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apetruce's review
2.0
I thought it would be a multi-generational book about Polish women, al la Amy Tan. But it turned out to be about a daughter dealing with her mother's alcoholism. Cautionary, I suppose, but not escapist.
suannelaqueur's review
4.0
A fantastic read. Starts with a recipe for Pierogi and ends with one for poppyseed cake. In between, four generations of Polish-American women talk, cook, argue, sew each other's wedding dresses, tell stories, and understand and misunderstand each other in the way only mothers and daughters can. Pietrzyk has a nifty, uncluttered prose style and above all, a keen ear for the way women really do talk. Loved it!
theresidentbookworm's review
3.0
One thing that set Pears on a Willow Tree from all of the other books we've read in 20th Century Lit for me was the fact that it was set largely in Detroit, which I am from. I've never read a novel like it before, one that used the city and the community without that being the certain issue of the novel. I loved reading on and seeing little things that are (to be totally cheesy) Pure Michigan featured: Vernors, the Tigers, etc.
I felt more connected to this novel and these characters than any of the other novels I've read this semester despite its faults. I could identify with Ginger, who just wanted to leave the bleak city behind for somewhere brighter and better, because people raised near and in Detroit usually respond one of two ways: they stay forever or they leave as soon as they can. There is no third option, not in Michigan. Detroit is not a metropolitan. I've only ever seen it dying. Moving away from my personal basis, I thought the narratives were woven together nicely, and I enjoyed getting into each character's head. I did feel like it got confusing keep the whole family straight, and certain plot lines were picked up and dropped far too easily. I was left with more questions than answers by the end of Pears on a Willow Tree, and I didn't like that.
Overall, however, the four women at the heart of this novel captured my attention and earned my sympathy, and I could not help but marvel at their strength and love. Perhaps the novel could've been tweaked here and there, the reason for the three star rating, to make it more cohesive, but I did appreciate a book that so honestly portrayed Detroit and the people that come from there without being cliche. Definitely recommended for metro-Detroit natives!
I felt more connected to this novel and these characters than any of the other novels I've read this semester despite its faults. I could identify with Ginger, who just wanted to leave the bleak city behind for somewhere brighter and better, because people raised near and in Detroit usually respond one of two ways: they stay forever or they leave as soon as they can. There is no third option, not in Michigan. Detroit is not a metropolitan. I've only ever seen it dying. Moving away from my personal basis, I thought the narratives were woven together nicely, and I enjoyed getting into each character's head. I did feel like it got confusing keep the whole family straight, and certain plot lines were picked up and dropped far too easily. I was left with more questions than answers by the end of Pears on a Willow Tree, and I didn't like that.
Overall, however, the four women at the heart of this novel captured my attention and earned my sympathy, and I could not help but marvel at their strength and love. Perhaps the novel could've been tweaked here and there, the reason for the three star rating, to make it more cohesive, but I did appreciate a book that so honestly portrayed Detroit and the people that come from there without being cliche. Definitely recommended for metro-Detroit natives!
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