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mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
These stories of the complexity of domestic life and relationships pulled me in. Stayed up past my bedtime to finish.
betweenbookends's review against another edition
4.5
Two emotionally rich miniature epics that examine the subtleties and complexities of family dynamics in rural / small town America. Smiley is a writer of such rare, formidable talent. She manages to bring into being such depth of character and psychological intricacy in a 100 pages what other writers struggle to achieve in 500 pages. Her writing is incredibly self-assured, compelling and effortless in the very best way.
Ordinary Love was extraordinary. But Good Will, that was pure perfection of all that a novella can be.
Ordinary Love was extraordinary. But Good Will, that was pure perfection of all that a novella can be.
carlacarinreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
kiiiirannnn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
leah4098's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
5.0
Deirdre Barber lent me this, and maybe it was partly the right timing, but I’m surprised I don’t hear about it more often. Two perfect little vignettes—well, much more than that at the same time.
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed these two novellas - felt like there was good character development for both novellas.
Ordinary Love was about the changing nature of the mother-child relationship as the children become adults.
Good Will was interesting. A small family tries to sustain itself as much as possible by living off the land. Despite this, they send their son to the public school, and his envy of a little girl creates difficulties within their family.
Ordinary Love was about the changing nature of the mother-child relationship as the children become adults.
Good Will was interesting. A small family tries to sustain itself as much as possible by living off the land. Despite this, they send their son to the public school, and his envy of a little girl creates difficulties within their family.
mweisenfeld's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dgodek's review against another edition
4.0
Liked the first novella well enough, but really enjoyed the second one.
ryn_k's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75