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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
i rarely give books 5 stars, but this one hit the spot. love how the story is told through "the call" and "action", etc. love the voice, the father character, and how his veterinary calling/career is simple yet important to his small community. these characters feel like family. this place feels almost like home.
because my own son just died from a self-inflicted gunshot, i identify in a sense with the father's longing to find the answer to the question "who shot my son?" i also find interesting the supernatural-ish parts of his daily life (spaceship, spaceman) that the father eventually must come to terms with.
well-written, well-designed, simple style, great voice, and an overall fun and fabulous read.
because my own son just died from a self-inflicted gunshot, i identify in a sense with the father's longing to find the answer to the question "who shot my son?" i also find interesting the supernatural-ish parts of his daily life (spaceship, spaceman) that the father eventually must come to terms with.
well-written, well-designed, simple style, great voice, and an overall fun and fabulous read.
A strange and lovely book about a rural, large animal vet and his family (refreshingly non-dysfunctional family). It is written in on outline/log format, Yannick Murphy is able to say a lot with few words.
A terrific novel, so attuned to the rhythms of family life and marriage and parenthood. For a novel in which some major things happen it felt remarkably organic and unplotted, like life happening on its own accord, and how chaotic and magical and hilarious and sad that can be. So many novels try to make something magical out of ordinary living and fail because they make too much of it, or get too sentimental, but The Call — perhaps owing to the constraint of its narrative structure — avoids those pitfalls and lets the magic of the story come through quietly and unmediated by an author working too hard to tell us what everything is meant to mean, and so letting it mean so much more.
Interesting story about a small town vet and his family. I laughed at some parts that reminded me of my family, but could have done without some of the language (although it wasn't very much).
This is a really short novel, almost a short story. Really interesting structure, and so poignant. Deals with love, family and sense of place with kindness and affection in a way that was not cloying. Really enjoyed it and want to look at more by the author.
4 1/2 stars. While reading this book I got the impression that it must have been written on a dare. Like if someone dared you to use the words "persnickety lemur" in a graduation speech, there were so may random things in this book I thought it must be dare based. Miniature donkeys, spaceships, a rabbit in diapers! The format is also very unique, presented in a sort of abrupt journal style. It is a very weird, wonderful book. And when it comes right down to it, weird books are pretty much my favorite kind.
While I'd hesitate to say that The Call would be a universal hit for everyone, it is certainly one that keeps your mind going in between reading sessions. It is a bit of a puzzle, but a good one, and one certainly worth giving a try.
(My full review can be found on Glorified Love Letters.)
(My full review can be found on Glorified Love Letters.)
Love Love Loved this book! such a sweet story about a veterinarian who tells the story in a way like reading a journal. I didn't think I'd like the style but turns out it was lovely and easy to get into. Quick too.
I originally bought this book on the recommendation of the Indie List, which is my bible for good books to read. I read about 30 pages and realized I was starting to skim because it was not reaching me. Then I read a number of outstanding reviews of the book and decided to start over and really engage. After the first 60 pages, I gave up. I think it was in part the approach - set up more like a shorthand journal than a narrative, the difficulty in seeing the other characters as whole - I did skip to the last page, but in the end, can't recommend it.
i really like yannick murphy. i'm convinced she can write about anything and have it come out as pure flawless genius. it's like all the words and the content seem ordinary, but in her hands they are transformed into beautiful heartrending prose.