Reviews

The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright

genevieve_clerke's review

3.75

This book was so so so well written. Every sentence was stunningggg and it kind of gave me Sally Rooney vibes. Overall I thought it was very good and worth reading 

sarahmoran27's review

challenging emotional 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

4.25

padmaja's review against another edition

emotional reflective

4.75

nadia's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

Disclaimer: I read this book in one day, while exhausted, in order to finish in time before the Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Prize winner announcement.

I went into this book with low expectations based on little tidbits I'd seen and heard from others and I found myself really taking to the writing style and I (bar one time) liked the multiple POVs. I also really liked how Enright played with the concept of memory and had recurring thoughts/moments crop up across different chapters and perspectives.

However, something about the book just didn't fully click. I felt detached from the characters and the poetry parts didn't really do much for me (though, maybe they would have had more impact had I not been rushing to finish the book). I did like the idea of weaving them in though!

Final Women's Prize 2024 Fiction Shortlist rankings:

1.  Brotherless Night
2. River East, River West
3. Enter Ghost
4. Soldier Sailor
5. Restless Dolly Maunder
6. The Wren, The Wren

karrative's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I did not connect to any of the characters in this book so it was a meh for me. I presume the Women's Prize shortlisting is mainly due to the incorporation of the poems but I am also not a fan of poetry really so didn't have the tools or the sensitivity to appreciate that. 
I did enjoy reading about sex from the female gaze perspective. I think this is still somewhat underexplored in fiction, in particular in a kind of intergenerational setting. And in general I liked Nell's parts the most. Althoguh I did not get the appeal of either Felim or David and thus the contrast between them also got a little bit lost on me. And maybe I am small minded for this but I was impressed how well Anne, in her sixties, writes young women. 
Surprisingly, although I rolled my eyes when Phil's chapter appeared (why do we need to hear more from the man who left??), parts of his chapter stayed with me. THe thought of that single father cutting off his daughter's hair for being rumoured to have gone on a walk with Phil (11 year old boy), was so fucking terrifying. And unprocessed, clearly would fuck her and him up. The impact on him made me think about the farther in Ordinary Human FAilings taking out his wife leaving him on his son. How often is shit men do later due to some unprocessed hurt from/about a women. 

trying to put a shape on a man who was in love with his own disappointment, who nursed it and sought it out p. 169

a table full of pints around which stupid, large opinions might be aired p.104

lotties_booked's review

slow-paced

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

3.0

serrasa's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

bluelilyblue's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse

Minor: Cancer

teigancollins's review

reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

marksid's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Anne Enright really doesn't like men. We are all needy, controlling, infantile bastards... Until she has the good grace to introduce a decent enough chap in the final chapters. Between the overwrought sentences and damaged characters it can become overwhelming. But the craftsmanship of actual novel writing is so finely attuned that the author can be forgiven almost anything.