Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought that this book deserved 2.5 stars, but that wasn't an option. At times, I liked it. At other times, I just thought it was okay. Admittedly, I liked it better after I read it and then read Ann Patchett's foreword. Allow me to explain.
The All of It is about age-old concerns: what it means to be human, desire, forbidden yearning, morality, etc. However, it just doesn't hit me in the stomach like some books do. It just didn't make me feel very much. I admired the prose. The imagery was spectacular. There were times where the prose seemed poetic. Haien is obviously a skilled writer, and yet there was something missing.
Maybe it's because I grew up as a part of a generation that is shocked by absolutely nothing...I did not feel myself judging Enda for her past and for her decisions and "sins"; I did not come up against the judgmental part of myself as I read. I also did not feel the priest's emotions. I could see the scenes in my mind. Again, the imagery was wonderful. However, the descriptions of thoughts and emotions just didn't make me feel very much. It's hard to put my finger on what is missing, as emotions are elusive and mysterious in and of themselves. However, this book did not make me feel anything unusual and I feel that I will forget it in a few months.
The All of It is about age-old concerns: what it means to be human, desire, forbidden yearning, morality, etc. However, it just doesn't hit me in the stomach like some books do. It just didn't make me feel very much. I admired the prose. The imagery was spectacular. There were times where the prose seemed poetic. Haien is obviously a skilled writer, and yet there was something missing.
Maybe it's because I grew up as a part of a generation that is shocked by absolutely nothing...I did not feel myself judging Enda for her past and for her decisions and "sins"; I did not come up against the judgmental part of myself as I read. I also did not feel the priest's emotions. I could see the scenes in my mind. Again, the imagery was wonderful. However, the descriptions of thoughts and emotions just didn't make me feel very much. It's hard to put my finger on what is missing, as emotions are elusive and mysterious in and of themselves. However, this book did not make me feel anything unusual and I feel that I will forget it in a few months.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lovely and sweet. It took me a bit to realize that this was not the story of Kevin and Enda, but the tale of a parish priest who is searching for something more in his life. I liked both what was written and what was left unsaid. Morality, integrity and love have so many facets. Thanks to my sister in law for sharing this. Now I have to figure out who Ann Patchett is.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well written and reminded me a bit of a Claire Keegan book but not quite as good. A different tale of survival and also gave me some thoughts to think about regarding judgement.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice mini novel, can read it in a day, interesting perspective on judging others.