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reneesuz's review
3.0
a review of the book by my friend Ruth
http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-tour-this-fine-life.html
http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-tour-this-fine-life.html
daybreak1012's review against another edition
2.5
I've been making a point of reading books that have been on my TBR almost since I discovered platforms that allow you to track such things with great ease. If I am being fair, some books that I've had tagged for years now, when I read the synopsis, I promptly dismiss; I don't know if my tastes have just changed this much or if I was just indiscriminately adding books back then because the "shelves" were bare, but truthfully, I cannot imagine what I was thinking on some of them. I straddled the line with this book, part of me wondering if I would hate it and part hesitating for some reason upon which I could not seem to place my finger, so I boldly left this one on the list and determined to get to it in 2023, for better or worse.
What I liked about This Fine Life:
The book moved right along - It plowed straight ahead and reading was not a challenge. The pages turned easily, I was mildly curious how it would all play out, and if I am going to read something that is not really my thing, I have to say it took me next to no time to be done with.
What I didn't care for:
It tried way too hard - The flood of pop-culture references was never-ending. Every other page, if not more frequently, there was a mention of a famous person, a song, a current event, fashion description, slang. I wanted to scream "I KNOW WHEN WE ARE!!" I like to be immersed in the setting, but I felt like the author was trying to drown me with it.
I felt like I was being insulted in some backhanded way - I should be clear that this was, to some degree, Christian fiction (we'll discuss that in more depth in a minute), and I don't know what Protestant denomination the author is herself, but I will tell you without a doubt, it isn't Lutheran, because she did not portray it accurately in the slightest. (Full disclosure: as a Lutheran, I feel qualified to make this determination.) There's a widespread acknowledgement that Lutherans make a lot of other denominations uncomfortable; we're too Protestant for the Roman Catholics, too Catholic for the Protestants. Whatever the author felt she knew about being Lutheran though, it missed the mark. I feel strongly about my beliefs and the doctrine we hold, and it is a surefire way to get my hackles up to misrepresent them.
The writing...wasn't that great - There was a time I might not have noticed this as readily, but having been fortunate to find some incredibly gifted authors in the last decade or so, I can say with conviction that I like a story to unfold for me. I like descriptors (within reason) and I like to be immersed in the story. I do not like to just be talked at, be told what's happening rather than observing it for myself. Ultimately, this felt like an exceptionally lengthy essay in its voice.
The digital edition I read - I can't speak for every digital copy of this book, but there were more than a half dozen errors in the one my library shelves. Some spelling, others weird random numbers popping up in the middle of words sometimes. A thorough proofread was sorely needed. There are times I can overlook this, but it was to the point of distraction.
The cast of characters - Some were two-dimensional. Some were annoying. Some were so predictable that they were practically caricatures. I was curious about them, but they ran shallow for the most part, and the only character I was rooting for only made an appearance toward the very end of the book in a most dramatic fashion.
What left me conflicted:
I couldn't tell if the portrayal of the late 1950s into the early 60s was all that accurate - On the one hand, there were all those pop culture flashing neon signs, but on the other, I kept feeling as though something was slightly off and that something a bit too contemporary had slipped in unannounced. And given my point about the incorrect image of Lutheranism that was drawn, I was left to wonder how well researched the setting and timeline really were.
Pace - This book moved, no doubt about it. I can't remember the last time I plowed through so many pages. This was more a reflection of easy-to-read writing more than any compelling drive to know what happened next. And then it was like the author got to page 250 and opened the story full throttle; without fanfare, we were pulling into the station and being shoved off the train. That's all, folks, we're at the end of the line, get out. It had reached this lovely plot progression and tension...and then it was just...over.
Worth noting:
For Christian fiction, there were a lot of bedroom references - None specifically graphic, but certainly more suggestive than one would expect from this genre, be they between spouses or not. And the sheer volume of them felt almost like a preoccupation. It gave the impression that by mentioning God and having a preacher be a main character, you get the Christian fiction tag, but then toss in some sex for the secular draw. I don't know if that was how it was planned, but it's for sure how it read.
I could have lived without reading this. It was not memorable and I'd be shocked to recall a bit of it before the year closes. But I am feeling generous, and thus, as it was a quick read that at least kept me curious enough to continue turning pages, we'll go with 2.5 stars. But I am equally certain that this isn't an author meant for me and I won't be adding anything else of hers to my list.
The book moved right along - It plowed straight ahead and reading was not a challenge. The pages turned easily, I was mildly curious how it would all play out, and if I am going to read something that is not really my thing, I have to say it took me next to no time to be done with.
What I didn't care for:
It tried way too hard - The flood of pop-culture references was never-ending. Every other page, if not more frequently, there was a mention of a famous person, a song, a current event, fashion description, slang. I wanted to scream "I KNOW WHEN WE ARE!!" I like to be immersed in the setting, but I felt like the author was trying to drown me with it.
I felt like I was being insulted in some backhanded way - I should be clear that this was, to some degree, Christian fiction (we'll discuss that in more depth in a minute), and I don't know what Protestant denomination the author is herself, but I will tell you without a doubt, it isn't Lutheran, because she did not portray it accurately in the slightest. (Full disclosure: as a Lutheran, I feel qualified to make this determination.) There's a widespread acknowledgement that Lutherans make a lot of other denominations uncomfortable; we're too Protestant for the Roman Catholics, too Catholic for the Protestants. Whatever the author felt she knew about being Lutheran though, it missed the mark. I feel strongly about my beliefs and the doctrine we hold, and it is a surefire way to get my hackles up to misrepresent them.
The writing...wasn't that great - There was a time I might not have noticed this as readily, but having been fortunate to find some incredibly gifted authors in the last decade or so, I can say with conviction that I like a story to unfold for me. I like descriptors (within reason) and I like to be immersed in the story. I do not like to just be talked at, be told what's happening rather than observing it for myself. Ultimately, this felt like an exceptionally lengthy essay in its voice.
The digital edition I read - I can't speak for every digital copy of this book, but there were more than a half dozen errors in the one my library shelves. Some spelling, others weird random numbers popping up in the middle of words sometimes. A thorough proofread was sorely needed. There are times I can overlook this, but it was to the point of distraction.
The cast of characters - Some were two-dimensional. Some were annoying. Some were so predictable that they were practically caricatures. I was curious about them, but they ran shallow for the most part, and the only character I was rooting for only made an appearance toward the very end of the book in a most dramatic fashion.
What left me conflicted:
I couldn't tell if the portrayal of the late 1950s into the early 60s was all that accurate - On the one hand, there were all those pop culture flashing neon signs, but on the other, I kept feeling as though something was slightly off and that something a bit too contemporary had slipped in unannounced. And given my point about the incorrect image of Lutheranism that was drawn, I was left to wonder how well researched the setting and timeline really were.
Pace - This book moved, no doubt about it. I can't remember the last time I plowed through so many pages. This was more a reflection of easy-to-read writing more than any compelling drive to know what happened next. And then it was like the author got to page 250 and opened the story full throttle; without fanfare, we were pulling into the station and being shoved off the train. That's all, folks, we're at the end of the line, get out. It had reached this lovely plot progression and tension...and then it was just...over.
Worth noting:
For Christian fiction, there were a lot of bedroom references - None specifically graphic, but certainly more suggestive than one would expect from this genre, be they between spouses or not. And the sheer volume of them felt almost like a preoccupation. It gave the impression that by mentioning God and having a preacher be a main character, you get the Christian fiction tag, but then toss in some sex for the secular draw. I don't know if that was how it was planned, but it's for sure how it read.
I could have lived without reading this. It was not memorable and I'd be shocked to recall a bit of it before the year closes. But I am feeling generous, and thus, as it was a quick read that at least kept me curious enough to continue turning pages, we'll go with 2.5 stars. But I am equally certain that this isn't an author meant for me and I won't be adding anything else of hers to my list.
rachelreadwhat's review
3.0
I felt like there was so much more this book could have done with the setting - the early 1960s in Georgia. The characters were so focused on themselves, to the exclusion of the rest of the world, that it could have been set in the 2000s with a few tweaks. My only other problem with this novel was the serious lack of communication between the main characters - I wasn't quite sure why they liked each other in the first place.
shammons's review
4.0
A freebie that I got for my Kindle. I've read the original Pot Luck Series books and enjoyed them, and have been meaning to read the subsequent catering series books, but haven't gotten to them yet. I didn't realize she was writing stand-alone books without her co-author, until I saw this book offered at Amazon. I really enjoyed it, it was character driven, coming of age book set in the South in the 60's. Engrossing read for me :)
kgormley's review
5.0
This was the first book by Ms. Everson I'd ever read ... loved it. Will definitely look for others by her.
jennahack's review
4.0
I REALLY enjoyed this book. It's a very simple book based in the 50s and about a young woman and her journey into marriage. It expounds upon her and her husband's young marriage and how they grew together in a challenging time.
It took a religious turn that I didn't expect. As a christian, I enjoyed the unexpected twist and thought it helped the story be that much more dramatic.
It took a religious turn that I didn't expect. As a christian, I enjoyed the unexpected twist and thought it helped the story be that much more dramatic.
brittsbooknook's review
4.0
This book surprised me with how much I enjoyed it! Not a storyline or time period I would normally choose. Very good, 4 stars. :)