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pam2375's review against another edition
3.0
This was just plain sad. So much unhappiness throughout the book. If you are looking for the potential of a good ugly cry, pick up this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced readers copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced readers copy.
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
My Thoughts: Generational stories are often among my favorites, as are books about women and those about dysfunctional families. With this trifecta of qualities that appeal to me, I’d expected A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl to be among my favorites for 2018, and there was certainly much I truly enjoyed. As the novel evolved I admired the way Jean Thompson created three unique women, while maintaining many parallels between them. Two found themselves pregnant by men they weren’t married to, each having their own interesting circumstances. Two only softened toward their mothers as the end of life approached. Two found themselves involved with men more interested in computers, TV or video games than in relationships.
“When she walked in, Ray was sitting in front of the television with his laptop open. He was playing World of Warcraft and watching SportsCenter. Incredible. When has men decided to stop growing up?”
And sadly, all three catered to the men in their lives.
“Although she had promised herself never to do so, she had ended up with a man just like her father, at least in all the ways that counted.”
This was exactly where A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl began to break down for me. I found almost all the men horrid, and grew weary of the women who made it so easy for the men to be that way. Laura, the middle of three women in this story, proved to be the most guilty by putting her entire life second to both her husband and her son. She just continued to take it, to play nice and to forgive. I know this is a common flaw in women, but as a story I simply got tired of it. In the end, Grace left the reader with a bit of hope, but by then I’d stopped caring. Grade: B-
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Simon & Schuster, in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/mini-reviews-cloud-shape-girl-thompson-well-behaved-woman-fowler/
“When she walked in, Ray was sitting in front of the television with his laptop open. He was playing World of Warcraft and watching SportsCenter. Incredible. When has men decided to stop growing up?”
And sadly, all three catered to the men in their lives.
“Although she had promised herself never to do so, she had ended up with a man just like her father, at least in all the ways that counted.”
This was exactly where A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl began to break down for me. I found almost all the men horrid, and grew weary of the women who made it so easy for the men to be that way. Laura, the middle of three women in this story, proved to be the most guilty by putting her entire life second to both her husband and her son. She just continued to take it, to play nice and to forgive. I know this is a common flaw in women, but as a story I simply got tired of it. In the end, Grace left the reader with a bit of hope, but by then I’d stopped caring. Grade: B-
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Simon & Schuster, in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/mini-reviews-cloud-shape-girl-thompson-well-behaved-woman-fowler/
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Buy the Audiobook! Cassandra Campbell was amazing, as always. More to come.
ime0509's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
smittenforfiction's review against another edition
3.0
We all have a little dysfunction in our family, but I felt that the unhappiness in A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl felt exaggerated, and overwhelming. The writing itself is beautiful, and I know a lot of readers that love this kind of narrative. It just wasn't for me. I'm discovering that I'm very picky about the women's lit that I like.
There are big themes in this story: heartbreak, marriage, family dysfunction, alcoholism, drug abuse, death, grief, mortality.
“But it was hard not to think of her mother as she moved from the sink to the oven and back again, tasting and chopping and doing her best impersonation of her mother. She felt, not a presence, exactly. Something more earthbound, a better understanding, perhaps, of her mother and the life she lived. The endless small chores, the worries, never enough time, and always the barely movable obstacles of her husband and children.”
I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters, and had a really hard time remembering who was who.
This isn't for the readers who like a fast-moving plot, or surprises and action. It's a slow-burn, introspective novel that will make you think of your own mother, and whether you are like her.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
There are big themes in this story: heartbreak, marriage, family dysfunction, alcoholism, drug abuse, death, grief, mortality.
“But it was hard not to think of her mother as she moved from the sink to the oven and back again, tasting and chopping and doing her best impersonation of her mother. She felt, not a presence, exactly. Something more earthbound, a better understanding, perhaps, of her mother and the life she lived. The endless small chores, the worries, never enough time, and always the barely movable obstacles of her husband and children.”
I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters, and had a really hard time remembering who was who.
This isn't for the readers who like a fast-moving plot, or surprises and action. It's a slow-burn, introspective novel that will make you think of your own mother, and whether you are like her.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
lilcoop71's review against another edition
4.0
There's so much sadness in this book, and such a fine ending.
thejessiejoy's review against another edition
1.0
Sometimes I think people vote down books for no good reason, so I gave this one a shot and it was BAD. Actively terrible. The first 2/3 was so boring I had to force myself through. And then the last third … if Grace doesn’t end up being my least favorite character of the year, I’ll be surprised. Everyone thought she hung the moon, but she was absolutely horrid. Yuck. So glad to be done with this. One star is giving it too much credit.
dcmr's review against another edition
2.0
Always a skilled writer, Jean Thompson is excellent with characters and tone, but this novel did not move me as her previous work had. My favorites of her novels are: "The Year We Left Home" and "The Humanity Project."
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
2018; Simon & Schuster Canada
(Review Not on Blog)
This is my first novel by Jean Thompson and it will not be my last. I already have a few titles in mind. "A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl is a poignant novel about three generations of the Wise family—Evelyn, Laura, and Grace—as they hunt for contentment amid chaos of their own making." (Amazon) What I loved about this novel, is that we see how each woman tries to live her life on her own terms within the era setting they were living in. While at times the characters - primary and secondary- can appear unlikable they are also well written and realistic, in my opinion. This is an engaging and well-written novel and I highly recommended.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
2018; Simon & Schuster Canada
(Review Not on Blog)
This is my first novel by Jean Thompson and it will not be my last. I already have a few titles in mind. "A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl is a poignant novel about three generations of the Wise family—Evelyn, Laura, and Grace—as they hunt for contentment amid chaos of their own making." (Amazon) What I loved about this novel, is that we see how each woman tries to live her life on her own terms within the era setting they were living in. While at times the characters - primary and secondary- can appear unlikable they are also well written and realistic, in my opinion. This is an engaging and well-written novel and I highly recommended.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
jadior's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5