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rachelsb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
graceevajean's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
i'm not sure it was quite the right time for me to encounter this book. it took me a very, very long time to connect with the story and the characters. i honestly didn't feel like i cared much for any of it until part three, the final part, and i only made it to part three because i didn't feel like it was worth dnf-ing. i hope to revisit this one down the line, and maybe discover new connections and pieces to like. this is my first experience with patchett's work, and i do look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
i'm not sure it was quite the right time for me to encounter this book. it took me a very, very long time to connect with the story and the characters. i honestly didn't feel like i cared much for any of it until part three, the final part, and i only made it to part three because i didn't feel like it was worth dnf-ing. i hope to revisit this one down the line, and maybe discover new connections and pieces to like. this is my first experience with patchett's work, and i do look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
jules1998's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.5
leonor_g_s's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
melsher's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
boathon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nostoneunturned's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
anna4ce's review against another edition
1.0
NOTHING. HAPPENS. IN. THIS. BOOK.
Liked Tom Hanks on audio, but I was forever hoping something interesting would happen but instead, it's a book of siblings being siblings with stunted emotional growth due to childhood trauma. Realistic? Pretty much. Captivating? Definitely not. Well developed characters? Meh.
Honestly, the author keeps writing about the main characters' mother being such a good person: "You just wouldn't understand. She wanted to help people." Like saying this enough times would elicit emotional ties and forgiveness after hundreds of pages of (or, in my case, hours of listening to) the consequences of abandonment by a parental figure.
Liked Tom Hanks on audio, but I was forever hoping something interesting would happen but instead, it's a book of siblings being siblings with stunted emotional growth due to childhood trauma. Realistic? Pretty much. Captivating? Definitely not. Well developed characters? Meh.
Honestly, the author keeps writing about the main characters' mother being such a good person: "You just wouldn't understand. She wanted to help people." Like saying this enough times would elicit emotional ties and forgiveness after hundreds of pages of (or, in my case, hours of listening to) the consequences of abandonment by a parental figure.
karenschiavelli's review against another edition
3.0
Really, it’s a 3.5 for me. Ann Patchett’s writing, to me, is the best of the best. I love the way she describes characters and sets the scene. I will continue to read her novels for that reason.
I loved reading the carefully constructed sentences when I remembered I was reading this book. And I loved the part of the book just before the ending.
But then it had a Hollywood ending. And I hate that. I keep trying not to hate it but I do. And I just couldn’t be excited about the story. It was not for me.
However, because the writing it so unbelievably wonderful, I will say that I liked this book very much.
I loved reading the carefully constructed sentences when I remembered I was reading this book. And I loved the part of the book just before the ending.
But then it had a Hollywood ending. And I hate that. I keep trying not to hate it but I do. And I just couldn’t be excited about the story. It was not for me.
However, because the writing it so unbelievably wonderful, I will say that I liked this book very much.
avibrantmind's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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? No
4.0