1.32k reviews for:

The wren, the wren

Anne Enright

3.6 AVERAGE

eroff99's review against another edition

4.0

reflective

studenison's review against another edition

4.0

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Reading this book felt like crossing Sally Rooney with Ali Smith, with a bit of Deborah Levy thrown in, with a gentle but occasionally menacing Irish pastoral lyricism in the poetry sections.

The voices are really well wrought, and the characters feel modern yet rooted. There's also a softness and forgiveness to the way the various traumas are related, but without sparing the details. Life goes on even after an illness, a death, a separation, an abusive relationship - Enright's exploration of what comes after is touching, painful at times, but refuses to wallow in pity or judgement. Excellent overall, and some beautiful linguistic touches.

jacquik83's review against another edition

slow-paced

sarah_61's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional 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

hazelf8's review against another edition

3.0

emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kate_pritchard's review against another edition

3.25

emotional reflective 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: Yes

elizabeth_reads_on's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

katierourke's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sb27's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Enjoyed reading about the women's lives much more than the short bit about the poet's life. 
Beautifully written,but not sure I'll read it again, so should have got it out of the library rather than buy it.

ailbhe's review against another edition

3.5

challenging mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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