistent but grew as relationships revealed different parts of them. I'm going to be honest. The language was a little difficult for me. So much so that I totally missed the repressed homosexuality theme until the "afterword" section at the end. But, as soon as I read it, the puzzle pieces clicked together. And that is a nod to how clever the imagery was. The little mannerisms, the dialouge, the shift in relationships. All perfecto.
All in all, it was a great book, but I probably wouldn't read it again, hence the rating. Unless I needed to write an English essay...
***SUPER SPOILERY SPOILERS***
.
.
.
We follow brothers Phil (a repressed homosexual, which seeps out via homophobic and sexist comments - oh and his love for Bronco Henry), and his brother George (a simple, kind man). They head off to Beech, where they encounter Rose (a widow, who loves flowers and plays piano) and Peter (an intelligent boy with a lisp, often referred to as a sissy boy). Before Peter's father, Johnny (an alcoholic), commits suicide he asks him to look after his mother. Besides becoming a surgeon, this is the one thing he takes seriously. Rose and George marry. Phil is cold. Rose is nervous. Rose plays piano. Phil can play the banjo better. Rose becomes an alcoholic. Lola discovers Peter is killing and skinning animals (for science). Peter catches Phil naked in his little hideout by the stream. Phil and Peter become 'friends' over braiding some cow hide together to make a rope. American Indian families are displaced from their homeland, and so Edward takes his boy out to see where his father lays rest but is stopped by Phil, who is (of course) racist and turned away. But Rose, who is hospitable to all people, allows them to camp on their property. Rose sells cow hide. Peter has some handy... but the animal had anthrax (sneaky Peter). Phil is dead. Rose and George are happy. So happy Rose is inviting everyone to Christmas (hoo-rah).
One thing I did enjoy were the characters in this book who were consistent but grew as relationships revealed different parts of them. I'm going to be honest. The language was a little difficult for me. So much so that I totally missed the repressed homosexuality theme until the "afterword" section at the end. But, as soon as I read it, the puzzle pieces clicked together. And that is a nod to how clever the imagery was. The little mannerisms, the dialouge, the shift in relationships. All perfecto.
All in all, it was a great book, but I probably wouldn't read it again, hence the rating. Unless I needed to write an English essay...
***SUPER SPOILERY SPOILERS***
.
.
.
We follow brothers Phil (a repressed homosexual, which seeps out via homophobic and sexist comments - oh and his love for Bronco Henry), and his brother George (a simple, kind man). They head off to Beech, where they encounter Rose (a widow, who loves flowers and plays piano) and Peter (an intelligent boy with a lisp, often referred to as a sissy boy). Before Peter's father, Johnny (an alcoholic), commits suicide he asks him to look after his mother. Besides becoming a surgeon, this is the one thing he takes seriously. Rose and George marry. Phil is cold. Rose is nervous. Rose plays piano. Phil can play the banjo better. Rose becomes an alcoholic. Lola discovers Peter is killing and skinning animals (for science). Peter catches Phil naked in his little hideout by the stream. Phil and Peter become 'friends' over braiding some cow hide together to make a rope. American Indian families are displaced from their homeland, and so Edward takes his boy out to see where his father lays rest but is stopped by Phil, who is (of course) racist and turned away. But Rose, who is hospitable to all people, allows them to camp on their property. Rose sells cow hide. Peter has some handy... but the animal had anthrax (sneaky Peter). Phil is dead. Rose and George are happy. So happy Rose is inviting everyone to Christmas (hoo-rah).
smashproduct's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
baytamboury's review against another edition
3.0
not sure really how to feel. I think it's impressive Jane Campion pulled what she did out of this- I'm just not sure how she did.
cindy_f's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing storytelling! I loved this book from beginning to the very palpable end.
anvh_01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In my opinion, this is thomas savage's best work; I really enjoyed it, and the best part is Savage's introduction to every character, it's just so rich, his writing so clever, you get soaked in very easily.
rayarriz's review against another edition
5.0
At times the prose was a bit heavy for my tastes. But I did appreciate it's familiarity. The five stars is for the mood and the great twist ending.
mafii's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
maryriii's review against another edition
5.0
The promised "devastating twist of an ending" in the synopsis is indeed true to its word. I'm generally good at accurately predicting twists, but this one blew my mind.
Spoiler
Phil got what he deserved.danydiaz's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0