Scan barcode
elisabeth1st's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and quirky, but it meanders a bit too much at times.
thain's review against another edition
3.0
Meandering saga of a large cast of characters at a New England bowling alley in the 20th century. The first generation was the most interesting. I found the quirky style wearing after a while.
joannabooks23's review against another edition
5.0
I truly love her writing. I marveled at EM’s ability to weave this generational story with such real characters.
I loved all the (very accurate) New England wackiness and this is the first I’ve ever heard of the (very real) Molasses Flood!
I loved the creepy nuances tempered in straight through the very last sentence!
It’s an artsy story I think some will really enjoy!
5 stars because it will be one I’ll remember. A refreshing read!
I loved all the (very accurate) New England wackiness and this is the first I’ve ever heard of the (very real) Molasses Flood!
I loved the creepy nuances tempered in straight through the very last sentence!
It’s an artsy story I think some will really enjoy!
5 stars because it will be one I’ll remember. A refreshing read!
warrenh's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not entirely sure what I just read, but I now know a lot more about candlepin bowling and the great molasses flood of 1919. So that's something.
christiek's review against another edition
I loved The Giant's House, so I was really trying, but I hated pages 15-75. I love the writing and I don’t usually mind quirky, but we’re kept so at arm's length, it’s impossible to be engaged. DNF
traeh's review against another edition
1.0
I don’t even know how to properly review this book. I read it due to an annual Reading Challenge under the category of choosing a book because of its cover art. Bowlaway’s cover art is charming and the description made it sound whimsical and fun. In my opinion, it is odd and sporadic or disjointed. I stuck with it for the 371 pages, so that means it was at least a little entertaining or fascinating but it is not a novel I would recommend. Or maybe I just missed the point of the story altogether.
joeswam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
zarap's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I bought Bowlaway several years ago after seeing the author as part of a panel at a book festival, and I'm so glad I did as I haven't heard anything of it since. It's not a book to read for the plot, but definitely a good hang - I enjoyed spending time with all the characters over the years, though I wouldn't have minded more time with Bertha. I listened to the audiobook but own the hardcover, and I'd like to reread it at some point and underline all the lines I loved. I thought the ending was perfect.
(As a side note: I love the character names in this book. Louetta Mood absolutely takes first prize, though Cracker Graham is a close second.)
(As a side note: I love the character names in this book. Louetta Mood absolutely takes first prize, though Cracker Graham is a close second.)
itsgg's review against another edition
3.0
Some people seem to love a particular, nostalgic image of New England, and are very fond of stories that are never really more than quirky character studies of “interesting” New England residents. I am not one of them, and I needed more.