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britnoe's review
3.0
It is a bold move to write a fictional memoir in which the main character comes across, and reads in its’ entirety, the memoir of his grandfather, particularly in a book that nears a thousand pages in length
vmtonn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mchake's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
rsutton06's review
5.0
Just like She's Come Undone, Lamb's voice in this novel is stunning. His character development is deep and masterful. The plot is also intricate but keeps the reader fully engaged throughout. There is also a wonderful twist at the end.
katlizlove's review
4.0
I liked this book overall, quite a bit, although some of the sadness hit a little too close to home. I always love reading books where I have almost no immediate personality traits in common with the main character and the author does such a good job on the interiory, that I understand them as I would myself.
I did not enjoy, so much, the grandfather’s writing/story but I think it was probably necessary to story. The bulk of that writing and the time it took up was the reason I felt the book was a four star instead of a five. Happy to have spent time on this novel.
I did not enjoy, so much, the grandfather’s writing/story but I think it was probably necessary to story. The bulk of that writing and the time it took up was the reason I felt the book was a four star instead of a five. Happy to have spent time on this novel.
megsy13's review
3.0
It’s closer to 3.5 stars.
A slow burn, with some truly serious subject matter but told with so much heart
A slow burn, with some truly serious subject matter but told with so much heart
yourfriendgil's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
suvata's review
4.0
Continuing my TBR project:
This is one the oldest selection on my TBR list - Originally added January 20, 2017.
Wow! I flew through this book; just couldn’t put it down. I need to check out the rest of his catalog.
This is one the oldest selection on my TBR list - Originally added January 20, 2017.
Wow! I flew through this book; just couldn’t put it down. I need to check out the rest of his catalog.
book_concierge's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Lamb writes the psychoanalytic process so well. However, this book bogged down with unnecessary detail (the grandfather's diary, for example).
Twin brothers, one of whom is schizophrenic, struggle to find individual identities. Tom commits a horrific act of self-mutilation and Dominick struggles to "save" Tom - spiraling out of control himself. Only when Dominick can come to grips with his anger (at Tom, at his stepfather, at his late mother, at his grandfather, at his "missing" father) can he ultimately forgive those closest to him - and himself. The ending is a little too neat.
Lamb writes the psychoanalytic process so well. However, this book bogged down with unnecessary detail (the grandfather's diary, for example).
Twin brothers, one of whom is schizophrenic, struggle to find individual identities. Tom commits a horrific act of self-mutilation and Dominick struggles to "save" Tom - spiraling out of control himself. Only when Dominick can come to grips with his anger (at Tom, at his stepfather, at his late mother, at his grandfather, at his "missing" father) can he ultimately forgive those closest to him - and himself. The ending is a little too neat.