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tmleblanc's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't what I was expecting. It was set up kind of like [b:A Visit from the Goon Squad|7331435|A Visit from the Goon Squad|Jennifer Egan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1290480318s/7331435.jpg|8975330], but unlike [b:A Visit from the Goon Squad|7331435|A Visit from the Goon Squad|Jennifer Egan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1290480318s/7331435.jpg|8975330] the stories were more connected to each other and the characters were easier to connect with personally.
Each chapter/year was a snapshot of a different member of the family, how they saw and experienced the world. As the years went on, you could see how characters change as they grow up and experience the ups and downs of life. The writing is solid. There were some moments that made me tear up and others that got me kind of misty eyed. Overall, a decent read.
Each chapter/year was a snapshot of a different member of the family, how they saw and experienced the world. As the years went on, you could see how characters change as they grow up and experience the ups and downs of life. The writing is solid. There were some moments that made me tear up and others that got me kind of misty eyed. Overall, a decent read.
heartofoak1's review against another edition
5.0
absolutely loved this book! i don't know if it was more because of the time when it took place (early 70s- present time) or because each of the characters were so well drawn but the entire story was something i could relate to. the plot centers on an extended family and their relationships with each other and life as they see it. granted, i don't know anything about life in iowa or life as a farmer but i've got a family and that was enough to draw parallels.
stevienlcf's review against another edition
4.0
Jean Thompson tells an updated family saga that spans 30 years between 1973 and 2003, the time periods punctuated by references to national phenomena like "the tech bubble," and "the farm crisis" and culinary trends from carpaccio to pomegranate juice. The novel revolves around the Erickson family of Grenada, Iowa: Anita, the former prom queen who marries an Ames banker and becomes an embittered stay-at-home mom; Torrie, whose rebellious ambitions to attend college in New York and leave the Midwest behind are tragically derailed; Ryan, who resides in Chicago with his wife and children, rides the internet wave to financial success, and flirts with relationships outside of his marriage while investing in his hometown; and Blake, who remains in Grenada working construction while raising his family. The book -- each chapter of which is told from a different family member's perspective -- explores how we become ourselves and how we are dragged back into our pasts. The Ericksons eventually come home, physically, spiritually or both, and find comfort in what they had rejected.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
3.0
As we all know, all happy families are the same so people write about the unhappy ones. Unfortunately, I don't like reading about them.
I found it to be rather slow paced. I liked the multiple POVs but they switched without much psyoff. I never felt like I had a great deal of insight into anyone. Lots of tragedy, everyday disappointments and general unhappiness. Major things happen off stage and some things develop with no logical explanation.
I hope that most people's lives are not really this bleak.
I found it to be rather slow paced. I liked the multiple POVs but they switched without much psyoff. I never felt like I had a great deal of insight into anyone. Lots of tragedy, everyday disappointments and general unhappiness. Major things happen off stage and some things develop with no logical explanation.
I hope that most people's lives are not really this bleak.
brooke_review's review against another edition
4.0
This book offers a random snapshot of years in the life of an American family. It ends as abruptly as it begins, and in between, it pulls you into the lives of the characters. I really liked this book, but I can't say why. I just know that it held my interest, and kept me wondering what was going to happen next to the characters.
michellekmartin's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled to get through this book. I really liked the writing and I could connect with some characters about some feelings they had, but overall this book depressed the heck out of me. If she hadn't told the story so much from Ryan, Chip (Ray) and Anita's point of view maybe we would have gotten some sort of happiness out of this story.
jenleah's review against another edition
4.0
I really grew to love this book. It started off slowly, but once I knew the characters, I loved to hear about them from year to year. This book allowed you to be a voyeur looking into the life of a family. It seemed so genuine and the characters seemed completely authentic. I thought the writing was excellent and the characters each written with a unique voice. Sorry to not know how they are all doing in the year 2015.
appletonkelli's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful story about leaving and returning home.
jessica22's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0