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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
What a lovely and beautifully written book. The protagonist is 14 years old and fantasizes about living in Medieval times, with an uncle dying of AIDS (around 1987). YA themes, but more than your typical YA novel. Detailed descriptions of NYC and painting. It really took me back to the 80s.
Rarely do I cry when reading a book but this book was so honest and heartbreaking I couldn't stop myself. I look forward to this author's next book.
I had a hard time putting this book down. It's a beautiful story, laced with melancholy and gentle humor.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
Absolutely, heartbreakingly beautiful.
I didn't know what to expect when I began this book, but wowza, I really, really enjoyed it. The story was so poignant, so personal, so raw at times but also quite beautiful -- I couldn't put it down for long, kept wanting to venture back to it as quickly as I could. A love story in all the strangest ways, Brunt's novel captivated me and thrust me right into the middle of the family -- a family torn apart by misunderstandings and broken allegiances, a family grappling with grief and struggling to remain intact throughout. Fantastic writing, fantastic story. One of the best books I've read in a long, long time.
The story grew on me
It took me a long time to get into this book. Part of it was the writing style, part of it was the story itself. But in the end, this is one of the most beautiful stories of human relationships that I’ve ever read and the last third of the book just flew by. I love that the characters are deeply imperfect and I really loved living inside June’s perspective.
It took me a long time to get into this book. Part of it was the writing style, part of it was the story itself. But in the end, this is one of the most beautiful stories of human relationships that I’ve ever read and the last third of the book just flew by. I love that the characters are deeply imperfect and I really loved living inside June’s perspective.
This book truly broke my heart.
The human heart gives us too many emotions sometimes and we don't know what to do with them or how to act them out.
I truly adored this book, so many of the situations and reactions are too true in real life.
If you would like to feel your heart ache, go on and read this book.
If you need something non-morbid, avoid this book.
But put this book on your "to read" shelf because it is so touching.
The human heart gives us too many emotions sometimes and we don't know what to do with them or how to act them out.
I truly adored this book, so many of the situations and reactions are too true in real life.
If you would like to feel your heart ache, go on and read this book.
If you need something non-morbid, avoid this book.
But put this book on your "to read" shelf because it is so touching.
Love. Some authors can portray what it's like to be inside the head of a 14 year old girl. This is so right it's like coming home.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm a few years younger than Carol Rifka Brunt's character June - so my memories of the 80s are very different. I wasn't really aware of AIDS in 1987 and I take for granted that we've come so far in terms of acceptance and understanding.
I really related to June in many ways - I never felt like I fit in either. I did question why her parents didn't notice their phone bill - but I guess they were busy people and didn't really see what June or their other daughter, Greta, were up to at all. The strained relationships and things that went unsaid made me sad. There are lots of bittersweet moments in this book, but it really is a great story about family and friendship.
I also like books set in places where I've been, and aside from NYC, most of the book takes place in Westchester County, where I worked for years.
I really related to June in many ways - I never felt like I fit in either. I did question why her parents didn't notice their phone bill - but I guess they were busy people and didn't really see what June or their other daughter, Greta, were up to at all. The strained relationships and things that went unsaid made me sad. There are lots of bittersweet moments in this book, but it really is a great story about family and friendship.
I also like books set in places where I've been, and aside from NYC, most of the book takes place in Westchester County, where I worked for years.